Childhood in Modern Times

Met up with an ex-colleague for lunch today. Ex meaning that he has tendered and left for better prospect.

So it was lunch and talk cock, about people we knew, and how life has been recently for both of us. And of course I ask how his family was.

Like clockwork he took out his phone and go "Nah..see cute right?" And in my face was a photo of his wife and daughter (about 1 and a half year old) (Yes, "cute" refers to the daughter, not the wife)

"So cute! " (what else do you expect me to reply..but ok la, his girl really quite cute :p)

And then he started telling me that his daughter is going for some japanese enrichment classes on sat.

"HUH?! What japanese enrichment class? Need meh?"

"OK la, she enjoy can already"

"Oh..so you two can leave her in class then go pak tor right?"

"No la..the parents must be around with her..bonding mah."

"But she so young..she understand meh?"

"Ok la..if not will lose out a lot one you know. You remember xxxx? He told me that when his elder daughter started school, the teacher told him that his daughter slower than the rest ..they can only afford to slow down the class for her by so much. So now he send his younger daughter to all the enrichment classes also. Better lor"

"Oh..when his elder daughter went kindergaten arh?

"No, playschool"



WHAT HAPPENED TO CHILDHOOD?!?!