Father- Child Activity in collaboration with Singapore Bowling Federation on 13 November 2010.

The morning started with gathering at school at 0845 waiting for the coach to bring us to Orchid Bowl @ Chevron, 48 Boon Lay Way. Another group who drove there on their own met us at 0945. Together there were 27 pairs of Father-Child.

3 coaches and one administrator Mr Aida met us at the bowling centre. We referred to the notice board where we were assigned lanes. We were given a quick briefing and were handed over to the coaches where each coach took care of about 8 to 9 pairs. This was followed by instructions about bowling techniques as well as the technical details of bowling. After some demonstration and coaching the father-child teams were given time to play and have fun. Fathers also acted as coaches to their children.

Fathers given opportunity to coach their children

I could see during and after the end of the session, there were many hugs and interactions which brought delight to me knowing that the objective of father-child bonding has been achieved.

After the bowling session, I shared with the fathers the Five Key Reminders on fathering:

• Be there. Be present. Know your priority.
• Embrace your child’s uniqueness. Affirm your child.
• Set boundaries. Rules to help them learn to be respectful.
• Love yourself. Love others. Love yourself first.
• Be their role model. Have positive relationship with your spouse.

Also, 10 ways to bond with your child:

• Go for a hike
• Share your childhood memory
• Ask child to suggest an activity with you
• Have a meal together in the middle of the day
• Read together at the library
• Write a love note to your child
• Attend a concert
• Have a holiday
• Open an account for your child and teaching about savings
• Have dinner together regularly and have meaningful conversations.

Other key points in the sharing:

• Give your dad a hug and thank him for coming for this session.
• A life time is not too long to be friends.
• Children, remember who dependent you were on your dad when you were young? Stay close. Dads give priority to the relationship with your child. Children honour and obey your fathers. Protect the relationship.
• Communicate regularly at a deeper level, not just at the factual level.
• Practical: A card was given to each participant. Write a note to your child and child to your Dad. Express what you would like to say to each other in words.

The song “Cats in the Cradle” was shared. Lyrics were given. It is a reminder on how important it is to build strong relationship with your child and not to lose the family bond to work demands.

The Core Team in GM set up in 2010 dressed in the Dads for Life Tshirt.

Bowling Teams