One thing which I learn from having lived in Bandar Seri Begawan for two years is the CAN-DO mindset.

My training ground was the school which my children attended. Being a very active school with many extra curricular activities (ECAs) and school events, both my children were involved in one or sometimes two performances in school shows from their first year there.

Our Fridays were rarely free and we were often in school from morning onwards.

It was troublesome and very tiring that in the beginning I was tempted to refuse every ECA. Just attend school and that’s it – nothing wrong with this, many parents do this too.

But when my eldest filled in a vacant spot for dancing group at the last minute (10 days before) and received praises for learning the steps so quickly AND won first prize, I had to give in to what was the right thing to do – allow them the opportunities to excel in other things besides academic.

It helped that my circle of fellow moms there had the same mindset.

Because of them, I learn to accept whatever was required of me – Let them perform for this show? Sure. Send them for practice at this time? No problem.

Here in their smaller school, some moms in my circle are not so accommodating.

Some balk at having to send their kids to every sessions – “You send them for practice every time?!!”. Teachers who dare try for perfection are snubbed – “Enough practice! Kids need to rest. ” (never mind that the teachers in charge were only trying to help the students do better).

Perhaps in time, I too will grow resistant to anything that means try-harder since there is not as much competition in this small school.

But at the moment, I practice all the lessons I learn from mothers in bigger school.

Hopefully my children will appreciate the benefits of being expected to work hard in every aspects of school life – and remember the fun they had performing on stage with glittery costumes and make-up!