What's wrong with parents nowadays?

I had just came back from tuition. Although it is after O-levels, I have some work to do over there. Then, on the way back home, I rushed to Popular Bookstore to get some foolscap paper. A long queue greeted me as I entered the store. i thought there was a big sale, such as 25% off all books. However, there were none. I finally found out that the people who queued were mostly adults. Ok,I expected that they bought some novel or self-improvement books for themselves.

Unfortunately, most were carrying assessment books and textbooks. Mainly primary school and secondary ones. Surely, those are parents who were very eager to purchase books for their children. I was flabbergasted by the sight of the people. What's wrong with those parents? It's only the start of holidays. School starts on the 2nd of January the following year! They have more than a month to buy the book, why rush? The parents can buy those books even after school reopens. I am certain the teachers will not deprive the students of learning just because they do not own a textbook yet.

Afraid that the books will run out of stocks? I remembered clearly one of my classmates parent claiming that he has to purchase the book early such that she will be able to buy it before the stocks run out. Well, think rationally. If the stocks run out, just inform the bookstore and they will order it for you. Just have to wait and for the time being, share textbooks when school reopens. I'm sure MOE teachers are not that anal-retentive to make it compulsory for the students to have a textbooks during the first few lessons.

Additionally, why must they rush to Popular Bookstore to purchase it? If I am not wrong, they could buy those textbooks in their children's school. Oh, I heard there is a big discount of 5% for textbooks, only for members. 5% ? Let's assume that the total price of the textbooks is $200. I would love to congratulate them for queueing up so long just to save $10. What a wise way of spending money. Well, some claimed bookshops are cheap as well.

Isn't Singapore an advanced country in terms of technology. Hello? http://www.epopular.com.sg/textbook. Heard of this website? or can just type "popular bookstore" in the famous search engine called google or yahoo. Just order it online and save time. Simple as that! Well, spend a bit more just to get those things delivered to your doorstep.

How bout those parents who purchased a lot of assessment books? I saw a woman carrying 3 english assessment books. Oh wow, learning for experience, for subjects such a english, assessment books don't really help much. Why not use the money to purchase some magazine such as times or News week. Kill two birds with one stone. Improve english and widen the student's knowledge. And exams are 4 months away! Are the parents seriously crazy?? Do they think the children have the mood to study during the holidays, when it is time for them to enjoy and have fun?

I would also love to see those children's face when the parents return home with plastic bag full of assessment books. They might be totally demoralised looking at those work they are going to do the following year. Well, the more zealous one will look through the books but how long can their zest last?

Once again, are those parents "kiasu" or just too enthusiastic about their child learning. I think the former describes them more, as my senses tell me. Parents should seriously plan before just charging out to bookstores to buy textbooks. This is like being in a war with no proper strategy.