We all want a village – until you realise yours includes emotional potholes, unsolicited advice, and the grandma who calls your daughter “chunky”.

But as a foreign correspondent and mum of two, I’ve seen firsthand that in some parts of the world, grandparents aren’t a source of stress – they’re the glue that holds the whole thing together.

In Singapore, grandparents are a lifeline for millions of working families. Half of all 18-month-olds have Granny or Grandpa as their primary caregiver. In exchange, parents give grandparents a monthly allowance of a few hundred pounds.

Sure, Singaporean mums still get annoyed with their in-laws – but crucially, they know how to keep the peace.

Watching them, I learned that with patience (and maybe a little money) it is possible to weave grandparents into daily parenting rhythms without losing your mind.........

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