Chinese mother learns mermaid performing to encourage daughters

A mother from Shenyang in Liaoning Province became a mermaid performer only to educate and inspire her two daughters to do well in school, reports Chinanews.com.

An undated photo shows Zhao Chunmiao and her co-workers performing in a mermaid show at an ocean park in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Zhao Chunmiao is a 34-year-old mother working as an aquatic performer at an ocean park in Shenyang. Zhao started the career only because she made a deal with her eldest daughter that she would become a mermaid performer if she makes good grades.

Zhao said she often narrates the fairy tales about mermaids to her two daughters that they love to hear, and so she decided to become a "mermaid mother" to encourage her first born to study hard.

An undated photo shows Zhao Chunmiao performing in a mermaid show at an ocean park in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

As Zhao could not swim, it was difficult for her to learn the skills such as suspending breathing, diving and making movements in mermaid tail costume. She spent hours a day bathing herself in cold water to practice.

Three months later, Zhao became a professional performer in a mermaid show while her eldest daughter's academic performance improved.

An undated photo shows Zhao Chunmiao and her co-workers performing in a mermaid show at an ocean park in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

"Becoming a 'mermaid' makes me a role model to my daughters," said Zhao. She added that her daughter now has developed good learning habits and a strong will-power.