A Singaporean mother’s love
With Mother’s Day around the corner, there’s no better time to reflect on the things our Singaporean mothers say or do – those phrases and actions that have stuck with us, sometimes for better or worse.
You could be in your 20s, 30s, or 40s – there’s a good chance that if you’re Singaporean, you’ve heard these words and witnessed these actions of love countless times. Let’s take a trip down memory lane together:
Table of Contents
- A Singaporean mother’s love
- – Things Singaporean mothers say –
- 1. “Why so late haven’t _ yet?!”
- 2. “At home got food.”
- 3. “Are you coming back for dinner?”
- 4. “… see la, SEE la, SEE LA!” (in crescendo)
- 5. “Drink more water.”
- 6. “Why your friend can, you cannot?”
- 7. “I don’t want to hear excuses!”
- 8. “You think I print money, is it?”
- 9. “Wait until you have children of your own.”
- – Things Singaporean mothers do –
- 10. She pushes the paiseh piece to you
- 11. She tries following you on Instagram
- 12. She secretly hides an umbrella in your bag
- 13. She packs up the mess in your room when you’re out
- 14. She cuts fruits & brings them to your room
– Things Singaporean mothers say –
1. “Why so late haven’t _ yet?!”
Sleeping in till past noon under your mum’s roof? That takes real guts.
This exclamation varies: when it’s 12am and you haven’t showered, when it’s 3pm on a Sunday and you don’t want to wake up, or when it’s 4am and you’re not home yet. Just add a random verb, and it should match up.
What she means: I care about your hygiene, your tiredness, your safety and that you really are okay when you stumble home drunk at 4 in the morning.
2. “At home got food.”
Image credit: Renae Cheng
We’ve all asked, “Can we eat out today?” and heard the familiar, somewhat exasperated response about how there’s food at home.
Sometimes, it’s a leftover meal from yesterday, and other times, it’s something our mum whipped up. You can almost feel the satisfaction in her voice when she says it, as though she’s not only saved you money but also spared you the unhealthy fast food you’d probably have opted for otherwise.
What she means: I’ve already put time and love into making something for you. I want you to come home, eat well, and know that you’re cared for.
3. “Are you coming back for dinner?”
We were the ones begging to eat out once upon a time. Now, we almost always expect a text from Mother Empress to roll in at around 5pm, asking whether or not she can expect you home for dinner. Some of us are guilty of not even responding.
Don’t write her off as being nosy or a nag, it’s just that as your social circle expands, she misses those everyday convos about school, your career, or the friend you’ve been beefing with.
What she means: It’s been quite some time since we’ve eaten together. I miss hearing about your day – even the boring parts.
4. “… see la, SEE la, SEE LA!” (in crescendo)
Ma warned you about placing that liang teh too close to the edge. Ma even said, “Be careful, push it in some more”.
But you were a little too confident to heed her advice, so you eventually ended up pushing the cup off the table, spilling everything, and having an angry mother on your back and no liang teh to drink.
What she means: Learn from this, and don’t ever do it again.
5. “Drink more water.”
Ma will be extra proud if you decide to drink “cooling water” on your own accord.
Water is the answer to everything in a mum’s world. It’s her solution for a headache, fatigue, or when you’re just plain lazy. “Drink more water” is basically her version of a magic potion.
What she means: I can’t be there to fuss over you 24/7, so promise me you’ll look after yourself.
6. “Why your friend can, you cannot?”
How many aura points did you lose when your mum compared you to your friend, in front of your friend?
Ah, the classic Singaporean mum comparison – usually thrown out when you’re struggling with something, like scoring an A+ on your Math paper or waking up before noon. Somehow, our mums always know someone else’s kid who’s doing it better.
While it can feel like a stab to the ego – and occasionally makes you want to pack your bags and move out – mums just want the best for us. See it in another way, perhaps this is her… motivational strategy.
What she means: I see your potential, and I just want you to believe in yourself the way I do.
7. “I don’t want to hear excuses!”
You’re 10 minutes late, you forgot to do the chore she reminded you about 3 times, or you bombed a test and tried to explain it away. But before you can finish your sentence, the shutdown about not wanting to hear excuses comes.
Your younger self probably thought she was being fierce for no reason. But looking back, it was about teaching you to take responsibility, even when it’s uncomfortable.
What she means: Life is tough, but you have to learn to own up and keep going.
8. “You think I print money, is it?”
Delivered with dramatic flair and a slight raise of the eyebrow, it’s the classic guilt trip that made you instantly reconsider if that thing you wanted was really necessary. Mums are indeed the original budget kweens – they know the value of every cent and are constantly thinking 3 steps ahead for the family.
What she means: I work hard so you get to live comfortably, but I also want you to learn that not everything in life comes easily.
9. “Wait until you have children of your own.”
When that day comes, you’ll hear her voice in your head, clear as day.
Usually said after you’ve rolled your eyes one too many times or complained about how “unreasonable” she’s being. You also probably brushed her remark off like, “Aiya, so dramatic.” Alas, one day, you’ll be the one nagging someone to eat, drink water, and come home early.
What she means: You’ll come to understand how much love and worry go into being a parent – and I hope you’ll remember how much I tried.
– Things Singaporean mothers do –
10. She pushes the paiseh piece to you
You might have that awkward moment pushing around the final piece of food, AKA the paiseh piece, with friends, but that’s never the case with a Singaporean mum. She’ll bring out all sorts of excuses along the lines of: “I’m full already,” “The bones taste better,” or “I want to lose weight.”
She simply chooses to be self-sacrificial so that you can have nothing less than her best.
And Ma, you’re not a cat and you’re defo not fat. If anyone calls you fat, they’ll get a high-five from me — with a bench.
What she means: I know you like this, so you can have more of it.
11. She tries following you on Instagram
You probably lied and said you didn’t get the notification, and conveniently “forgot” to accept her follow request.
Our greatest horror – *insert Ma’s corny handle* has requested to follow you on Instagram. And there is no escape from this, she knows that you’re on your phone at least 20 hours a day.
Thankfully, she doesn’t know about your spam account.
What she means: I want to know what you like doing so I can feel involved in your life.
12. She secretly hides an umbrella in your bag
She knows our reluctance to hold a gaudy umbrella, even when subjected to 32-degree weather, for fear of looking like an overly-cautious tart. But she also knows that her predictions are always right.
So, she’ll sneakily pack a brolly in your bag, and you’ll whip it out while everyone else is drenched and scrambling for shelter. Say what you want, but her 6th sense never fails.
What she means: I’d rather you think I’m kiasu than see you catch a cold.
13. She packs up the mess in your room when you’re out
We are never sure whether to be thankful or mad whenever our “chairdrobe” gets cleared. As amazed as we are by our mothers’ impeccable organisational skills, we still hate having to scream for help when we desperately need that perfect top to wear out on a date.
What she means: I want a better environment for you to work and sleep in.
14. She cuts fruits & brings them to your room
Image credit: @nehasaraswat_on_home_style via Instagram
Maybe you had an argument earlier, or maybe she said something snarky. But don’t expect an “I’m sorry,” especially in a traditional Asian household. Instead, it’s just the quiet sound of your door creaking open, followed by a plate of carefully sliced apples or oranges landing gently on your table.
Because for mums, actions always speak louder than words.
What she means: I know we fought, but I still care for you.
Thank you, Mum
It’s easy to box her up in the “naggy mum” stereotype, but the truth is that a mother’s love isn’t always easy to comprehend. They love without saying it, and they will still love us even when we’re least deserving of it.
So take some time out of your daily grind and show her a little appreciation. A simple “thank you and I love you” can work wonders to fill her heart.
(Closed) Take care of mum with AXA this Mother’s Day
With our own daily hustles, we get so busy growing up that sometimes, we forget that our mothers are growing old too. The same arms that once cradled you no longer have the strength they once did, and housework starts to become an actual chore to her.
For all the times that she’s given you her best, take this Mother’s Day to do the same for her with AXA. With AXA Insurance’s comprehensive health and life solutions, whatever curveball life can throw, mum can and will be fully protected.
For the month of May, AXA Insurance shows a whole lot of love for all mothers out there – whether mums-to-be or mums with mature children. AXA Insurance is offering 2 complimentary policies for our mothers to choose from this May: AXA SmartCare Shield (Personal Accident) or SmartHome Essential (Home).
By signing our mums up for selected Life or Health policies with AXA, she will be entitled to a year’s worth of coverage either under the SmartCare Shield or the SmartHome Essential.
After all the sweat, blood, and tears our mums poured out for us over the past decades, ensuring that they are well looked after is the least we can do for them.
Get your mum insured with AXA Insurance here!
This post was brought to you by AXA Insurance.
Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local, @nehasaraswat_on_home_style via Instagram
Originally published on 6th May 2017. Last updated by Wei Yin on 2nd May 2025.
Note: This promo has since ended, and the promotions featured in this article may no longer be available.