We were in Savemore one time, Kiel sitting on the push cart while we were grocery shopping. There's this elderly woman who keeps on glancing at us. Indi na ata nakatiis, she approached us and asked,

"nag-aaral na yan?"

She was referring to Kiel who was wearing his school uniform. It's been a week now since he started schooling and it's not uncommon for us anymore to receive this kind of question, as well as those questioning eyes. Most have that look of amusement, some has that look of pity for him.

Aside from the fact that he is barely 2 years old, he is also small for his age. So with him in a uniform almost always elicits a question of confirmation. We would then be quick to say that he is enrolled in a toddler class specific for his age (2-3 year olds).

"masyado pa siyang bata para pag-aralin..."

"maagang magsasawa sa school yan..."

"nagsasayang lang kayo ng pera"

"kawawa naman, nag-aaral na agad. Dapat laro lang muna ginagawa niya sa bahay..."

So why did we send Kiel to school at an early age? Main reason was for him to start socializing with other people aside from us. Based on our experience whenever we're out, when someone looks at him or notices him, he will slump on the floor and bow his head until someone he knows would come to his aid.

If you can imagine a turtle na nagtatago sa bahay niya, ganung ganun siya kamahiyain. One time we were at an appliance store and he was freely walking around. When he saw me, he smiled and ran towards me. However, a couple crossed in between us while he was running. Bigla na lang siyang tumigil at sumalampak sa sahig, while bowing his head. See? Ibang iba talaga siya compared to other kids his age.


Also, some kids his age has started talking. He on the other hand, hasn't uttered a single word yet. He hasn't even called me 'Mama' yet. Huhu, so sad. Somehow I feel guilty why he's been this way -- I am NOT a hands on mom. The truth is he spends more time with his yaya more than me.

I work nightshift and it makes me envy other parents who are able to read and talk to their child before bedtime. At daytime when he is actively playing, I am asleep. That means less time for me to teach him.

I am aware that a child's  development heavily depends on how his parents taught and raised him. Sadly, I am a failure. (Though I'm not denying my shortcomings as a mother to him, it still makes me sad when people, especially my family, criticize me for Kiel being delayed compared to kids his age, some even younger than him.)

Given the current situation, we think that by sending him to school he can catch up. A teacher who will consistently teach him would be a great help. Currently he goes to school daily (weekdays only) at 3  hours a day. It's actually no pressure for him since he just plays and interacts with other kids.

Slowly the teacher will be teaching him the alphabets, numbers, shapes, etc at his own pace soon. If he wants to sleep, there is a sleeping mat. He can eat his snacks anytime he is hungry. His yaya is always with him going to school. The yaya just need to be away from him during those 3 hours so he won't get distracted.

He is actually excited to change into his school uniform everyday and is always in a hurry to go out to wait for his school service.

He looks so cute wearing his tiny uniform matched with his tiny school shoes, hehe.

The kids at school loves him and calls him 'baby'. Some even feel protective of him. I was told there's this nursery girl who stays by his side most of the time. She guards the slide so that Kiel alone can play. This way he can't be harmed by other big kids. She also sings for him when he cries. Haha, so cute of her!