Wishing all mums a Happy Mother's Day!

With all that you're going through and whatever you're hoping for, keep trusting the process ♥️ Growth will come all in good time, and we hope you will experience glimpses of beauty in the waiting.

We love and appreciate you for all that you are and all that you do 🥰

Working as one team as husband and wife enables you to cover each other’s weaknesses, while complementing each other’s strengths!

In this second episode of a two-part series, Joel and Jilleen share how they navigate their differences and challenges, and the bumpy process they go through to find a middle ground.

Listen to Episode 42 of the #Connect2Podcast to hear about their journey!

https://connect2.captivate.fm/episode/how-a-strong-marriage-helped-me-be-a-better-parent

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

The highly-anticipated Best Date Ever is back and we are inviting you & your spouse to have your Best Date Ever on 21 Sep 2024 🥰

With fun and intentional activities all planned out for you, you can look forward to a meaningful time of connecting with your spouse over Lunch or Dinner.

Seats are limited! Register today at www.family.org.sg/BestDateEver ✨

📍Family in the Headlines [Sep 2024]

Exam season is upon us. While it’s easy to focus solely on academics right now, there’s something else equally important we can nurture: Resilience.

💭 What does resilience look like?
Resilience can take different forms. When it comes to exams, it includes not just the ability to stay calm under pressure, but also to bounce back from setbacks.

📰 Managing stress is a valuable life skill. Learn how to here: Why Am I So Stressed by My Child's Exams?

💭 How do I encourage independence?
It can be tempting to manage every detail of your child’s exam preparation. But letting them take ownership can build independence —a key building block of resilience.

📰 Have you allowed your child to practise being independent? What does it take to raise your child to be independent?

💪 How do I help them deal with setbacks?
Setbacks are inevitable, even for our children. The recent Mobile Guardian cybersecurity incident is a good example of a teachable moment to remind them that life's value goes beyond grades.

📰 How can we teach our kids to look at the bigger picture, and realise there are multiple ways to lead a meaningful life?

This exam season isn’t just about academic preparation—it’s an opportunity to support your child in building the inner strength, independence, and confidence that will carry them through life!

To stay updated on news surrounding the Family and for an insider perspective on larger trends and societal happenings, subscribe to our newsletter.

📍Family in the Headlines [Oct 2024]

In today’s rapidly changing world, our children are surrounded by messages about relationships and sexuality from many sources, many of which can be confusing. As parents, we can instil in them strong values as we navigate these topics with them.

💭 The power of conversations at home
But where do we begin? These age-appropriate questions might be a good place to start:

• What does respect look like when you interact with your friend of the opposite sex? (For primary schooler)
• What healthy boundaries would you set for yourself when dating someone in future? (For teens)
• What three values would you like your future spouse to have? (For teens/late teens)

🗣 Check out our newly launched equipping and conversational videos: Talk About Sex Video Course

💭 Youth and pornography

As our children become more digitally connected, they may encounter inappropriate content like pornography, which can distort their understanding of healthy relationships.

📰 How can we guide our children to understand such harms?
1. Youth, porn and the digital age: what’s a parent to do?
2. Why is pornography so addictive?

💭 Navigating a rapidly changing digital world

New challenges like deepfake technology make it even more crucial to equip our children with strong values.

How can we nurture strong beliefs that can act like an inner compass and help our children make healthy decisions, even when we're not around to supervise them?

📰Read more about deepfake porn: Social workers in S’pore raise concerns over deepfake porn

💪🏼 Where do we begin?

It all starts with trust. By fostering conversations about love, respect, and healthy sexuality, we give our children the foundation they need to form healthy relationships in the future.

Let’s take the first step in having these meaningful dialogues at home, ensuring our children feel prepared and supported as they grow.

📰Read more on these sexuality topics:
1. Gender identity and sexual orientation
2. Consent and boundaries

To stay updated on news surrounding the Family and for an insider perspective on larger trends and societal happenings, subscribe to our newsletter.

📍Family in the Headlines [Feb 2025]

A New Vision for a Singapore “Made for Families”
The recently announced Budget 2025 brings fresh initiatives, including a new Large Families Scheme, affirming Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the government’s commitment to supporting couples with three or more children. Alongside enhanced parental leave, bigger Baby Bonuses, and improved housing grants, these measures offer vital financial reassurance for young couples considering family life.

Yet, one must ask: is financial support alone enough to foster a vibrant, family-centred society?

🙏 Investing in Equipping Parents
Government policies rightly focus on children’s development. Equally important is equipping parents with the right skills. Imagine programmes offering credits for parenting courses (similar to SkillsFuture Credits)— helping resolve conflicts, manage temper tantrums, and address challenging behaviours. Investing in parenting skills strengthens the quality of family life and builds long-term social stability.

📚 Discover how a more holistic parenting approach could look like: 7 ways to raise good kids without resorting to tiger parenting

💡Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Parenting
Today’s parents face an overwhelming flow of advice, often leading to self-doubt. Embracing imperfection and learning on the job can transform the parenting journey into one of shared growth and joy. After all, parenthood is a unique adventure, not a quest for perfection.

🕵️‍♂️ Read the piece by CNA: 'Everyone thinks they're experts': How advice overload is fuelling parents' self-doubt

💍 Strengthening Marriages for a Resilient Future
A strong marital bond is crucial for positive child development. While supporting young families, we must also nurture enduring marriages, especially during critical stages when divorce rates peak during the 5-10 year mark. Long-term policies that support both the early and later phases of family life are essential for a stable society.

🧰 Get this free resource from us to weather the seasons of marriage: Marriage Through the Seasons

Let’s champion a future where policy meets cultural change—a society that supports families not just financially, but through our thoughts, beliefs, and the actions that follow ♥️

To stay updated on news surrounding the Family and for an insider perspective on larger trends and societal happenings, subscribe to our newsletter.

📍Family in the Headlines [Mar 2025]

🏠 Supporting Men & Women in Parenthood Aspirations

Singapore’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has remained at a historic low of 0.97 in 2024 despite it being the Year of the Dragon.

How can we support men and women in their parenting aspirations, while remaining sensitive to some of the deeper attitudes that some may hold about parenthood?

📰 Read more: Singapore’s TFR at 0.97

💭 What’s Changing?
Marriage and parenthood are evolving—many young couples now prioritise fulfilment, sometimes viewing parenthood as an obstacle rather than a milestone to reach these ideals.

Beyond costs and lifestyle, could deeper fears, past experiences, or societal attitudes be shaping these views?

📰 More insights: Married without kids—on the rise in SG

💡 Shifting Perspectives
What if parenthood was framed not as a sacrifice, but as an opportunity for personal growth and building a legacy beyond ourselves? What if we saw it as a second chance to experience joy and connection in ways we may not have had growing up?

A small shift in how we talk about parenting could plant the seeds of change in how society views family life.

How can we create a society where parenthood feels less daunting and more enriching?
✔️ Foster community support through mentorship and intergenerational connections.
✔️ Champion work-life integration so family and career can coexist.
✔️ Encourage open conversations about the joys—not just challenges—of raising children.

By fostering a culture that supports parenthood, we can build a thriving future for families.

📰Read this new dad’s fatherhood experience: A Day in the Life of a New Dad

📍 Family in the Headlines [Apr 2025]

🗳 GE2025: What should first-time voters look out for?

With elections around the corner, many are asking: What kind of Singapore do we want for ourselves—and the next generation?

Hear from 2 young Singaporeans:

👶 Douglas, 26: “As I vote for the first time, I think of my unborn daughter. The choices we make now shape the Singapore she’ll grow up in.”

💭 Sharon: “When I first voted, I was single & politics felt far away. Now, married & planning for kids, issues like housing, cost of living, mental health & parental leave feel real.”

📖 Read Douglas’ reflections here: GE2025 – Wishlist of a First-Time Voter and Expecting Dad

📱Catch Sharon's thoughts here: “I Didn’t Care About Politics Until I Had my own Home”

🎯 Questions to ask the young people in your life:
1. What issues matter most to you?
2. What’s your dream for Singapore?

💬 PM Wong to first-time voters: “We hear you. I hear you.”

💍 Can marriage become desirable again?

Douglas hopes so: “We need stories of faithful marriages, and mentors to guide couples through hard seasons.”

🏡 For children to thrive, we need supportive families and strong communities—schools, workplaces, and neighbourhoods that put the wellbeing of people before performance.

When families flourish, children develop a sense of security, belonging, and purpose.

🗳 Let’s vote with intentionality—for the future we want to build together.

📍Family in the Headlines [Jun 2025]

Mid-year reset: Reflecting on our family goals

Whether you're a parent, spouse, or young adult, this mid-year is an invitation to slow down — and take stock of how your family life is growing!

👨 A note to fathers: Progress over perfection

Whether your goal this year was to spend more time at home, be more emotionally present, or simply survive a stressful season, remember: fatherhood is not about perfection,

🔎 Related reads:
👨 A father’s reflection  
👨 Burnout among Singaporean Dads on the rise

💍 A pause for marriage: Where are we headed?

If you set a goal at the start of 2025 to deepen connection or improve communication, now is a great time to check in with each other!

🔎 Recommended read:
💍 Fairness in Marriage Need Not Always Be 50-50

👩 For mothers: Grace in the growing years

Being a mother often feels like juggling multiple roles, emotions, and expectations of not just your own, but the family’s.

You’re not alone — and you’re not failing. You’re learning, and there is grace for you.

🔎 Recommended reads:
💭 How emotionally immature parents harm their kids
👊 30% of teens say they’ve been bullied in school


🌱 Young adults: Shaping your future

If you’re a young adult, this is your season of becoming — and your family story plays a part in shaping who you are and who you want to become.

🔎 Good reads:
💭 3 Gen Zs share candidly how family shapes their identity
🏡 Young Singaporeans’ view on love and commitment

Whether you're thriving or just hanging on, know that mid-year is not a deadline — it’s a checkpoint. There’s still time to grow, pivot, and build what matters.

📍Family in the Headlines [Aug 2025]

🧭 Navigating Kpods with Hope and Clarity

Vaping was banned in Singapore in 2018. Yet, more youths have been vaping in recent years, some as young as 10.

While the headlines may feel alarming, they’re also a chance to pause as a family — to reflect and respond with clarity, compassion, and courage.

🌱 Parents: Pause to Understand
Youth vape for many reasons—stress, boredom, peer pressure, curiosity. Social media and misinformation add to the confusion.

It’s normal for teens to explore. What they need is your guidance and understanding.

🔎 Related reads:
One in three vapes found to contain drugs
Varied reasons behind why youth vape
Why this concerns all of us

Reflect: What’s one way I can better understand my child’s world?

💬 Start the Conversation Early

Changing mindsets starts with a conversation.

Be casual, curious, and candid. HealthHub adds: be collaborative, empathetic, and humble.

🎧 Helpful resources:
Don’t jump into problem-solving mode
The Art of Difficult Conversations

Reflect: How can I respond with curiosity instead of control?

❤️ Help Is Available
Addiction affects the brain — and the bonds we share at home. If someone you love is vaping or at risk, don’t face it alone.

🔎 Recommended reads:
Fighting the threat of vapes
Safe ways out for addicted youth

Reflect: What kind of support system am I building at home?

Let’s keep showing up for each other and build the kind of home that weathers any storm.

📍Family in the Headlines [Sep 2025]

🏡 Being Safe Spaces for Our Children

September = exam stress + a reminder to create safe spaces for our kids—especially after recent bullying concerns at school. Whether it’s school, home, or mealtimes, our children need support and connection.

👨👩 For Parents: Supporting our Children Through Exams

Exams can be tough. Respond with empathy, not pressure. Your calm presence builds resilience.

🔎 Read:
De-stressing exam stressors (Free printable exam cheat sheet!)

🎧 Tune in:
Help, my child is stressed over exams!
Positive Discipline: Why is it useful and how do I apply it?

🌱 For Couples with Young Kids: Reclaiming Mealtimes

Mealtimes matter. Say no to screens and yes to connection. Set boundaries together and make meals meaningful.

🎧Tune in:
Creating a calm and welcoming home for kids
How to handle screentime withdrawal symptoms

💭 Reflect: What’s one way I can help my child feel safe and supported this week?

📍Family in the Headlines [Oct 2025]

🎶 The Truth About Explicit Lyrics, Idols & TikTok Trends

As the holidays approach, many of us tend to relax screen time rules for our children — after all, it’s a time to unwind. In today’s ever present digital world, explicit content can easily slip through via trending music, viral TikTok challenges, or popular shows, often disguised as harmless fun.

While the Ministry of Health (MOH) provides screen time guidelines, many parents still wonder: what’s the real harm? The truth is, what children see and hear online can subtly shape their values, self-image, and behaviour.

🔎 Related reads:
The Big Deal About K-pop Idols And Hollywood Stars

🎧Download this:
Conversation Starters for Healthy Sexuality

💭 Reflect: Have I done enough to prepare my child to navigate screen time independently?

🤫 The Hidden Messages in Music and Trends

Modern pop songs have become increasingly explicit, often using double entendres to veil sexual themes. For example, in Taylor Swift’s song “Wood”, lyrics like “curse was broken by your magic wand” and “opened her thigh” suggest sexual imagery beneath the surface of a love song. While such lyrics may seem artistic or metaphorical, they can have a deeper psychological impact— especially on young listeners.

Music influences behaviour, especially in teens. Songs with sexual or violent lyrics, like in today’s pop music, can encourage or normalise risky behaviour. That’s why it is crucial to:
- Engage in open conversations about music
- Set age-appropriate boundaries
- Help teens think critically about lyrics

These steps can empower them to make healthier, more informed choices.

🔎 Recommended resources:
Being the first voice of reason
Raising kids to be wise about sex and relationships
Age-appropriate ways to help our kids develop a healthy understanding of sex

💭 Reflect: What is one way I can help my child think critically about the music they listen to?

Whether it's lyrics or TikTok trends, it's important to start conversations at home and equip our children with the tools to think critically and make wise decisions — even when you're not around.

📍Family in the Headlines [Jan 2026]

👀 What Our Boys Are Seeing Online — Insights for Parents

A 2025 report by Common Sense Media, Boys in the Digital Wild: Online Culture, Identity, and WellBeing, highlights how online content is shaping boys’ self-esteem, values, and understanding of masculinity.

Here are key insights every parent should know:

What Boys Are Exposed To

- 73% of boys regularly see content about “being a man,” often centred on money (44%), musclebuilding (39%), and fighting (35%).
- 68% say these videos appear because algorithms push them, not because they searched for them.
- 69% encounter gender stereotyped messages, and 1 in 5 see them at very high levels.

How This Affects Them

- Boys with heavy exposure are almost 3× more likely to have low self-esteem (14% vs. 5%).
- They’re more likely to feel “useless at times” and to hide their emotions (67% avoid discussing feelings).
- 91% see body transformation content, and 24% feel pressure to change how they look—rising to 41% among those most exposed.

🧠 Why Critical Thinking Matters

Adolescence is a formative season. Helping boys analyse and question what they see online is essential to building healthy identity, values, and resilience. This raises an important question: How are we equipping boys to think critically about digital media?

🔎 Related reads:
Is the Internet Parenting My Child?
How Do I Impart My Family Values to My Children?

Reflect:
- Do I regularly discuss my child’s online experiences?
- What values am I modelling in my daily behaviour?

📍Family in the Headlines [Feb 2026]

Navigating Festive Gatherings with Grace

In the midst of CNY gatherings, there’s often more happening beneath the surface. Behind the lo hei, laughter and pineapple tarts, reunions can carry quieter, more complex moments.

🗣️ When small talk gets uncomfortable
Festive questions often come from care — but they can land heavily:
• “Got promotion already?”
• “Time to settle down?”
Sometimes what’s asked casually touches hopes or disappointments we’re still processing.

💭 Showing up when it’s difficult
Family reunions bring together people with shared histories — and sometimes, shared sensitivities. Not every hard conversation needs to happen at the dinner table, but a simple boundary or an honest “I wasn’t comfortable answering earlier” can open space for understanding.

🍊Read this: How small talk might still shape us in meaningful ways

💭 Balancing the tensions of family
CNY often holds two layers at once:
• the visible rituals — oranges, photos, updates
• and the unseen work of navigating relationships that are layered and imperfect
Family life stretches us — but it also grows us.

🎧 Listen to this podcast on navigating difficult conversations

Wishing you and your loved ones a meaningful, heartening Lunar New Year.

Believe family matters despite its challenges? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Family Future Makers offers a safe space to find clarity, hope and a healthier way forward with a community of like‑minded youths.

👉 Register your interest here.

📍Family in the Headlines [Mar 2026]

Singapore’s fertility rate has hit a historic low
TFR fell to 0.87 in 2025, down from 0.97 the year before — the lowest ever recorded.

If the trend continues, every 100 residents today may have just 44 children and 19 grandchildren. Our leaders have rightly called this an “existential challenge.”

🔎 Beyond policies, a deeper question

What if the issue isn’t just incentives — but how we imagine success?

We’ve learnt to equate success with: Career mobility, financial growth, and personal freedom. These are all good things, yet they can quietly push marriage and children to the margins, as if they don’t fit the script.

💭 Parenthood isn’t a practical decision

On paper, children cost time, money, and flexibility. But the rewards are relational, slow, and intangible. These are hard to measure, and easy to undervalue.

🌱 Maybe it’s not desire, but dissonance

Maybe it’s not a lack of desire for children, but a mismatch between:
• Our values
• Our pace of life
• Our definition of success

Related reads:
💬 Why are youths not dating anymore? I Asked Youths, What is the Point of Dating?
🌿  Can success come in other forms from what we’re used to? Marriage and Kids: A Junior College Student's Insights

Perhaps the question is not “Why aren’t people having more children?” but “What might our vision of success look like if it naturally made space for family, relationships, and the next generation?”