Parenting documentaries are a dime a dozen. All feature kids of course. But while most profile both the dads and the moms (mostly the moms), few focus primarily on dads. Unless it's religious in nature. Like the excellent 2014 documentary by Focus on the Family called "Irreplaceable." As well as most films (War Room; Courageous) … Continue reading Film Review – Apple TV Documentary “Dads”
In the interest of full disclosure, I want to say that this post might rub readers the wrong way, especially if you're an ethnic Chinese who's proud of your race, its culture, and numerous traditions. And especially if you love the annual promise of spring and new beginnings that the lunar new year purports to … Continue reading Why I resent Chinese New Year. And yet…
Yesterday I was sharing with a couple of friends how parenting is analogous to navigating open waters. For currents and weather are often unpredictable, even to the most seasoned of fishermen. The same goes for parenting. Babies don't stay babies. Neither do toddlers and prepubescent boys. They grow. They change. In ways not always predictable. … Continue reading Father-son bonding #3 — Investing emotionally in children pays the “best dividends”
It's official. Since my last post on this, I've decided: I shall not call myself a "stay-at-home dad" anymore! In fact, technically speaking, I probably couldn't from the very start when I stepped away from a full-time career in 2018. While I had several weeks and months without any work or income thereafter, I did … Continue reading Parenting Motivations #14 — Am I still a stay-at-home dad? (Part 2)
It was bound to happen I suppose. Just when I thought everything was cool and we have the best kid in the world, he goes and breaks the family rule on handphones. Despite having signed a contract for it too. And in so doing, break a trust. Talk about a reality check! For wilful defiance … Continue reading Parenting Motivations #13 — Of handphones and trust
Hey, welcome back to my occasional guest post series! Now some of you might remember my good friend and fellow dad Stephen from a moving post he contributed to my blog last December. Today I'm pleased to have him back! This time though, the topic is extremely controversial. So if you're not in the frame … Continue reading Guest post – A fellow dad’s appeal to protect SG
Slightly more than a month ago, I wrote what I called a 'truth' letter to my sons. It's a letter I hope they will read one day when they're old enough to understand. And one I hope contains truths they too will embrace as their own some day. For like it or not, this isn't … Continue reading Parents, don’t succumb to a binary world of simplistic-thinking
Below was a petition letter I emailed last Sunday to a member of parliament representing my constituency. It was one I had originally planned to draft and send out next month. However, I recently found out a major announcement will be made by my nation's Prime Minister tomorrow at his annual National Day Rally speech. … Continue reading My first petition letter to a member of parliament
All of us go about our days wearing different hats as we transit from one role to another. When at work, we’re the power executive in tailor-made Armani suits. After work we change into our Lululemon sports gear for that weekly HIIT workout. Then afterwards, we’re home in our Alex Mill PJs tucking our kids … Continue reading Parenting motivations #11 — Am I still a stay-at-home dad? (Part 1)
In my last post on this series, I touched on how setting boundaries was necessary with teens. So what's one opportunity I thought would help do so? Why, a regular dedicated meeting aka family time of course! I still remember late last year when my wife mooted the idea to have an "assembly" every week. … Continue reading What I learned from parenting workshops #5 — “family meetings” aren’t “family time”!
