Category: parenting

Boon Wee wants to be a professional basketball player

I was pleasantly surprised when Boon Wee mentioned he wants to be a full-time basketball player.
We were in CNA’s webseries feature “Heart to Heart Talk – Dare to Dream”.

Boon Wee Basketball player

The webseries focus on the children, their Dreams and in general, the education system in Singapore.
Our friends from EdUnloaded were also featured.

I know the kids love sports, be it soccer and basketball (Funny, me and Mrs were never into sports). However, to be a professional sportsman (and woman), it is a whole new ball game (pardon the pun).

It demands a whole new level of commitment and support, and cannot sustain on Passion and Dreams alone. Example, our host Benjamin (from Sam Willows) was a former National Swimmer.
We see the medals and achievements of sportsman when they win, but how many of us appreciate the hard work and sacrifices behind the scenes?

I got to be honest with my kids, sports as hobby and sports as a livelihood, are two different matters.

How many parents will support their kids to pursue their Dreams and Aspirations?
Or do we expect our kids to live our own Dreams (to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer etc)?

Video : 4 families were interviewed about their kid’s DREAMs. The frank answers are refreshing.

I will support Boon Wee (and siblings) if he really wants to be a professional basketball player.
But I need him to understand his own decisions.

Is this really what you want?
You got to make your own choice.

Son, once you make up your mind, I will support you all the way!

There is never Right or Wrong, even failures are considered a learning experience.
But we need to be bold and take that first step.

Abseiling – what was I thinking?

Climbing up the narrow stairway at Climb Asia, doubts and nervousness taunted my mind. As I peep down from the 15m platform (about 5 or 6 storey tall), I psyche my legs not to go jelly. It would be so embarrassing if I give up now (How would I face my kids etc )

Gripping tightly to the safely lines, you try not to maneuver too much in the tight confined platform. While waiting for my turn, I keep asking myself questions.

-How did I end up in this predicament?
-Why did I volunteer to abseil?
-What was I trying to prove?
-The WHATs, the WHYS the IFs kept trying to discourage me from taking the plunge.

Abseiling (or Rock climbing) is never second-nature to me. I keep repeating the instructor’s instruction to double-confirm I am not doing anything haphazard funny.

The first step (leap of faith) is always the hardest to overcome, imagine your whole body leaning out of the platform!

For abseiling beginners me, the second most difficult task is SMILING for the photographers (plural intended)! Dangling in between nowhere, with all my muscles tensed up, I need to show a V-sign and smile.

Walau (dialect expression of exasperation), I just want to quickly make my descend!

Video Gopro : My legs still get a little bit wobbly when I playback this video. I am proud that I have accepted DBS’s challenge and embraced the new experience

From a parenting perspective, I have always encouraged kids to test their own limits, and emphasize how Sports can train and develop our determination and character.

I have a fear of height, but if I can convince the kids that I can overcome my height phobia, I hope they will have the confidence and courage to face their own challenges. On the other hand, if I fail to conquer my own mental block, kids might grow up with height phobia stigma too.

Some say the best way to teach is leading by example. I hope my abseiling experience has managed to inspire (SPARK) our kids.

Thank you DBS Spark for the invitation, I can now proudly tell the kids that Daddy had Unlock one more level (games speak) πŸ™‚

And this is how it all started. I had volunteered myself with one of DBS Spark‘s initiatives. Boon Wee was supposed to join me but he went for basketball instead.

It would be cool to attempt abseiling together with my boys again. On second thoughts….

(image credit DBS Instagram)

Abseiling might be my Fear Factor, but interested participants can checkout more thrills from Climb Asia (Facebook).

Click for other stunts performed by Daddy Andy before (here, here and roller coasters). I will do anything to Inspire my kids!