Lately, I heard lots of elderly folks told me that it’s better to have daughters than sons as opposed to chinese tradition of having sons as the bearers of the surnames. Why?

Most of them (including my mum!!!) said that daughters will still be “attached” to the family, even if they’ve got married. Most daughters will still visit their parents whenever possible, and take care of their parents. Not that sons don’t do that, but there’re an increasing number of sons who rather listen to their wives, and not “obeying” their parents anymore.

Mmmm…it’s like the old mother-in-laws vs daughters-in-laws fight huh? When a son got married and started “listening” to his wife, or moving out, the battle of grabbing his attention begins between the two most important women of his life.

Well, I have to admit that my bother really changed when he started dating his wife. If we mistakenly joked about her, he’ll fume with frame! Let alone now that he’s married and expecting their first baby. My mum and I have to watch our months (we used to joke a lot) when we talk about her.

Since she has morning sickness, she stopped visiting my parents for months, claiming that the journey from Batu Ferringhi to Prai is too far and dizzy for her. So, my mum has to travel to see them. She doesn’t mind much as my dad is very free during weekends, and they can go “pak toh” after visiting my brother. Luckily, my mum is considerate, if not, she will like be a character in some soap opera cursing her DIL like crazy! Too bad our ke poh neighbours have bad mouths, keep saying my mum is “losing” her son to DIL as they don’t see my brother and DIL coming back home often. So “pak po”!

Now, my mum said daughter is good as I’m still visiting them whenever possible, and she doesn’t feel like losing me after I got married for so long. So, I joked to her that why didn’t she give birth to more daughters last time? Then she won’t be so lonely. Ha!

Well, I think sons and daughters are the same. It’s all depends on individual characters. Hubby’s still respecting his parents and definitely not the type that listens to me only (what a pity huh?). He chooses to be reasonable whenever possible, but not siding to any party. Thank god! So, if my MIL said anything bad about me, if any, he can still use his BRAIN!!! But I’m glad that I have a very open-minded MIL who’s very considerate too.

I have Justin and Isabelle. I have no idea how they’ll be when they’re old enough to have their life partners, whether they’ll “ditch” us, or “stick” to us. My responsibilities now are to raise them, nurture them with as much love as we can offer, and provide them guidance in life. For the rest, hubby and I can’t control much. Let’s see what happens 20 years later, and if daughter is better than son, or son is better than daughter. But I hope I DON’T HAVE TO COMPARE!

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