I, My Parents and Their Parents

It’s 8:00 in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. Rayyan is preparing the breakfast while his wife Sara is helping their seven-year-old twins Mina and Dora get ready for school. Their youngest child, Daniel who is three years old is in the living room watching his favourite TV show. His grandmother is sitting on the sofa watching her grandson. Grandfather is in the garden, watering the flowers. In Malaysia, it’s very common for (1)......... to live in the same house. Even though some people think that it is very difficult, it has many advantages too.

Adam lives with his parents and grandparents. “It’s really nice to live with my grandparents in the same house. My mum and dad are very busy businesspeople. They travel a lot and most of the weekends they are not even in the town. I go to school and after school I stay for basketball trainings. I come home around seven o’clock and I am usually very tired when I come. It’s nice to see someone home when I come. My grandmother is really great in kitchen. Every morning she asks me what I want to eat for dinner. Believe me, (2)......... than her. My grandfather is a great person. He is a scientist. He used to work for the government. He helps me with lessons like maths and science. They are both very understanding. I think they are trying (3)......... for my upbringing. It is great to feel their support.”

Adam also talks about the disadvantages. “We don’t have a very big house. There are only three bedrooms and one bathroom. There are times when I want to be alone but it is impossible. I can’t invite my friends to my house either. My grandparents are very curious and sometimes they bore my friends (4)......... . My grandmother loves chatting. My parents respect them a lot and they say that it wouldn’t be appropriate to leave them home. I agree with them but that (5)......... I need that time with my own parents.” Adam’s dad Amar says he is really happy with living with his parents. “We have just started a new business, so we have to travel and work a lot. It is great to know that there will always be someone to take care of Adam. I know that they sometimes have conflicts but still… Adam is a very respectful young man and my parents are very understanding. I mean, they are understanding with him. I remember, when I was younger they were much stricter. I guess times are changing and we all need to adapt to it. Including my own parents.”