Time is acting and I can see it the way Qinzhi grows into a teen. Pimples are popping out and the skin is getting shiny.

I see Qinzhi’s curves more and soon, she’ll be taller than me. She’s had her first taste of adulthood too experiencing the rite of the period.

Changes have been fast.

This month we continued to do sports on weekends.

We would walk to all sorts of places, like to Marina Bay and up the expressway.

We would walk to Tanjong Rhu and the stadium

After food, we would continue to scout for furniture.

Qinzhi did not do well for her end of year exams, passing only English. We asked Qinzhi if she wanted to repeat P5, but she didn’t want to. She wanted to go for the PSLE like her friends. And we are doing our best to support her.

Daddy went on zoom and purchased online tutorial packs, got a tutor for Qinzhi and we went to Popular to scout for assessment books.

We told Qinzhi, that we did not want ace results, we just wanted to work with Qinzhi to pass so that she did not have to spend extra time on the system.

Daddy was wise only to say that Qinzhi’s talent is being extremely perceptive and in the years ahead, this will be something precious as we stride into the world of Artificial Intelligence.

John said Qinzhi is a crystal child, a super crystal child. Extremely sensitive and perceptive and can feel immensely .

I had a go at that recently.

It was bedtime, and I went in to the kids bedroom, we chat . Huaihao asked what my mommy was like. I told him, Mommy cared for everyone else but herself.

And Huaihao went: “just like you.”

Qinzhi asked: “So did you daddy buy presents for your mommy?” I said not often.

To which Qinzhi replied, “so Dad must have inherited this from your dad because he seldom buys you presents too.”

I talked a little more about my mom. And Qinzhi who was in the dome for her usual routine, let out a cry.

I was surprised actually.

Perhaps I was fighting back my emotions, trying to keep it down, how much I still felt for mom.

These were apparent to Qinzhi obviously . I just couldn’t hide from her.

On the next afternoon, I had another fight with Huaihao. I almost couldn’t take it anymore and Qinzhi came out to help, disciplining her brother, “You should learn to cherish and treasure your mom do you even know?”

That’s Qinzhi.

I remember asking John recently, how to soothe Qinzhi’s temperaments, to which he said, “this is her, you cannot turn her into another person, but if she makes adjustments, she will be very successful in life.”

Qinzhi is that helpful and caring, when I was having an exchange with Huaihao’s teacher, she told me how impressed she was with Qinzhi, “Qinzhi really cares and protects for her brother a lot, she will come to class and remind her brother or tell me that he needs to hog to which gate during dismissal”

And I remember how Qinzhi would step up and protect Huaihao when he is naughty and angered his dad, who had no qualms about throwing him out of the house. Qinzhi fearing that her dad would, leapt out of bed and jumped to her brother’s defence, “Do you even know what time it is now? If you want to fight get out!”

That’s how she expresses her love for us.

She seemed to know when another person is in need of help. And she rises up to the occasion to save.

I see this trait in myself too . And I hope Qinzhi will do more to take care of herself or at least, do calculated moves.

And she must have done something wonderful , because she won the Character Champion title this year.

Qinzhi’s daddy says he just needs to help her get pass the benchmarks like PSLE and O’levels, and if there are ways to help her, he will go to these extents. Because he doesn’t care if she cannot do Math, but is mindful that we shouldn’t let kids go through the system which is made to serve propaganda and society’s needs—–but not the kid’s talent.

He feels that we should as parents, highlight and help her empathy and perceptive nature shine bigger brighter.

I m so glad and happy to hear of this wisdom.

So to celebrate her Character Champion award, (and this is the second one in primary school)—- I treated Qinzhi to Boba Tea, albeit a vegan version. And is so glad she likes it.

Intensifying efforts to get her on track for PSLE, we are starting this school holidays, but is mindful to not tip the balance and make playtime rest time.

By planning a time table.

And we also did not forget celebrations, this day, on ah mei ayi’s birthday. We had such a great chat with everyone at home and I m glad Qinzhi is comfortable speaking out her worries and fears to this circle of support.

Deep down, I have no doubts Qinzhi will succeed in life because of her kind nature, but in the process and in the system, we will still have to coach and push her so that she gets through.

Wishing you lots of light and love. May you be well and happy!