It’s funny how things change when you have a child. How you’re more aware of political manifestos that will affect your child and therefore how you vote.

I have to admit that I’m not in favour of Labour but a couple of weeks ago the Conservative Shadow Chancellor announced his budget busting idea that will affect me and therefore I won’t be voting for them either. They are planning to scrap the Child Benefit Scheme.

Before Nora arrived… I never considered having a baby and therefore always complain about paying benefit to people who has sex without contraception. But now, my thinking is, I pay my taxes and my NI therefore I’m just getting some money back from what I pump into this country for working my butt off. Compare to the taxes I pay in to the system, I’m not really getting much back. Maybe enough for some diapers.

Yesterday, there was an independent research that suggest that formal learning should start at six. This was rejected by the Labour government. At the moment, formal learning at school starts at four!! I do think that this is too young! Kids need time to play before they have to sit for tests and exams for the next 14 years!

Surely they should at least consider it before rejecting this idea of play before learning. The last time they change the age for children to go to school was sometime in 1870s. We’re not in the Victorian era any longer and most of the European countries have a later start and the kids are not losing out. Is it the British pride that is stopping them from considering the change? Oh no… we are better then them on the continent… and the mean time the children are stressed into formal education rather than enjoying their life.

In Malaysia, we start primary school at seven… and I’m doing fine. They say that some kids are advanced and would benefit learning how to read by four. I started reading early… and it’s not from formal school. I went to Kindergarten and mom encouraged me to read… Malay and English. By the time I got to school with all other kids, we are able to read and count and just get on with the curriculum.

I feel sad that when Nora is four, instead of finger painting ABCs she’ll be put in a uniform, tie and all, and have to sit still in a class rather than run around and create riots with her imagination.