Proud of her

Today was a big day! Not only did The Toddler start at her new school, we also had another celebration!

The matric results were announced!

Our daughter got four distinctions. She missed one by 1%, and is going to ask for it to be remarked!

I am so proud of her! She worked hard, and she's got something to show for it!

There are some of the top achievers who say that it comes easily, and one even said "Because I can!" (he got 12 distinctions)...
But most have to work for it!

What I also admire of my daughter is that she is well-balanced.
She takes time to spend with her boyfriend and friends, she loves reading, and she loves keeping active...
I could not have wished for more!

She is extremely excited to start her new year at varsity!
A new chapter is beginning for her this year!


Well done, my girl!

Related posts:
Grade 12 - the stress is getting to me
Officially unemployed
How do moms do exams?

(Photo: Elise du Toit Photography)

Officially unemployed

The last matric paper was written yesterday!
Finished! Done! Final! Never again!

"Ma skryf matriek" has come to an end!

The last day of school clothes!
The end of an era!
The closing of a chapter!
The reaching of a gynormous milestone!

(It is a bit sad! For me!)

My daughter is moving on!

They have a joke going around that they are now "officially unemployed"!

But she is sorted for next year! Can I call her a "student" now?

The registrations for university has been done! The first payments (ouch!) have been done!

She is on her way...

I am so proud and so happy for her!

It happened so quickly!
(Much too soon for this mother...)



Photo: Patrick Pretorius at Photostyle.

How do moms do exams?

The final year in school, and the preliminary exams are in full swing for the Teen.

What can moms do to help their children? I feel extremely helpless.
I cannot take the burden of studying away from her!
She needs to get high scores (no pressure here!), because it will impact on bursaries for her studies next year. We need it!

A mother’s list in times of children’s exams:

• Lots of positive encouragement and support;

• Show a keen interest, and know what she is writing every day;

• Give her some slack with regards household chores;

• Keep things peaceful and the routine going at home;

• Buy some extra brain vitamins;

• Prepare brain food, such as fish and fruit and vegetables;

• Ensure some extra healthy snacks for study times at home, as well as between examination papers;

• Believe in her;

• Shoulder and back massages for back spasms;

• I used to get up with my daughter when she was smaller, to go over her study material with her. I can make sure she gets up earlier when she wants to go over her study material now.

Do you have any more advice?

Photo: Patrick Pretorius Photography

Grade 12 – the stress is getting to me!

The last year of school is a lot harder than I can remember... It definitely feels a lot more stressful going through it with The Teen than when I was in high school.

We did not worry about good grades as much as they do now. The grades are being submitted to the universities already! So much decisions and choices have to be made this year! And is it going to be the right ones?

Maybe because I know that in years later we question ourselves about our careers choices later one in life? The choice of higher learning institutions also seems to be a huge headache.  I knew where I wanted to go, and went! Now it is not as easy as that... We have to verify the standards of the different institutions as well!

Then there is the French tour that’s finally just around the corner... I am going to be just as relieved when The Teen finally steps on that plane. So many things to do yet before that happen...

And I feel sorry for The Teen who comes home and has to sit with tons of homework at night and weekends. The photo was taken with The Toddler also doing some “homework” with The Teen in her room on Saturday. She was there for at least an hour, which is quite a feat for our Toddler! Our hardworking Teen seems to have an impact on the Little One!

Mother is stressing big time!