Enjoy the moment, worry less about the kid's future partner

Instead of mulling over things that are beyond our control, let's spend our time building strong parent-child ties instead

- Michael Han

How will our children's future unfold?

My wife and I talk about it. We ask ourselves these questions: Who will they marry? Will they marry the right life partner? Have we done right by them? How long will we be around for them?

Parents are wired to worry about their children. We think about them even after they leave the family nest to start their own homes.

Unlike an investment in stocks and real estate, parenting is an investment in a life. The stakes are much higher. We are more emotionally connected. We want our children's life transitions to be as smooth as possible.

Will my son or daughter find his or her Miss or Mr Right? Do we as parents have a say in their choice? This is a major transition in our children's lives that we are keenly interested in.

I have learnt that when it comes to our children's marriage, my wife and I are at best their consultant-in-chief, not their chief executive officer. It is still their call to make, and we have to respect their decision.

In 2014, Hong Kong real estate magnate Cecil Chao made the news when he offered HK$1 billion to any man who could successfully woo his lesbian daughter, Gigi Chao, then 33.