About Me｜Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien

Doctor of Education & Doctor of Business Administration 

Institut Brittany d'Enseignement Supérieur(France), appointed tutor for DBA, EdD, MBA, PDBA

Founder of the Hong Kong Homeschool Association &  Waterway Parenting & Leadership Frameworks｜Positive Parenting Consultant｜Parent Emotional Navigator｜Academic Advisor

 

I am Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien—an educator, a mother, and a pioneer of homeschooling in Hong Kong. My journey in education has never been confined to classrooms or textbooks. I believe that education is not merely the transmission of knowledge, but a profound connection of emotions, values, and human growth. It is a journey of life—one that begins with empathy, is sustained by resilience, and blossoms through love.

 

With doctoral degrees in both Education and Business Administration, I have spent years advocating for personalized learning and building holistic family support systems. My work centers on positive parenting and emotional education, helping parents and children find strength in pressure and hope in adversity. I have always believed that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and understood—not just as a student, but as a whole person.

 

A Journey Rooted in Love

My homeschooling journey in Hong Kong began not with a theory or a plan, but with a letter. At the age of ten, my daughter Paris was struggling deeply in the traditional school system. She felt out of place, emotionally drained, and disconnected from the joy of learning. One day, she handed me a handwritten letter, pleading to be homeschooled. It was not just a request—it was a cry for help.

 

As a mother, I was heartbroken. As an educator, I was awakened. I didn’t dismiss her feelings or tell her to “be strong” and “push through.” Instead, I chose to listen. I chose to feel her pain, to honor her voice, and to walk beside her. That moment marked the beginning of a courageous and transformative journey—one that would challenge societal norms, legal boundaries, and personal limits.

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At the time, homeschooling in Hong Kong was virtually unheard of. It wasn’t just unfamiliar—it was widely perceived as illegal by the general public, despite its existence in a legal grey area. Choosing this path meant stepping into uncertainty, facing social scrutiny, and navigating isolation. Yet, I held onto a simple but powerful belief: every child deserves a joyful childhood and a genuine smile. I chose love as my compass, and that decision changed everything.

 

Teaching with Heart and Purpose

Throughout the homeschooling process, I personally taught Paris every subject. I was not just her mother—I was her sole instructor, mentor, and emotional anchor. We built a curriculum tailored to her interests, strengths, and emotional needs. We learned through dialogue, exploration, and trust. It was not always easy, but it was always meaningful.

 

Paris thrived. At the age of fifteen, she was admitted to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University—a milestone that symbolized not just academic achievement, but emotional healing and personal empowerment. Her success became a beacon of possibility for other families, showing that alternative paths can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

 

Over the years, I have extended this personalized teaching approach to other students. One remarkable example is a student who, under my guidance, completed A-level Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, and Physics in just seven months. He earned 2 A*s and 1 A—all by the age of fifteen. These results are not just numbers—they are stories of transformation, resilience, and belief.

 

Research, Writing, and Advocacy

My contributions to homeschooling and parenting education go beyond teaching practice. I have authored two in-depth research papers and a widely acclaimed book, blending academic theory with real-life experience. These works offer parents clear strategies, legal insights, and expert guidance, empowering them to make informed decisions with confidence.

 

I believe that knowledge should be shared, not stored. That’s why I write extensively about homeschooling, emotional education, and parenting. My articles are published on platforms such as hsa.hk, reaching families who are searching for clarity, support, and inspiration. I also offer free IGCSE Maths classes to homeschoolers and out-of-school youth, ensuring that education remains accessible and inclusive.

 

In addition, I actively collaborate with professionals across disciplines to launch meaningful initiatives that strengthen the homeschooling ecosystem. These projects aim to build sustainable support networks, promote emotional resilience, and bridge the gap between families and educational institutions.

 

A Moment of Reflection

Sometimes I ask myself: What if I hadn’t listened to Paris? What if I had responded like many parents do, saying, “You need to be strong. School is your responsibility. Everyone has to face it.” What would her life have become?

 

Would she have been another teenager silently suffering, walking into school each day with a heavy heart, appearing fine on the outside but crumbling within? Would she have become withdrawn, shut down, or refused to attend school altogether? Would we have seen a young person drowning in emotional despair, crushed by grades and expectations?

 

These questions are not hypothetical—they reflect the reality of many families in Hong Kong. In a society that often prioritizes achievement over well-being, children’s emotional needs are frequently overlooked. Parents, too, feel trapped—pressured to conform, unsure how to respond, and afraid to choose differently.

 

But education should not be merely an extension of the system. It must also be a source of emotional care, soulful support, and human connection. It must be flexible enough to honor individuality, and strong enough to nurture resilience.

 

Serving with Purpose

Today, I serve as a Positive Parenting Consultant, Parent Emotional Navigator, and Academic Advisor. I offer voluntary support to families seeking guidance in homeschooling, parenting, and academic development. Through consultations, published articles, public talks, sharing sessions, and free IGCSE Maths classes, I strive to make education more accessible, inclusive, and emotionally supportive.

 

I also work closely with professionals to initiate projects that address the emotional and academic needs of children and families. These collaborations aim to build bridges—between parents and educators, between systems and individuals, between knowledge and empathy.

 

My goal is not to oppose the existing education system, but to complement it. I believe that family education and emotional support can enrich the learning experience, reduce emotional distress, and create healthier environments for growth. When families and schools work together, children thrive—not just academically, but emotionally and socially.

 

A Vision for the Future

I believe that the transformation of a single family can ripple across society. A moment of genuine understanding can lift the emotional weight carried by a child, and one courageous choice can ignite hope in the realm of youth emotional wellness.

 

My mission is to support families, collaborate with the education sector, and advocate for greater awareness and meaningful action in parenting education and student emotional health. I envision a future where children are not just taught, but truly understood. Where parents are not just responsible, but empowered. Where education is not just a system, but a shared journey of growth, healing, and connection.

 

This is not just my story—it is a movement. A movement rooted in empathy, driven by courage, and sustained by love. Whether you are a parent, educator, policymaker, or simply someone who cares about the well-being of children, I invite you to walk with me. Together, we can build a more compassionate and resilient future—one family, one child, one choice at a time.