I agree that most parents (Malaysian, of course) are 'a curious breed indeed', as iterated by this one scholar (Farish, 2005:152). He says, "They produce children who never asked to be produced in the first place, and then demand - as their right - that their children grow up to be exactly what they wish them to be."
In view of this, I always seek to first understand, then to be understood. My youngest son, Zuhair, is now in year 1, primary school. He gets up at 6am; waits for Mdm Harban's van at 7am. He'll be in school for at least 3 hours (Sekolah Agama). He has less than 2 hours to get ready for the evening school. He will have to spend another 5 hours in school before he is back at home by 630pm. Then, he has about 10 minutes to get ready for al- Quran lesson and have dinner right after that, i.e before maghrib prayer. After dinner/maghrib, Zuhair will do his homework until 915pm. Sometimes, if he is still strong and fresh, he will watch tv for, say about 30 minutes, usually 'Dunia Baru' program. Then he goes to bed.
I used to spend hours on football pitch when I was at the same age as Zuhair... and I played badminton every night, usually after al-Quran lesson at the Madrasah Kuarters Penjara Taiping. Pity Zuhair.
