Angie Mak’s Parenting Wisdom: Communication, Listening, and Love

On screen, Angie Mak always appears as a gentle and friendly television host. Off screen, she is a professional and independent woman and a mother of three. Within the family, she is a nurturing mother who is willing to pause, listen and walk alongside her children as they grow, as well as a supportive wife. In this interview, we step into her world of parenting to explore her perspectives on family, marriage, and effective parenting.

“Letting go is also a Form of Love.”

“I grew up in a family filled with love.” Reflecting on her upbringing, Angie was deeply moved. As an only child, her parents had high expectations of her manners and behaviour, yet never interfered in her major life decisions. Whether in her studies, career, or marriage, they gave her full trust and respect, supporting her to forge her own path. “They taught me to be polite and responsible, and as I grew up, they allowed me to explore, try, and make my own way.” To her, this was never neglect, but profound respect and trust, and a belief in allowing her to make her own choices. It is now a guiding principle in her own parenting.

“I don’t have a fixed set of parenting rules, but I constantly reflect on myself.” Angie said, firmly believing that there is no such thing as a “standard answer” in raising children. Although she majored in Early Childhood Education at university, she still finds parent-child relationships challenging to navigate. “Raising your own children is actually harder than teaching others’, because it’s tied up with so many expectations and emotional bonds.”

As a mother of three, she has gradually developed a deeper capacity for self-reflection — no longer insisting that her children simply follow instructions, but asking herself whether her own actions might be influencing them. In her parenting journey, she has learned to let go of rigid ideas about “how things should be”, and instead to explore and grow alongside her children.

True Parenting Begins with Listening from the Heart

Since her daughter entered Primary Two, Angie has been making conscious efforts to engage with her children’s inner worlds. “I’d ask my daughter what short videos she’s been enjoying lately — and then suggest we watch them together.” To her, trust between parent and child is not just about giving space, but more importantly, about listening from the heart and spending meaningful time together. She also highlighted that children are remarkably sensitive to adults’ facial expressions. “My youngest son was just over three years old when he told his father, ‘Stop saying “hmm” to me — you weren’t really listening to what I said.’” By fostering equal and respectful communication, children feel valued and become more willing to open up. It is through this connection and companionship, Angie believes, that even when her children grow up and face life’s challenges, they will still come to her to talk.

This sense of connection and presence, to Angie, forms the bedrock of parenting. “I don’t need them to grow up to be anyone in particular. I just want them to understand that education gives them more choices and freedom to pursue what they truly want.” She emphasised that parents should not impose their own goals on their children, but instead walk alongside them as they discover their own aspirations. “I won’t make decisions for them, but I’ll be there when they make those choices.” This philosophy, rooted in mutual respect and communication, nurtures independent thinking and teaches children to take responsibility for their own choices and a sense of accountability from an early age.

“Some parents fear that not watching their children closely enough may mean children can pick up problem behaviours in no time, but I do not believe any child changes for the worse in a single day.” She sees behavioural issues as signs of unmet emotional needs and a lack of everyday communication. “True companionship is not constant monitoring — it is about steady understanding and meaningful dialogue.” When children make mistakes or face failure, the most important thing they need is not blame, but a helping hand that supports them in getting back on their feet.

The Way to Nurture Harmony at Home: Don’t Be Stingy with Praise

When asked about the secret to her loving marriage with her husband Jonathan Cheung, Angie gave a heart-warming reply, “We are very mindful of manners. Even after years of marriage, we still say ‘thank you’ and ‘please’ to each other.” To her, these are not empty formalities, but expressions of respect and gratitude that subtly influence the atmosphere at home and gradually shapes every family member. “If you constantly criticise or complain, your children and partner will inevitably be affected, and their moods will turn increasingly negative.” She encourages parents to be generous with praise and mindful of the power of words. “If your child does something well, let them know by saying it out loud. On the other hand, if your child misbehaves and you criticise the child rather than the behaviour, she may start to believe she is inherently bad.”

Children Are a Reflection of Their Parents’ Lives

Balancing family and professional life, Angie and her husband have long shared the belief that parenthood should not mean putting personal goals and aspirations aside. “Now I’m slowly transforming myself into a ‘parenting influencer’.” After the birth of her third child, Angie pursued in a Master’s degree at The Education University of Hong Kong — not to change careers, but to deepen her understanding of parenting and to set an example for her children. She often brought her eldest daughter to the library, wanting her to see her that her mother was not only a caregiver, but also a woman with aspirations and determination. “If a mother keeps saying she gave up her dreams for her children, how can she inspire them to chase their own?” she asked. “If you want your children to live fully, you must first live fully yourself.”

“A Happy Family Begins with Communication, Listening, and Love.”

As the interview drew to a close, Angie distilled the essence of a joyful family into one simple yet profound truth: “The key to a happy family lies in communication, listening, and love. This has always been the guiding principle for our family.” From the gentle “letting go” she once received from her own parents, to the evolving companionship she now offers her children, Angie’s parenting journey reminds us that being a parent is not only about duty and instruction — it is a shared journey of growth, mutual understanding and enduring love.