DURING a recent chat with friends, the topic turned to Father’s Day and what the men in the group would like to get as a gift. One said: “No need to buy me anything. If my wife could keep silent… Read More ›
Dad’s Journey
Dad, it’s not Cool to Hang Out with You
When children hit their teens, they don’t want to be seen with their parents. And that means less time for bonding LIKE many fathers who seize opportunities available to spend time with their children, I am my kids’ taxi driver… Read More ›
Why ‘No’ is a Good Rule of Thumb
Once, on the eve of a Champions League football final, my son Shaun called me at work and asked if his junior-college friends could catch the 3am game at our home. “Sure,” I said. I was on the late shift… Read More ›
The Dad Who Wasn’t There
I got so caught up in enforcing curfews that I missed a chance to encourage my daughter MY THREE children came back from a youth camp once, exhausted but happy. Marcus, went on about the fun he had had and… Read More ›
When You Comin’ Home, Dad?
Dump the long runs and golf. It’s weekend sleep-ins and cheng tng outings that really matter to this father MY FAMILY and I were on our way home after dinner recently when Harry Chapin’s song “Cat’s In The Cradle” came… Read More ›
How Fathers Can Do Their Sons a Service
MY SON Shaun and I were watching a war movie on television once. He was about six then. Midway through, he turned to me and asked: ‘Dad, when I grow up, must I be a soldier?’ ‘Yes,’ I said. ‘If… Read More ›
Like Son, Not Like Father
I used to laugh when some people did not want their children to take after them. But I’ve since changed my mind A COUPLE of years after I graduated from university, I spotted one of my English Literature lecturers at… Read More ›
Dad, I Want To Be a Bodyguard
MARCUS, the youngest of my three kids, has talked about moving to Japan to work and live there. When I heard this, I thought it was a fantastic idea. This boy who is all of 16 has dreams and ambition. He… Read More ›
When Work Gets in the Way
One weekend, a good friend SMSed me to meet him for dinner that Tuesday. He, his wife and I go back a long way and we became close friends after going through some rough patches in life together and also… Read More ›
Dads for Life Toolbox 