I want my son to learn more about the world

Lyu Ping, 40, a senior administrative affairs official at a college in Shanghai, has sent her 12-year-old son on visits to the United Kingdom and Japan this year.

I never indulge my son because I want him to be independent and internationally minded. In January, I sent him to London for a 12-day drama course. He told me he visited a number of famous places related to drama, including Shakespeare's birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon and the BBC, to learn about the history and development of drama.

He found the trip useful and interesting. We were both so pleased that I helped him register for a seven-day visit to Japan in August. During that trip, he learned how Japanese government, businesses and factories operate.