Category Archives: education

The end is the beginning

Posted on March 31, 2016 by MThomas

Our daughter is now leaving nursery school. From her birth to my wife’s maternity leave to my paternity leave, from building a new house to finishing a doctorate to switching jobs, from one daughter to another (who’s a completely different … Continue reading →

Posted in coming of age, education, Japan, Japanese, parenting, school | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“Dutch backpacks” in Japan

Posted on February 26, 2016 by MThomas

It’s the end of February, and our oldest daughter is nearing the end of her nursery school experience. What a ride it’s been. Now she and her classmates are learning the “goodbye, our nursery school,” song which they will sing … Continue reading →

Posted in education, Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese society, parenting, school | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Summer Festival: Beat your own drum!

Posted on July 19, 2015 by MThomas

Four months ago, we gave away our long-used/abused baby barriers. Yesterday, we helped our children celebrate their nursery school’s summer festival. Time flies… Once again, my wife volunteered to be a member of the Ai-go-kai (愛護会, literally “love protection association,” … Continue reading →

Posted in education, festivals, Japan, Japanese culture, Japanese society, parenting, school, summertime | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment