We're Having A Ball!

From grades to iPads to how to get their kids to do what they want, ANDIE CHEN & KATE PANG really have this whole parenting thing all figured out. Celine Tan takes notes.

- Celine Tan

There’s a loud thud, and wails of pain erupt from a corner of the bedroom. Mama Kate springs up from her make-up chair and is by her fallen child’s side in a nanosecond. Papa Andie looks on with concern, but knows this is a job for mum. Aden Chen, being an active and cheeky two-and-half year old, had climbed onto the arm of a chair and taken a tumble. It’s not nasty, but there’s a bit of blood, and a lot of tears. Kate hugs her bawling son, dabs at his wound, and asks (in Mandarin), “Do you want a biscuit?” “Wah waaaaah wah! Yes I want a biscuit! I want mei mei’s biscuits,” sobs Aden. Kate stifles a smile and hands him his eight-month-old little sis’ crackers. Aden munches on the baby biscuits, his pain temporarily forgotten at the chance to be the baby again and getting undivided attention from his mum and dad (and the 10 other people in the room). At this point, baby Avery, who really is the sweetest little princess, decides to imitate her brother and start yelling, presumably just to see what would happen. Everyone laughs and the family’s helper scoops up the adorbs little munchkin. Andie sits down beside his son, determined to turn this incident into a lesson: “Now you know — can you climb onto the arm of the chair?” Aden sniffles, “No…” Crisis averted; lesson learned. Now, back to work, or as Andie jokingly tells Aden, “Come on, time to earn your keep!” Just another day in the life of the Chens.