Chow Tai Fook: Mother-child duos share their appreciation for each other

In honour of Mother’s Day, our favourite mother-child duos share with Stephenie Gee their love and appreciation for one another

Irisa Wong

What do you admire most about your mother?

How patient and tolerant she is. 

Three words to describe her?

Strong, patient, kind.

One thing she has taught you that you’ll always appreciate?

How to be a good and kind person, and never to let people’s negative opinions affect you. 

Favourite memory of her?

There are so many but we’ve been on a few work trips to Italy and I really enjoyed those because it was just the two of us. 

How do you like to spend time together?

My mother is my best friend so I enjoy doing most things with her – even just sitting at home watching Netflix. 

⁠The best/your favourite characteristic you inherited from your mother?

My straightforwardness

What words of love would you want to tell your mother today?

Thank you for bringing me into this world and giving me a lot of different opportunities to do the things that I love and supporting me always. I love you! 

The best thing your mother has done for you?

Gave me life.

Janet Ma

Favourite memory of your children?

There are so many precious, special and memorable moments with my kids. I don’t think I can pinpoint a particular one as my favourite.

Favourite gift they have given you?

Hand-made cards with their special message or note in it.

What do you admire most about your child?
They all have a heart of gold.

Proudest moment as a mother?

⁠Watching them all grow up to be decent human beings.

How do you like to spend time with them?

⁠I’m satisfied just to sit at home and watch TV with them.

One thing about your children that drives you crazy?

It was tough every time when it came to school work, but luckily that time has passed.

If you could talk to your pre-motherhood self, what advice would you give her?

Be yourself ! Believe in yourself! Be kind to yourself!

What’s the best thing your child could do for you right now?

Be happy and be healthy.

Victoria Tang-Owen

⁠Favourite memory of Rocco?
Meeting him for the first time, not knowing whether we were having a boy or a girl. We wanted the anticipation of finding out on arrival and I remember a moment of pure joy and wonder.

⁠Favourite gift he has given you?
A handmade bracelet with his name that he put in a travel jewellery box he decorated.

What do you admire most about your child?
Rocco shows a caring side to his friends that I always admire. He has a strong sense of loyalty and fairness.

Proudest moment as a mother?
With blonde hair and blue eyes most people who encounter Rocco don’t expect him to speak such good Chinese. He happily directs taxi drivers and orders at restaurants that usually raises a surprised smile and that makes me so proud!

⁠How do you like to spend time together?
We like to hike and talk about all the questions he has about life and the world.

One thing about Rocco that drives you crazy?
He is rather stubborn. A precious trait I recognise in some of the other men in my family! And it’s a characteristic that can be a strength and if well directed can serve him well in the future… I hope!

⁠If you could talk to your pre-motherhood self, what advice would you give her?
Nothing will be perfect. The beauty of being a mother is that you can nurture, guide and coach your child but you have to respect them as an individual to forge their own path. It’s a learning journey for both mother and child but I always try to focus on the special love that a mother will feel towards a child and appreciate how that can motivate, inspire and uplift me.

⁠What’s the best thing he could do for you right now?
To show empathy and kindness towards others. We teach him to be compassionate and understanding towards people from different backgrounds and cultures. He always joins me at events I attend for the Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association (I am the President) and I am proud of how he interacts with our members and has a very mature sense of treating everyone respectfully.

Feiping Chang

Favourite memory of your children?

My favourite memory is still the day they were born. Carrying twins was not easy and on the day of their birth I was both extremely nervous and excited to finally meet them. I’ll never forget the moment I heard their first cries and the relief and joy of seeing them for the first time.

Favourite gift your children have given you?

They’re still too young to really give me any physical presents, but my favourite gift was when they learnt to say “I love you Mommy” for the first time last Mother’s Day.

What do you admire most about your children?

I most admire how they each have such strong and unique personalities, and how at this young age they are absolutely and unapologetically themselves whilst being so open and curious about the world.

Proudest moment as a mother?

My proudest moments are seeing them learn, absorb and apply what they’ve learnt. Be it in language, etiquette or self-expression.

How do you like to spend time with your children?

This toddler period is such a cute age where they are still such innocent beings but with the ability to express themselves verbally. Every moment is so precious now that I just try to spend as much time as possible with them daily, playing, reading and experiencing new things.

One thing about your children that drives you crazy?

Probably the way toddlers are so stubborn about little things that seem so silly to adults but are so important to them as their world is still so small now.

If you could talk to your pre-motherhood self, what advice would you give her?

I would tell her it’s absolutely normal to always feel inadequate, that you’re always doing too much or too little. There’s no such thing as a perfect mother, so just enjoy every day as it comes.

What’s the best thing your children could do for you right now?

The best thing they could do is to be brave and open to new ideas and experiences so that they can eventually find their own passions and paths in life.

Jenny Chau

Favourite memory of Conor?

When Conor was born. We had to go to the hospital three days in a row because of false labour and on the third day, Conor decided to show himself! What a little cheeky monkey!

Favourite gift he has given you?

Well, Conor is only four but he loves to draw so he always gifts me with his drawings. My favourite thought would still be when he gives me a kiss!

What do you admire most about your child?

He is the youngest of the three and a lot younger than his two brothers (Winston is 14 and Alastair is 12!), but Conor has been very expressive and brave at home and he is fearless when it comes to getting what he wants!

Proudest moment as a mother?

When my boys start to act independent and be able to do certain things by themselves. I’m also very proud to see all three boys, despite their age gap, playing along with each other nicely.

How do you like to spend time with your child?

Travelling together and going on holidays. I love to take them places where they have not been to create more new memories.

One thing about your children that drives you crazy?

When the boys are throwing massive tantrums or being very unreasonable. But the boys always calm down quite easily and move on like nothing happened!

If you could talk to your pre-motherhood self, what advice would you give her?

Be more patient and be more forgiving. Positive encouragement goes a long way.

What’s the best thing your children could do for you right now?

Give me lots of hugs and kisses while they are still young and cute!

CREDITS
Photography / Lamb Yu
Styling / Kellie Chan
Hair / Vic Kwan at I.A. Salon Hair & Nail
Hair and makeup / Sapphire.S
Photography assistants / Yuk and tt

Also see: Hair treatments just in time for Mother’s Day