Veteran actress Tan Kheng Hua, 50, shares eight lessons she’s learnt about motherhood, while her daughter, Lim Shi-An, 15, weighs in on growing up with a famous (and somewhat unorthodox) mum.

1 TRUST YOUR KIDS

They're smarter than you give them credit for - Shi-An has shown me that she can make good decisions without any hand-holding. For instance, she can sleep at any time she wants, as long as she shows my husband (Lim) Yu Beng and me that her schoolwork is fi ne, and no teacher complains that she's inattentive in class.

2 DON'T FUSS OVER THEM

Our family loves to gather at mealtimes. So even when Shi-An was a baby, she'd sit in her baby chair and join us. We didn't have a domestic helper to feed her, and we never fussed over her to make sure she wasn't spilling her food.

If we'd done that, we couldn't have engaged in dinner conversation. And that was what we wanted her to learn - that family mealtimes are about enjoying and engaging with one another. Today, she has no problem sitting with adults and taking part in the conversation.

3 KNOW HOW TO BE A FRIEND…

I enjoy being around Shi-An and I love hearing what she has to say or about what she's done during the day.

She knows this, and it lets her feel comfortable with me and enjoy my company.

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3 best things about being Tan Kheng Hua's daughter

Having a liberal mother…

I love that Mum's so accepting of me - she always hears me out. I'm never afraid to tell her if I feel strongly about something.

Sharing a love of theatre...

I grew up with theatre, but have never felt pressured by my parents to follow their path. I genuinely enjoy performing and have been on stage - acting in Christmas pantomimes yearly - since I was young.

When I got into the School Of The Arts, my parents were very supportive; Mum even teared up.

Talking about everything…

There isn't much self-censorship in our home - my parents don't even censor themselves when they talk to their friends, even if I'm around! (Laughs)

We don't talk about sex per se, but it's not taboo either. They recently took me to watch Shun-kin (a Japanese play about love, cruelty and erotic obsession).

Mum said there were going to be scenes where the puppets would be making love and some dark, violent themes. I think of it purely as art.