“I gradually understand that to be families just means to watch each other’s back go away constantly. You are watching him disappear at the turning while you are standing at the end of the path.”——Yingtai Long
To realize the XLIS parents “lifelong learning” concept from theory to practice, and to provide a broader exchange platform for parents, Xi’an Liangjiatan International School has successfully held the first “Parent Talk” in the black box on March 25th! The three parent representatives shared their experiences of parenting and family communication with nearly 90 parents, and discussed how to better develop the growth of students’ physical and mental health as parents.
The “Parent Talk” was hosted by Yijie Chen, the chairman of XLIS Parent Teacher Association. And three parent speakers from Ireland, China and South Korea took the stage to talk about how to get along with children at different stages of growth.
To Witness the Power of Leading by Example
Mrs. Kirsten Lalor
The Mother of P4 Zoe Lalor, P2 Eliyah Lalor, and ECEB Saoirse Lalor
Topic: Creating Caring Connections
Bob Keeshan once said :”Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word, movement and action has an effect. No other person or outside force has a greater influence on a child than the parent.”
Mrs. Kirsten’s family is the faithful practitioner of this quote. In her eyes, it is duty-bound for every parent to help children establish their self-discipline skills and cultivate them to become open-minded individuals. The healthy relationship between parents and children is the basis for children to establish healthy relationships with others in the future.
In the speech, she not only shared the importance of adequate sleep and quality companionship for children’s growth, but also suggested that the courage to apologize and learn to forgive is an indispensable lesson in life. And with parents’ everlasting love along the growth, there comes out the healthy, positive child.
As Mrs. Kirsten said:” Children who grow up feeling loved will also believe that they deserve to be loved and believe in their worth. That is because of before they learn to believe in themselves, it is the unconditional trust of parents that gives them invincible power .”
A Letter to My Son – The Best Coming-of-age Present for Him
Mrs. Cassie Chen
The mother of DP2 Roy Larmour
Topic: Growing with Your Child
Mrs. Cassie Chen’s speech began with a homemade video. In the video, she showed how her son, Roy, has grown up from a naive infant to this young man with broad interests and excellent on study who is ready to go to university.
In March, Roy was successfully admitted to world-famous universities such as Parsons School of Design, Chicago Academy of Arts, Rhode Island Design Institute and the University of California-Los Angeles. When asked how to cultivate such an outstanding child, Mrs. Cassie Chen admitted that the way is to be the best friend and confidant of the child and give him the simplest love and companionship.
Mrs. Cassie Chen also shared a letter she wrote to her son on his 18th birthday in 2020. In the letter, she not only described Roy’s growing up stories with her accompany along the way, but also put forward new expectations for her newly grown son. She thanked her son for the countless happy, warm and touching moments he had brought to her for the past 18 years, and expressed that his son was the best gift God had given her in life.
Mrs. Cassie Chen has always believed that only growing up with children can cultivate the best of the children. Mutual respect and companionship can eventually achieve a close parent-child relationship.
Having Difficulties Adapting New Environment?
Korean Mom Overcome Adversity with Joint Collaboration of Home & School
Mrs. Kate Yi
The mother of M4 Kwang Hyun Park and 2020 Graduates Sungjin Park
Topic: Supporting in a Different Environment
Korean mom Mrs. Kate Yi has lived with her family in Xi’an for seven years and she is no longer a stranger here. And whenever she recalls the days when she first arrived in Xi’an, she could not help tearing up because her children could not adapt to the new environment which made it more difficult in a foreign country.
Mrs. Kate told everyone at present about the experience of sending her children to three different international schools in Xi’an. Although she encountered a lot of resistance and often had to face the unexpected emotional problems of her children, she continued to communicate with the school. With the help of teachers, she finally overcame the difficulties with her children and adapted to the new learning environment. During the speech, Mrs.Kate mentioned several times the importance of home-school communication and the need for parents to participate in school activities, emphasizing that only when home and school trust one another, can we make great achievements in the quality of children’s education.
The “Parent Talk” lasted only about an hour, the parents presented were actively involved and listened carefully to each speaker’s experience of parenting stories and among them, many parents were deeply touched with tears rolling down. It is believed that in the process of family education, whether it is the extra detour or the successful experience, the empathy between parents is the most precious experience that parents have gained.
The first “Parent Talk” is an absolute success, and from now on, the “Parents Talk” will become our school’s monthly regular activity. The second event is expected to be held at the end of April and is under intense preparation at the moment. All XLIS parents are welcome to sign up and share your family education stories with us.
Family education has no fixed template, love is the only answer.
