Dear Parents,

I hope you and your family are having a wonderful summer!

Lately, I have been watching a gripping Korean drama on Netflix called ‘Teach You a Lesson’ (鐵拳教育). While it is mostly an action-packed show, episode 8 really struck a chord with me as an educator, and I felt compelled to share some reflections with you all.

The episode followed a group of well-meaning but intensely driven parents who emotionally blackmailed their children to cram day and night, all to secure a spot at an elite medical school. They weaponized guilt, constantly reminding their children of how much they had "sacrificed" for them. In a powerful turn of events, the protagonist forces a mother to take the gruelling entrance exam herself. She flunks completely, and receives a profound reality check: she was forcing her own unfulfilled dreams onto her child, and it was the child who was making the real sacrifice all along.

The episode ends beautifully when the son decides to choose his own path and gently tells his mother: "Please start living for yourself."

Seeing this story made me think deeply about the incredible kids we see at our learning centre every single day. It reminded me of a few gentle truths that I believe are so important for us to remember as we raise these children:

Children are not a canvas for our unfinished dreams: It is natural to want the absolute best for our kids, but they aren't tools meant to fulfil the goals we didn't quite reach in our own youth.

Every child is unique: Each and every one of your children has a special gift. Some are natural logicians, while others are brilliant creatives. If a child's true passion is to be an artist, forcing them to become a doctor will only dim their unique light.

Let children live their own lives: True success isn't a specific job title or an elite university acceptance letter; it’s a child growing up to be a resilient, happy, and self-actualized adult who pursues their own dreams.

Parents deserve to live their own lives, too: You have sacrificed so much for your family, but your identity doesn't end at being a parent. When you pursue your own hobbies, passions, and dreams, you model a healthy, fulfilled life for your children.

Our goal at E-Smart is to give your children the tools to express themselves confidently and find their own voice in the world. We are so grateful to partner with you in nurturing not just great students, but happy, whole individuals.

Thank you for trusting us with your wonderful children. Let’s continue to support them in discovering exactly who they want to be!