This weekend, we're partying. Like bring out the streamers and party horns, break out the champagne partying.
On the morning of July 1st, our son received the results of his final year school exams. He placed in the top 15% in our country, defying immense odds, and has been accepted to continue studies at the school of his choice. I am drunk with joy. And I wear the extra gray hairs I acquired working with him during this entire ordeal with pride.
Pandemic Learning
Our son is not the average learner. He is what most students would and have described as difficult. He's like Diary of a Wimpy Kid's Greg Heffley, always devising some 'clever' plan, always in a scrape.
As a mother, I've been called into his school more times than I care to count.
When the pandemic came around and our schools were moved to online study, I was working on a consultancy that was time consuming and very demanding. His father was also employed and away from home. Our son's grades plummeted.
The Choice
At the end of 2021, he had failed all exams. His lessons teacher had checked out, his school teachers had thrown their hands in the air. They had all determined that he was a lost cause. But he was our son and I knew that he could succeed. And so, I had to make a choice- my job or my child's future. I quit the job.
His dad and I sat and discussed the next course of action and we agreed that I would tutor our son on my own and that together we would weather the fallout from my unemployment. It was hard. It's been hard. But we had a goal.
Parenting Partnership
Every day for the three months before his final exams- January to March- my husband went out and got books and past papers, stationery, etc., any material that I asked for, and I sat together with our son and worked every single day. We fought every single day. He was sullen most days, I was frustrated. It felt like going to a dentist to have teeth extracted without anesthetic. I grew gray. My hair came out in patches. I went to bed with migraines every night.
A Glimmer of Success
By the end of the first month though, he was beginning to pass his exams. It was a low pass, of course, but it was a pass and my husband and I were happy. Most importantly, our son began to adjust to our new schedule. He was still sullen, but he acquiesced to my requests and did the work asked, albeit with a lot of grumbling.
Bright like a Diamond
By the end of the second month, he was averaging 70% in mock exams. My husband and I dared not hope for too much. We did not want to give voice to our expectations, we didn't want to jinx the moment, we didn't want our son running in the opposite direction. But we sent air high fives and smiled at each other over our son's head triumphantly.
At the end of the third month, it was time for exams. By that time, his marks had edged into the 80s. We were happy. It was more than we had hoped for.
And so final day came, exam day came, my son went in, did what he had to do, came back out, and the waiting began. We waited for three months for results to be released.
Moment of Reckoning
The results came out yesterday, Friday July 1st. Parents were allowed to log into a portal to access the required information.
My friends, the anticipation was unbearable. Eventually though, we were able to access his information, and I've been on a high ever since.
It's a Celebration!!
HE DID IT. He did what we knew he could do. He excelled! He moved from a child at risk of promotion to the nation's top 15%. Our baby is beside himself with joy. The sullenness is out the window, the Sun is here and it shines soooo bright. My baby hasn't stopped smiling, and it's the most beautiful thing to see.
My friends, I am sooooooooooooo proud!!! As parents, we are so proud.
Little secret: there were a few colleagues and relatives who judged and whispered about my decision to quit my job. Stupid thing to do in a pandemic, they said. Their opinion was stifling. I am so glad that we stood our ground, whatever the cost, and invested in our children. They are our future. They have their entire lives ahead. They are legacy. A few extra coins can never compensate for their future lives. This moment, this is payment enough. I feel rich. I feel like the wealthiest mom in the world!! I'm happy!
And so, my friends, to quote Pharrell Williams:
"It might seem crazy what I am about to say
Sunshine, she's here, you can take a break
I'm a hot air balloon that could go to space..."
Let's crank out the music!
