Most of the time, it is the young students who cry on their first day in preschool but parents can get emotional, too!
Over four months ago, it was previously known that 987FM DJ Gerald Koh cried when he sent off his two-year-old daughter, Gemma, on her first day of preschool. After the school tears, where are they now?
In a recent interview with DJ Gerald, this 39-year-old dad shared with theAsianparent how they have been after the said emotional moment as a parent.
He answered: “She’s [Gemma] actually having quite a bit of fun as she’s always looking forward to going to school every day. Hence, it really wasn’t that hard to see her start her preschool now.”
DJ Gerald also shared that he and his wife, Thia Zhi Xin, were initially not quite sure if they were ready to send Gemma to preschool, who was 18 months back then.
This Mediacorp personality added: “We asked around and the majority of our friends actually highly recommended we start Gemma young, especially when she is the only child and may not be able to interact with kids around her age.”
Seeking advice from 987 jock Natasha
There’s no doubt that the DJs at 987FM station have built strong friendships that go beyond work. Some of the DJs in there are also parents, like DJ Natasha, who he asks for advice from time to time:
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“She’s always the first person I get advice from when it comes to parenting! Natasha’s little one is about a year younger than Gemma so it’s actually perfect timing to get hints and advice.”
“I remember asking her about labelling for her water bottle, school uniform, and bag because I was completely clueless!”
Crying on his daughter’s first day of preschool
Photo from 987FM DJ Gerald Koh
Time flies so fast! Many parents can relate when today they struggle to put their newborn to sleep, and then the next thing they know, their kids are in preschool, starting their academic life with their little bags and shoes.
This is exactly what was playing on DJ Gerald’s mind while he was looking at his daughter mingling among other kids during her first day.
He reminisced that he was pretty much ready to calm her toddler from her “expected” crazy wailing. However, Gemma did not bat an eye, kept her head straightforward and blended in with new friends. He is certainly raising a strong girl!
“I was expecting at least some form of yearning for daddy to carry her, or perhaps that constant lookout for where I was when I decided to hide to see if she was going to be fine alone.”
“Nope. She was too independent, and I was unprepared for that sudden independence. It was just 3 or 4 months ago when we celebrated her first step. No, I was not ready!”, the radio DJ added.
DJ Gerald’s fears about enrolling his child in preschool at a young age
With the initial hesitation of the couple in enrolling their child in preschool, DJ Gerald shared that fears and worries couldn’t get off their minds back then.
He recounts: “Thoughts like will she be able to handle friends? Will she be bullied because she’s going to be the youngest in class as she is a November baby? Is her body ready for the flu bugs and the constant health strains she is going to have once she starts school?”
“I guess there wasn’t really much prep per se, but more of learning and navigating through the challenges along the way.”
He is afraid to come out as a tiger parent
Tiger parenting may be the style of some parents but not for DJ Gerald—this is not exactly what he envisions himself as a father.
He explained: “I was afraid I would be one of those parents who probably start their kids really young just so that they can get a head start in terms of education—like I was really worried she might be too stressed out or something.”
Instead, this radio DJ loves to encourage his child to be genuinely curious about things. He even told a glimpse of his childhood story:
“I remember how my parents and aunt were very willing to answer everything I was curious about. I wasn’t told to keep quiet or stop asking stupid questions. It was because of what I experienced when I was a little boy, that got me to be pretty confident today. So, I would like Gemma to ask all the questions. I might regret it when she hits her speaking age… but yes!”
His tip for parents who will see their child starting preschool soon
“Every kid is different. Never compare. Enjoy the rides to and from school, and take as many videos as you can to capture moments. I’ve got over a hundred videos so far of our journeys to school, as well as when we are picking her up after school!”
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DJ Gerald Koh can be heard every weekday from 5 PM to 8 PM at Mediacorp 987 FM‘s Get Out with Gerald, Kim & Maya.