Over my 24 years of homeschooling, I have experienced a profound personal transformation. What began as a journey focused on my daughters’ education gradually became a journey of my own — one that shifted me from a fixed mindset to a joyful, growth‑oriented way of living. I am deeply grateful that I chose to homeschool with authenticity and integrity. By leading through example rather than instruction alone, I earned the deepest love and respect from my daughter, Paris. Our d

Here is a simple summary of what Hong Kong homeschooling families usually do, based on my years of research and conversations with many parents. 1. Stealth homeschooling This means you do not report your homeschooling situation to the EDB. Most homeschooling families in Hong Kong choose this approach, especially Western homeschooling families. Homeschooling families usually use stealth homeschooling when: a. Their children are moving from an international school or private

Dear Professor Kamaludeen and Kalsum, On behalf of the entire Hong Kong homeschool community and the Hong Kong Homeschool Association, we extend our deepest gratitude for your generous sharing of your family’s homeschooling journey and wisdom from Singapore. As a husband‑and‑wife team who homeschool your own children, and with Professor Kamaludeen’s academic insight from Nanyang Technological University, you offered our community a rare and meaningful blend of lived exper

Dear Dawn and Teresa, On behalf of the entire Hong Kong homeschool community and the Hong Kong Homeschool Association, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for your generous sharing of your Fairbanks (Alaska, USA) homeschooling experience and knowledge through our Homeschool Education Talks (HET). Your willingness to offer your insights across continents has brought warmth, clarity, and inspiration to many families in Hong Kong. Your stories and practical wisdom have broaden

Dear Dr. Meenakshi, On behalf of the entire Hong Kong homeschool community, we extend our deepest gratitude for your generous sharing of American homeschool knowledge through our Homeschool Education Talks (HET). Your willingness to offer your expertise so openly has brought a powerful light to many families in Hong Kong and mainland China. Your insights have not only broadened our educators’ understanding of international homeschooling practices, but have also strengthen

Our homeschool community’s visit to the science museum was a wonderful opportunity for students to explore physics through hands-on learning during the field trip. The experience was made even more special as it was guided by my good friend, Dr. Samuel. For me, true happiness comes from seeing the smiles on the faces of the homeschool students as they discover and enjoy the world of science.

1. Paris – At age 15, after completing four years of homeschooling, Paris was admitted in 2022 to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. She is pursuing a double major in Physics and Artificial Intelligence. 2. Mia – In 2020, Mia was accepted to Dean College in the United States, where she is majoring in History. She also received an offer from The Education University of Hong Kong to study for a Bachelor of Social Science in Greater China Studies. 3. Vedant Chatlani – At age

Today’s homeschool meet‑up was filled with warmth, joy, and a wonderful sense of community! hsa.hk Prayer for Homeschooling in Hong Kong Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts, lifting up the families of Hong Kong who long to nurture their children through homeschooling. We thank You for the gift of education and the freedom to guide young minds with love, wisdom, and truth. Lord, we see how many nations have recognized homeschooling as a legitimate path, g

Dear Rhory, On behalf of the Hong Kong Homeschool Association, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude for the free English lesson you so generously offered to our students via Zoom. Your kindness shines a bright light for our community. It not only enriches the minds of our students but also lights up their faces with beautiful smiles and ignites their passion for learning. The joy and confidence you brought into the session will continue to inspire them long after the

Our Hong Kong Homeschool Association free English lesson this Saturday will be lively and engaging, with nearly 20 students taking part. ​I lead the Hong Kong Homeschool Association purely for social good without self benefits, providing FREE support to educationally marginalized students despite both internal and external challenges. The journey has been tough, but the rewarding outcomes are already beginning to emerge. ​I hold firm to my principle that authentic leadership

In traditional education, children are often overwhelmed by demanding learning activities and tightly packed schedules. But have we noticed that parents are just as stressed—constantly paying monthly tuition fees for endless classes, programs, and expectations? And what happens when that stress builds up? Tiger mums, helicopter mums, angry mums—each trying to hold it all together, yet unintentionally turning a once peaceful home into a daily battlefield. If you’ve alread

A Reflection by Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien (Homeschool educator with 24 years of hands-on experience in multicultural settings; homeschool researcher and author in Hong Kong; sole homeschool teacher who guided her daughter through their homeschooling journey to successful admission into a local university at the age of 15) In the past, I actively encouraged educational researchers to explore homeschooling in Hong Kong. I believed that thoughtful research could help expand the lit

在香港，許多父母都希望孩子成績優異、考上好學校。這種想法讓「虎媽式教育」十分普遍——嚴格管教、要求服從、重視分數。然而，香港的賴美琪博士（Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien）在教養女兒 Paris 的過程中，發現了一種更溫柔、更有效的方式，她稱之為「錦鯉媽正向教養」。 虎媽的方式 虎媽通常會： - 安排大量補習和課外活動 - 要求孩子聽話、遵守規矩 - 將成績視為最重要的指標 這樣的方式雖然可能讓孩子表現出色，但也容易造成過度壓力與自信心不足。 錦鯉媽的方式 賴博士選擇以在家教育的方式親自教導女兒 Paris。她如同錦鯉般，在混亂的環境中保持平靜，以愛與理解陪伴 Paris 的成長。 錦鯉媽的教養方式包括： - 以愛與耐心引導孩子 - 理解孩子的感受與困難（同理心） - 給予孩子探索與成長的空間 - 接納孩子獨特的成長步伐與性格 - 以愛與幽默與孩子互動與對話 結果，Paris 在 15 歲時從在家教育順利升學進入大學，而且是一位快樂、有韌性的學生。 教養的真正目標 賴博士認為，教養不只是讓孩子成績優秀，更重要的是讓

“Children don’t follow advice — they follow example. When words and actions clash, trust shatters.”— © Koi Mum by Dr Lai Mei Kei Vivien This quote from Koi Mum reminds us that children don’t just listen to what adults say—they watch what adults do. If a parent says one thing but acts differently, the child gets confused. Over time, this can break trust. But here’s the good news: even mistakes can become powerful teaching moments. The Wisdom of the Koi Fish In Chinese cult

Let’s be clear from the start: choosing homeschooling does not mean your child will never return to school. This is a common misconception in Hong Kong — that homeschooling is a permanent decision or a rejection of traditional education. But that’s not the case. Homeschooling can be a temporary, restorative path — a bridge, not a destination. It’s not about replacing or competing with schools. It’s about giving children the space they need to heal, reconnect, and rebuild.

In Hong Kong’s competitive school system, students are taught—explicitly and implicitly—that success means perfection. A score of 95% is not a triumph, but a trigger for criticism. Parents ask, “Why not 100?” or “Why didn’t you come first?” even when their child ranks second in class. Teachers, under pressure themselves, often reinforce this mindset through rankings, rigid grading, and public comparisons. This culture breeds fear and hesitation. Students begin to equate the

In the quiet rhythm of homeschooling her daughter Paris, Dr. Lai Mei Kei Vivien discovered something profound: parenting is not merely about teaching — it’s about transformation. Amid textbooks and daily lessons, a deeper wisdom began to unfold. It was within this intentional journey that the seeds of 慧舍樂 (Huì shě lè) were planted — a philosophy that reimagines positive parenting through the lens of wisdom, detachment, and joy. What Is 慧舍樂 ( WisdomDetachJoy )? 慧舍樂 is a po

When people talk about homeschooling, one of the most common concerns raised is time management. Without the structure of a traditional school day, how can children stay disciplined? Isn’t too much free time risky? These are valid questions. But in my experience, time management in homeschooling doesn’t have to look like a rigid schedule. In fact, it can be something much more powerful: self-leadership. When I homeschooled my daughter Paris, I didn’t manage or micromanage

Are all students in traditional schools naturally social butterflies? And what does it truly mean to be “well-socialized”? Does it mean being able to get along with everyone, no matter what? Let’s pause and reflect. Many students in schools struggle with socialization—not because they lack the ability, but because the environment itself can be toxic. Bullying, peer pressure, exclusion, and negative friendship circles are real and common. Can we still call that “healthy soci

My daughter Paris transitioned from homeschooling to university at just 15 years old. Naturally, people are curious. They often ask, “How did she do it?” Was she buried in textbooks all day, grinding through endless lessons like a studying machine? But the truth? She sleeps well. She plays freely. She socializes. She reads for joy. She watches her favorite videos. Her life is full—not just of learning, but of living. So how does she do it? How can a child thrive acad