50: A Mother’s Burden and a Son’s Rebellion

CHAPTER 50: A Mother’s Burden and a Son’s Rebellion

QUOTE: "The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them." — Confucius

LESSON: Balancing Family Dynamics

SYNOPSIS: In 2017, I closely monitored Olivier’s progress at his French school in Panama, but the language barrier, learning challenges, and physical pain caused him to fall behind and eventually get expelled. Hoping to help him find stability, I brought him to New Zealand, where he continued to struggled with school despite my persistent efforts to motivate him. While Olivier excelled socially, building a strong circle of friends and finding popularity among his peers, his relationship with Emilie remained strained. Their sibling rivalry caused frequent conflicts, often leaving me to mediate their arguments and manage the emotional fallout. The unresolved tension between my children and Olivier’s ongoing struggles at school remained a constant source of stress, leaving me determined but unsure of how to bring peace to our household.