When Your Child Doesn’t Shine in School
This is my middle child, Chloe, 20 this year.
She’s very different from her two siblings.
Chloe has a strong character.
When she sets her mind on something — she’ll fight for it till the end.
But if she doesn’t want something, you can’t force her. 😅
Unlike her siblings who are more academically inclined,
Chloe has always been a slower learner when it comes to studies.
And that’s okay.
I’ve never believed in pushing my kids just for results.
But being the one who didn’t score as well as her brother and sister —
it did put pressure on her quietly.
So I decided to switch her focus.
Instead of chasing grades,
I helped her chase her passion.
Chloe started ballet at 5 years old,
when her sister started classes too.
And that was the beginning of her journey as a dancer.
She fell in love with jazz, lyrical, and contemporary dance —
and that’s when I knew this was her gift.
She joined competitions and often placed in the top 3.
Whenever her troupe performed,
she was always one of the lead dancers.
That confidence you see on stage —
it came not from being “the best student”,
but from being seen, supported, and believed in.
Chloe cruised through primary school with average grades,
but when she’s on stage, she shines. 🌟
This year, she did something that made me so proud —
she bought her own air ticket and flew to LA for three months
to attend open dance classes — alone!
The confidence, resilience, and independence she carries today
were all built on years of encouragement, not pressure.
So if you’re reading this as a parent —
maybe your teen games too much, talks back, or seems lost…
Please remember:
Every child has a gift.
Not every child needs to be top in class.
Your duty as a parent is to help them discover their identity.
Once they find that — trust me,
you’ll see a completely different child.
And you’ll be the proudest parent. 💛
📖 Romans 12:6
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”
As a parent, it’s easy to feel pressured by academic expectations, especially when comparing siblings or other children who perform well in school. But I’ve come to learn that true success often lies in recognizing and fostering a child’s unique talents and interests. Mother-son or mother-daughter teams that excel academically are inspiring, but excellence doesn’t only mean top grades. For many children, like Chloe, blossoming in areas like the arts, sports, or other passions can build confidence and lifelong skills. Discovering your child’s natural gifts takes patience and encouragement. Attending their performances, celebrating small achievements, and allowing them to explore without undue pressure can transform their self-esteem. In our family, shifting the focus from grades to passion opened new doors. Chloe’s journey in dance taught her resilience and independence—a gift far beyond any report card. If your child struggles in school but excels elsewhere, remember that every child’s path is different. Embrace their individuality, support their dreams, and you’ll see them truly shine in ways that matter most.
Wait till she grows up and outshines all your other kids ✨ then you’ll be really shocked hahaha