Yvonne Lim Wants To Move Back To Singapore As It Will Be Tough For Her To Teach Her Son Math & Science, Which Are Taught In Mandarin In Taiwan, When He Gets Older

Yvonne Lim's return to our screens in Mediacorp drama Strike Gold was definitely worth the wait. 

Yvonne, 46, starred as Lisa Fang, a hapless woman so desperately in debt she had to pretend she's deranged to hide from her creditors.

Needless to say, the actress delivered as usual.

Yvonne, who lives in Taiwan with her businessman husband Alex and their two kids  AJ, eight and Alexa, six, couldn't make it in person for the drama's press conference last month as she was busy prepping AJ for his exams.

So 8days.sg reached out to her over the phone, and the actress was as sweet and affable as always, even welcoming us to ring her up if we were to visit Taipei.

"Don't be like that Benjamin Tan, never come and find me," she laughed, referring to how her Strike Gold nephew didn't contact her during his recent trip to Taiwan.

We'll definitely take Yvonne up on her offer but of course, we have to make sure it's not when her kids are having exams, a period that she said is "really not fun".

8DAYS.SG: Hi Yvonne! How was it getting AJ ready for his examinations? 

YVONNE LIM: I think he’s quite disciplined. He knows that he has to finish his homework before playing and he works hard. It's why it’s still manageable for me but I was busy 'cos he doesn't have any tuition. 

During the revision period, as parents we have to be stricter and more demanding. If he’s not paying attention then I’d tell him off. He really needs to put in the most effort during this period. I told him, "You reap what you sow, you need to put in hard work to see the results."

But I would also always say that the most important thing is that they did their best. If they did then whatever results they go is okay. 

I was having a conversation with my girl friends and they said maybe at this age they wouldn’t be able to understand what I mean. But I think I should still instill the right mindset in them from young. 

Does he have high expectations of himself?

He’ll be sad if he doesn’t do well or if he makes a silly mistake. Sometimes he’d be worried that I would be upset as well. I’ll tell him: “You don’t have to worry 'cos what’s done is done. You just have to live with it, be responsible and tell yourself to not make the same careless mistakes again.”  

Would you say you’re the kind of mum who’s more anxious than her kids for their exams?

I think we’re both anxious but AJ may be more concerned because he is quite disciplined and has expectations for himself.

Meanwhile my daughter is still in lala land (laughs). She’ll always be laughing at her brother when he’s studying. I told her: “You don’t laugh” because one day she will be like him (chuckles).

You want your kids to return to Singapore for school right?

From my point of view, of course I hope that they can do that because Singapore is one place where I can think you can study all the way to university.

For AJ, what he’s learning in Taiwan, like Mathematics and Science for example, they're all [taught] in Mandarin, It’s a bit tough for me lah (laughs). 

Sometimes I even have to read the questions again to understand what they're asking. And he's only in primary two. I'm sure it will get more complicated as he progresses. Maybe he’ll be okay with it but for me it's tough. It would be easier for me if it’s all in English (laughs).

So AJ can speak really good Mandarin now?

I think it’s quite good 'cos his teachers make them memorise poems. In Singapore the teachers won’t make them do that (laughs). I told him if he goes back to study in Singapore, the teachers might ask him to perform on stage 'cos he can recite poems. (chuckles) 

Would he have to make significant adjustments when he's back?

AJ’s in primary two in Taiwan, but in Singapore’s standard he’s supposed to be in primary three already. So if he goes back to Singapore, I don’t know if he'll be able to remain at the same level as his peers. If he doesn’t meet the requirements then he might really have to start later.

Alexa is starting school soon as well. Are you worried about that too?

Yes! She has to apply for primary one. Like any typical Singaporean parent, we’re all stressed during this period (laughs). I think first of all we need to have a place of our own in Singapore then we can start planning the move back. Hopefully mei mei can get into a decent school in Singapore (laughs).

Between you and your husband Alex, who’s more involved in your kids' education?

I would say we’re both involved. During the period when I was filming in Singapore, obviously I wouldn’t be able to supervise them so it was Alex. But he also has other things to handle so he can’t be as entirely focused on teaching them as I am.

Who is the bad cop between the two of you?

Obviously I’m the bad cop right?! (Laughs) Though my kids think mummy is very strict or can be fierce at times, they know that I mean well. The way I communicate with my kids is that I’ll let them understand why I say certain things instead of letting them think that I’m scolding them for no reason.

It’s so funny because when I am lecturing my kids, my godmother would say: “Aiyoh, don’t be like this.” Then I’ll tell her, “Ah Bu [Mother], when we were young you guys would even cane us! We don't even hit them, we just raise our voices and you guys heart pain already! Last time when you caned us, you guys didn't feel heartache meh?” (Laughs) 

Did your godma cane you when you were younger?

Oh, no. I only got closer to her when I was older so she never hit me. But I heard about it from her daughter! (Laughs) 

Have you ever caned your kids then?

No. We always joke that we should buy a cane and my elders would say: “No no no!” (laughs) That’s why it’s so unfair. Last time they wouldn't even bother to tell us why and would just whack, and we simply had to endure it. Now their grandchildren are only getting a small lecture and they find them pitiful already. I was like: “What?!” (laughs)  

Would you consider yourself a Tiger Mum?

I won’t keep asking them to do things or plan lots of tuition for them. I always tell them, work hard, play hard. For example, after his examinations we would go for a good meal. This time, we went to Hokkaido.

Now that the pandemic is over, should we expect to see you back in Singapore more often?

Very likely since there's no need for quarantine now.

Catch Yvonne in Strike Gold on meWATCH below: