What I learned planning a Singapore holiday with my mum

For much of my life, it was my mum who took us on holiday. And when she did, she took care of everything: the travel, the hotel, the food, the activities, the souvenirs. So, I decided to take her on a trip to Singapore – as a way of saying thank you. As a result, I learned a lot about her, myself and how to plan a trip with a parent.  

Taking my mum back to Singapore 

Despite the threat of rain, nothing could have dampened our high spirits as we made our way to The St Regis Singapore . When we arrived, the staff told us that the rain often disappears as quickly as it arrives, such is life in the tropics.  

The last time my mum and I were together in Singapore, we were in the middle of moving house. For me, the city was a fun break, but for her it must have been hard, with so much to organise on behalf of the family. All these years later, she could enjoy the cuisine, the shopping and everything else Singapore has to offer without having to worry about other things. 

Seeing the city without the pressure of planning 

Our first port of call was dinner at the hotel’s Italian restaurant, Sophia, which was an instant hit. When mum took her first bite of the appetiser – grilled octopus with fava beans – her eyes lit up and she nodded approvingly. This is high praise from my mum. The main course fared even better: lobster pasta with generous portions of springy crustacean meat and al dente linguine. The perfectly grilled and seasoned tenderloin had the right balance of chewiness and tenderness. We went to bed with full stomachs – and full of anticipation for the weekend I had planned.  

For our first day in the city, I’d planned an itinerary full of my mum’s favourite activities to do on holiday – shopping independent brands, taking coffee breaks at laidback cafés, indulging in local delicacies and taking plenty of photos. 

Well-fuelled from breakfast at Sophia, we took the bus to Tiong Bahru for some retail therapy. Knowing mum’s gift-giving tendencies and shopping habits, I took her to two places I was sure she’d enjoy: First Stitch x Stranger and Cat Socrates . The former makes unique clothing styles countering fast-fashion culture and offers on-the-spot alterations; the latter is a cute place that sells Singapore-themed trinkets and handcrafted souvenirs – from postcards and stickers to shophouse-patterned coasters. As hoped, we left satisfied with our new gifts. 

Because of our shopping escapade, we were running late for our reservation at Keng Eng Seafood for lunch of chilli crab – one of the seafood dishes my mum especially loves. As we rushed there on the bus, I began to feel the same anxiety she must have felt so often on holiday, especially when the rest of us spent too long browsing or snacking while she tried to keep us on a tight schedule. I wondered if this was why she didn’t enjoy the last trip to the Lion City.  

After a hearty portion of crab slathered in fragrant tomato-and-beaten-egg sauce and afternoon tea at the St Regis’s Tea Room – a ritual my mum enjoys but never seems to have the time or company for – we headed downtown to Gardens by the Bay to catch the audiovisual spectacles Garden Rhapsody and Borealis .  

When plans matter less than time together 

I’d planned for us to walk around the Flower Dome to take photos among the dreamlike flora at the Cloud Forest, but she didn’t seem interested. A mental tug-of-war ensued between disappointment and a sense of eagerness to get her to try something I thought she’d like.  

This had happened once before when I’d tried to convince her to explore Singapore Botanic Gardens with me, weaving around exotic trees and chasing monitor lizards, rock doves and red junglefowl. Thinking back on that moment, her enjoyment probably came more from spending time together doing something I wanted to do as opposed to what she wanted to do.  

So instead, we sat on the sidewalk under the colossal Supertrees, taking in the spectacle of lights and music, trying to guess the song. I felt grateful that my mum was cool enough not to have cared that I’d forgotten to bring a mat for us to sit on. (I suppose I’ve never given her enough credit for the times she’d been cool and I didn’t realise.) 

A massage at Natureland was the perfect way to complete the weekend on our final morning. Our feet, a little less sore than they were when we sat down, were ready to speed-walk one final time to Orchard Point. We ordered some chunky cookies from Whiskdom to satisfy my mum’s sweet tooth, and an iced-coconut shake from Mr Coconut – a nod to the first time my mum introduced me to coconut milk, a childhood favourite of hers that has since become one of mine.  

What travelling with a parent teaches you 

If the purpose was to treat my mum to a carefree and relaxing holiday, I think (or at least I hope) I succeeded. On reflection, perhaps a getaway with a parent is more of a dialogue – spending time together doing things you both enjoy and can laugh about or, sometimes, complain about. It’s not a rulebook to be followed, you just have to go with the flow. 

So, next time, I won’t plan everything down to the minute. But neither will my mum. We’ll just have one hand each on the tiller and see where the wind blows us.  

Where to stay 

The St Regis Singapore, which recently renovated its rooms and dining areas, offers a luxurious, modern and comfortable stay, thanks to the thoughtful service, exceptional food and wide range of amenities. Additionally, each morning, the butler service lets you order a coffee or tea to your room, while turndown service includes a pre-slumber TWG tea blend and a pillow menu. Facilities and amenities encompass an outdoor pool, sauna, hot tub, a spa and private transfers to and from the airport.