My daughter's friend just returned from her Korean and Math classes at the weekend school. While at home, my dearest daughter just rolled out of bed and finished breakfast. Unlike many of her classmates, she does not attend any classes after school. Neither does she have a list of a hundred books to read during summer vacation. None of these other kids are geniuses or prodigies and the effort other mothers put in the kids is clearly visible in the stack full of certificates and trophies. My daughter, she is cut from a different cloth. Mine went to the school admission interview with her personality and a cute empty bag. "Indian kids usually come with a stack full of certificates for extra-curricular activities" the school counselor mentioned, trying unsuccessfully to hide her surprise.

My efforts for my daughter and her future seem rather insignificant compared to those of other mums from India and the rest of Asia. Our household doesn't have a constant flurry of activities, running from school to activities and to more activities. Meal times and bedtimes are flexible. French fries with ketchup could be lunch or breakfast. Once every couple of months, we skip school to go out for a movie and lunch—not for a birthday or a special occasion—just on a random day. Those are the days when homework, tests, and after-school activities don't matter.

I tell my daughter to be happy and satisfied with her circumstances. I tell her she needs to earn money if she wants a life of luxury, or prepare for a tough life if she finds more valuable pursuits. Rich or poor, I teach her to be healthy and safe. She is taught to be polite, and she helps around in the house. She reads when she feels like it and picks up a painting brush once in six months. I can see a lot of potential boiling under the surface, she could be a painter or would absolutely rock the world with her pen. It is my job to hand her the right tools and it is her's to harness her potential.

Unlike other moms, I'm not overly worried about the grades she gets as long as she's comfortable sharing them with others. I tell her that if she feels embarrassed about her performance, she should put in more effort. The timing and method are things she figures out on her own. She ends up getting everything she wants and a little extra. We talk, we share, we offer a shoulder to cry on to each other.

However, everything said and done, as an Asian mom, I feel I should do a bit more. Maybe a short trip to the kitchen? Mums are known to cook healthy meals for their kids. Maybe we can have fries with cheese instead of roti and sabzi tonight!