Sailing Through Parenthood

How do you homeschool four kids and take them on a year-long sailing voyage at the same time? Former TV darling Evelyn Tan shares her parenting secrets with Lynn Wee.

- Lynn Wee

She was once dubbed a rising star with a bright future in showbiz. But in 2005, Evelyn Tan gave it all up.

That was when she welcomed her first child with actor-husband Darren Lim, now 45, and made the decision to become a stay-at-home mum.

Today, the 41-year-old homeschools her four children – Kristen, 12; Jairus, 10; Way, eight; and Elliott, four – and wants to inculcate in them the idea that “life is not all about academics”.

Even more surprising was the family of six’s decision to live on a yacht for five years (they are now land-based), and their six-month sailing expedition in January 2016 to Phuket and Koh Samui.

Young Parents caught up with the radiant mum at the launch of popular German brand Frei Ol in Singapore – she is its celebrity ambassador – to find out more about the family’s seafaring experience and her child-rearing strategies.

A sailing expedition with the entire family isn’t an easy feat. What was the experience like?

There were ups and downs, of course. In our euphoric moments, we saw dolphins swimming next to us. It was a really lovely feeling, and something that we will always remember. But we also met with storms that threw the boat 4m high – that was a negative experience that we’ll never forget.

We are just thankful that we were able to accomplish what we set out to do, come back safely, and have all these lovely memories to look back on.

Your husband, Darren, describes you as someone who goes by the book, whereas the sailing expedition was very unpredictable. What was it like to step out of your comfort zone?

I’m a person who knows that I need to go by the book. But perhaps, deep down inside, I look forward to excitement. I’m curious about what’s on the other side of things, and that’s the reason I married Darren.