A Doting Grandma Is...

- One who sees neat stuff that she thinks the grandkids may like and gets those for them, regardless of price, whether it's 'made in China' or sold at pushcarts, Chinatown, NTUC or branded stores like Taka and Isetan.

- One who notices her grandkids' likes and dislikes.

- One who will go through ALL THE TROUBLE AND DISTANCE AND INCONVENIENCES to bring grandkids to fun but crowded places, by public transport because kids enjoy such places, occasions and sights.

- One who thinks of bringing her grandkids out to the library, or to cycle, or a walk to the supermarket when there are free time.

NOT

- One who only gives grandchildren coins to save up on weekends

- One who buy clothes for her grandchildren once in a blue moon AND TELLS THEM THOSE CLOTHES ARE SOOOOOO EXPENSIVE. It's like the cost of the gift was the main point, not the surprise of that gift.

- One who will never bring children to crowded festive places (like Chingay 2012, for example) UNLESS SOMEONE DRIVES HER THERE or only if it conveniences herself.

- One who rather watch TV or better still, have friends who are free to ask her out, than be seen traveling on a bus with a kid to the library or supermarket.

- One who has never wondered how she can spend quality time with her grandchildren whom she meets only during the weekend.

- One who insists traveling on the bus with kids are too dangerous and always mentioning that the children should NEVER take a bus ride.

- One who asks: "Where shall we go?" on days she has no friends to go out with, instead of "Where can we bring the kids?"

Nobody likes to have their activities criticized by NATO (No-Action-Talk-Only) people.

You won't bring them to Orchard or Chinatown for festival lightups (because you think it's crowded and unsafe), buy them traditional Chinese outfits for Chinese New Year (because you assume those are 'made in China'), take them places by bus (because, again, you find it dangerous when everyone else who do not drive, at some points, ride on a bus everyday and do not get hospitalized) or do anything productive with them and that is perfectly fine with me, because they have another grandma who WILL go THAT EXTRA MILE for and with them.

But quit criticizing what my mum will do, just because you will not!

You asked if I will be at ease if my mum brings AN to Chingay. I will be, because my mum is capable. She brought my brother and I out to crowded places without my dad when we were young, unlike her who gets turned off by the crowd and never brought her kids to another one again, even when they went as a complete family.

I'm so proud of my mum who's so streetsmart and grandkids-worthy. Who needs the other haughty grandma? The only reason AN is excited to see her every weekend is because of WEEKEND MOOD! NO SCHOOL, ALL FUN. When daddy is overseas and no one drives, does she ever suggest we bring the kids out? Never...

Seriously, quit criticizing my mum's capability just because you will not do it, even if you can.