Hey J my precious son, Since my first post about it, I'm getting both excited and nervous as I start planning our December staycay. Truth is, I've never in a million years thought I would be undertaking such an ambitious project -- to take us away for a father-son bonding retreat. Just us two. To … Continue reading Father-son bonding #2 — Rites of Passage
Category: Parenting
On World Children’s Day – How a poolside encounter reminded me what truly counts
On World Children's Day, let me share about a recent poolside encounter. A couple of weeks ago, I overheard an interesting conversation between a male who looked to be in his late 50's and a young boy about my son's age of 12. The exchange took place at a neighbourhood pool where I go for … Continue reading On World Children’s Day – How a poolside encounter reminded me what truly counts
Parenting Motivations #5 — Our first family cell phone agreement
Son, congratulations on owning your first cell phone! You’ve proven yourself mature and responsible enough for us to entrust you with this modern-day device. Given that you have a new cell phone in your hands now, courtesy of your mom and me, we obviously trust you to make good decisions. So why are we making … Continue reading Parenting Motivations #5 — Our first family cell phone agreement
My Violin Virtuoso — From Verve to Vitriol
Dear J my precious boy First off, I'm sorry. I had no idea you felt so much vitriol now for the violin. Recently, when we broached the topic of you returning to violin lessons after a long break (to prepare for your PSLE), your almost knee-jerk reaction and rejection of the idea threw your mom … Continue reading My Violin Virtuoso — From Verve to Vitriol
Father-son bonding #1 — “Now that exams are done, …”
Hey J my precious son, First and foremost, CONGRATULATIONS! After six long years of primary school education, you're finally done with that Holy Grail of a gruelling national examination (the PSLE or Primary School Leaving Examinations). That which forever decides which secondary school you'll go to next year. Of course it's only the first of … Continue reading Father-son bonding #1 — “Now that exams are done, …”
“Tomorrow I’ll miss you” — my son’s last Children’s Day
The shrill delight in my youngest son's loud declaration reverberated across our home yesterday morning. C was emphatically reminding us that it was Children's Day in my land. Yet for some nebulous cosmic reason, what actually came to my mind when I heard him was a voice from another land instead. Or should I say, … Continue reading “Tomorrow I’ll miss you” — my son’s last Children’s Day
On Children’s Day: Another stay home dad’s musings
I'm so pleased today to introduce a fellow stay home dad and his musings on Children's Day 2021 (celebrated today in my country). This is also my blog's very first guest post on parenting! Woo-hoo!! (For more in my blog on parenting, click here) Cliff Tam's a friend I got to know in June this … Continue reading On Children’s Day: Another stay home dad’s musings
Sports: How I came to play my least favourite game!
For the longest time, sports was never my thing; I would much rather sit down with a good book. Even now when I regularly swim, jog or brisk walk, I would still never call myself a sports enthusiast. I do those merely to stay in as pink a health as I can. For, unlike other … Continue reading Sports: How I came to play my least favourite game!
Mental Wellbeing #2 of 2: Parents, listen without prejudice!
Last week I wrote about the unfortunate, ongoing trend of parents who don't listen to their kids, invariably leading many of them into depression. Or worse. Today, I want to share some practical strategies to help parents, should mental health issues ever surface in our children. It'll also be my way to archive valuable info … Continue reading Mental Wellbeing #2 of 2: Parents, listen without prejudice!
Mental Wellbeing #1 of 2: Parents, we must listen. Now!
Yesterday was World Suicide Prevention Day. It takes place every year on September 10. Three days ago, I posted about one possible emerging trend related to suicide. One that, if not addressed, might make matters worse for grown men everywhere (feel free to check it out here if you've yet to). Today I want to … Continue reading Mental Wellbeing #1 of 2: Parents, we must listen. Now!