A Check-In from a PSLE Mom-Teacher
From a Teacher Mom
PERSONAL THOUGHTS & SHARING
written by Shirleen Tan
Founder of Sowing Seedz
“Am I giving you stress, K?” I asked my Primary 6 son this Sunday afternoon.
It wasn’t just a casual question. It was a necessary pause.
As a parent and teacher, I find myself constantly walking a tightrope — balancing my professional expectations with my role as a mother. It’s easy to fall into the trap of pushing too hard without realising it, especially during this PSLE year. But checking in with my child helps me stay grounded in his reality, not mine.
I asked the question a few more times, just to be sure.
Thankfully, he shook his head each time. “Not stress,” he replied, “just anxious.”
His words came after he got back his English and Science results — not what I had hoped for, especially since he usually performs well when I test him at home. The gap between home-based and school-based performance got me wondering: Was I unintentionally putting pressure on him?
Instead of continuing to push content, I decided to pull back — and simply ask what he needed. His answer? “Just spend time with me over the weekends. And help me when I have questions.”
It was a reminder I needed: that support during exam season isn’t just academic. It’s emotional, relational, and consistent.
Conclusion:
In the rush of PSLE prep, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters — connection. Our children don’t need us to be perfect teachers or parents. They need us to be present. And sometimes, the best revision plan is simply to sit beside them and ask, “How can I help?”
Sometimes, that makes all the difference.