FolksI never knew how blessed I am until recent years. I am extremely thankful for the way they have brought us up. I can't even begin to figure out how they did it.
We are not rich. We are a middle-class family. We may even be considered as lower-middle class by some standards. But never once did we feel deprived.
With the exception of video games and cable television, if we requested something, they would, more likely than not, give it to us. Mom qualified her decision to not get us cable tv saying that we would be glued to the tv 24/7 if she had gotten it since we were already watching tv till no end. There's no denying that.
They never meddled in our studies, only employing a tutor when we asked for it. They gave us the autonomy to choose what we would like to pursue for our CCA and always gave us their fullest support regardless of their reservations. They always encouraged us to try new things.
We were sent to a private kindergarten. We learnt music and sports. We went on trips at least once every year. We patronised restaurants. At the same time, we were also brought for meals at roadside stalls, taught to be independent and the value of frugality.
My sisters and I turned out to be three sensible adults - aware and able to enjoy the finer things in life as well as rough it out and go back to the basics. My easy-goingness, sense of adventure and willingness to try new things must all be credited to them. No value can be put on the exposure they have granted us.
