Advertise on podcast: ParentEd

Who are the trusted adults and role models shaping your child's life, and what influence do they have on your child's confidence, character and development each day? In this episode, we welcome Glenn T. Stanton, Director of Global Family Formation Studies at Focus on the Family. An author, researcher and international speaker, Glenn equips audiences around the world to engage thoughtfully with issues relating to marriage and family. He explores how mothers and fathers each make unique contributions to raising children who grow into confident, secure adults. Drawing on research and personal experience, he discusses differences in play, communication, discipline, risk-taking and emotional development. Rather than competing, these parenting approaches complement one another, helping children develop resilience, empathy, confidence and a healthy sense of identity. -- Focus on the Family Singapore is hosting our very first podcast community event, Beyond the Mic: A Live Podcast Experience for Couples and Parents — and you’re invited! Join us for a special time of connection and meaningful conversations, featuring popular guests from our podcast community. Meet the voices behind the episodes, connect with fellow listeners, and pick up practical insights for marriage, parenting, and family life. Find out more: www.family.org.sg/Beyondthemic -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

As AI becomes part of everyday life, many parents wonder whether it is helping or hindering their children's development. Should children learn with AI or without it? To answer that question, we need to understand both the technology and ourselves. "If families are going to spend time with technology, don't just consume. Create something together." In this episode, we speak with Ian Tan, a lecturer at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University and a generative AI coach, who offers a refreshing perspective: the biggest challenge is not AI itself, but our understanding of learning, parenting, and human growth. Rather than focusing on keeping pace with technology, Ian encourages parents to return to the fundamentals by developing AI literacy, nurturing curiosity, strengthening values, and helping children build genuine expertise. He emphasises that AI amplifies existing habits and character, making it even more important for families to cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and meaningful human connections. -- Focus on the Family Singapore is hosting our very first podcast community event, Beyond the Mic: A Live Podcast Experience for Couples and Parents — and you’re invited! Join us for a special time of connection and meaningful conversations, featuring popular guests from our podcast community. Meet the voices behind the episodes, connect with fellow listeners, and pick up practical insights for marriage, parenting, and family life. Find out more: www.family.org.sg/Beyondthemic -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

Worried about your child's screen addiction, excessive screen time, or dependence on digital devices? Research has shown that positive connections in early childhood play a fundamental role in shaping the brain's architecture. Strong parent-child relationships help build neural pathways, reduce stress hormones, and support cognitive development. What can parents do to strengthen family connections in an increasingly digital world? We speak with Alicia Yah, an early childhood educator and mother of four, who explains why the real concern is not just screen time itself, but the meaningful relationships and connections that screens may be replacing. Learn how to recognise the warning signs of unhealthy screen habits, discover practical ways to strengthen parent-child bonds, and explore realistic strategies for setting healthy screen-time boundaries. Find out how small daily moments, device-free mealtimes, and intentional conversations can help build stronger family relationships, support emotional wellbeing, and foster a healthier balance with technology at home. -- A ground-up initiative To Equip, Engage and Empower Good Start Conference, started in 2022, is a ground-up initiative championing inclusion in Singapore’s preschool sector. Created to equip, engage, and empower educators, the Conference brings together practitioners and leaders to grow in inclusive practice, strengthen their impact, and help every child thrive. As we celebrate five years of inspiring early childhood excellence, we turn our attention to the heart of child development—social emotional learning. Because children who understand their emotions and connect meaningfully with others don't just succeed academically; they flourish in every area of life. Come ready to learn, connect, and be inspired as we give every child a strong and hopeful start in life. Find out more at www.goodstart.sg. -- Focus on the Family Singapore is hosting our very first podcast community event, Beyond the Mic: A Live Podcast Experience for Couples and Parents — and you’re invited! Join us for a special time of connection and meaningful conversations, featuring popular guests from our podcast community. Meet the voices behind the episodes, connect with fellow listeners, and pick up practical insights for marriage, parenting, and family life. Find out more: www.family.org.sg/Beyondthemic -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

What role do parents play in their children's development? Every child has unique strengths, but recognising and nurturing them often requires parents to look beyond grades and achievements. In this episode, David Jedidiah Goh and May Ling share how they helped their 18-year-old son, Perez, discover his strengths through encouragement and intentional involvement. From learning to prioritise responsibilities in Primary 1 to persevering through a challenging Chinese storytelling competition, Perez developed resilience, confidence, and independence through everyday experiences. David and May Ling also share the importance of trusting Perez to make responsible choices and giving him space to take ownership of his learning journey. Their story highlights how strong parent-child relationships provide a safe foundation for growth, reflection, and character development. As parents, are we creating opportunities for our children to thrive and speak life into them? -- If you’d like to explore more ways to have meaningful conversations with your children, you can check out the episodes below. How to Be the Parent Your Teen Still Turns toHow to Listen and Invite your Kids into ConversationHelping Our Kids Thrive in a VUCA World -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

As our children face the pressures of exam season, remember the importance of affirmation. They need to hear not only what they can improve on, but also what they are doing well. Host June speaks with educator and mother of three Jocelyn Wee about how she supported her daughter through a challenging exam year while learning to manage her own emotions and expectations. She reflects the importance of extending grace, not taking stress-fuelled reactions personally, and creating space for open conversations. Jocelyn encourages parents to focus on affirmation rather than criticism, recognising their children's effort, growth, and resilience. She also reminds parents to be kind to themselves, recognising that they too are navigating a demanding season alongside their children. -- For parenting resources, visit www.family.org.sg/resources to read more. Redefine Success and Raise a Happier ChildHow to Manage Stress and AnxietyDe-stressing Exam Stressors -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

What if the biggest shift in parenting begins not with our children, but with ourselves? In this reflective conversation, host June speaks with pastor and mother Jenni Ho-Huan about collaborative problem-solving, and the mindset shifts it requires of parents. Rather than seeing children as problems to be fixed, Jenni invites parents to view them as individuals with unique perspectives, emotions and potential. Through candid stories from her own parenting journey, she explores acceptance, emotional regulation, and the importance of creating a safe space where children can contribute, think and grow. Parents are constantly challenged to examine their own beliefs, anxieties and expectations, recognising that parenting is an ongoing journey of self-awareness and growth. This conversation encourages parents to seek deeper connection, understanding and partnership with their children. Find out more about Simple Tips for Happy Kids. -- For more parenting resources, you can check out the articles below. Re-writing the Parenting ScriptHow to Parent a Strong-Willed ChildKeys to Understanding Your Gen-Z Child -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

All of us want to have value. All of us want to belong somewhere, and for many, family is that place. Life begins with family. Hosted by June, this episode spotlights young family champions Hannah Cheong and Adele Wang as they share their FamChamps journeys and explain why strong families matter. Hannah reflects on how family shapes identity and provides a sense of security, while Adele opens up about overcoming low self-esteem and learning that no family is perfect—but perspectives can change. Together, they discuss how weak connections at home, academic pressure, and poor communication can leave young people feeling unseen or valued only for their performance. Yet, they offer hope: young people can show grace and take steps to strengthen family bonds. Their encouragement is heartfelt: invest in family now, push past awkwardness, communicate face to face, listen without judgement, and remember that a small “how are you?” matters. -- This Family Future Maker program is for youth ages 18–30 who care deeply about strengthening families and want to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Find out more www.famchamps.sg/FFM2026. -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

How do married couples stay together when pulled between raising children and caring for ageing parents? What family support helps them navigate these hardships? In this episode, host June creates a safe, honest space for Vincent and Jean Goh to share their 21-year journey—marked by love, planning, and courageous conversations that began even before marriage. Through caregiving for a father with dementia, alongside parenting and work, they face tension, conflict, and guilt. Yet trust, faith, and daily check-ins help anchor their marriage through caregiver burnout. Vincent speaks candidly about feeling “stuck in between”, while Jean shares openly about emotional exhaustion and depression—realities many couples quietly carry. Their story reminds us that marriage resilience is built through choosing your spouse and family, again and again. If this season feels heavy, simply say, “let’s try again.” -- For more family resources, you can check out the articles below. How to Spot and Prevent Parental BurnoutIdentifying Burnout Before It’s Too LateKeeping Love Alive While Raisng a Large Family -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

Fatherhood is evolving. Today, modern fathers are discovering both the joy and challenge of parenting with emotional presence, shared caregiving, and deeper connection, even as they juggle work–life balance, fatigue, and changing expectations. Holding multiple identities—as a son, husband, father, friend, and employee—can feel demanding, especially when life’s rhythm keeps shifting. Host Aaron speaks with young fathers Daniel Lopez and Benedict Ng about early fatherhood, dads’ mental health, self‑doubt, and support within community life. Presence matters more than perfection. Parenting isn’t meant to be walked alone. As Daniel reflects, “Learning to do life again in a vastly different form, and to be completely available while struggling with my own capacity.” Parenting comes without a manual. Every child reshapes the fatherhood journey. Benedict shares, “It’s okay to fail at the start. I needed to hear that—otherwise, you think you have to be the perfect dad already.” To every father listening: you matter too. -- Available for download: Fatherhood Survival 101 - A Guide To A Mentally Healthier You If this conversation resonates with you, explore more Fatherhood episodes through the links below. Parenting from a Place of WholenessWhat I WIsh My Daughter KnewA Good Father - What Does it Entail? -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

Parents play a powerful role in helping children stay away from drugs. According to the National Drug Perception Survey, nearly 95% of youths say that having parents who actively talk with them about drug‑related issues has helped them remain drug‑free. In this episode, host Ee Jay speaks with Dr Adrian Loh, spokesperson for the National Council Against Drug Abuse (NCADA) and a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. They explore why drug abuse prevention remains a critical issue for families today—especially as drugs have become more accessible through digital platforms, online messaging, and overseas exposure. The message to parents is clear: start conversations early, with children of any appropriate age, and don’t wait for warning signs. Resources are available, and keeping communication open matters. Dr Loh encourages parents to ask open‑ended questions that invite honest sharing. This isn’t about fear or control, but about trust, connection, and consistent guidance, helping children build resilience and make safer choices. -- If you’d like to explore more ways to have meaningful conversations with your children, you can check out the episodes below. Building a Culture of Mealtime ConversationsHow to Listen and Invite your Kids into Conversation -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

The reality of motherhood is filled with deep love and hope, yet it often carries quiet, unseen struggles. From burnout and self‑imposed expectations to the courage it takes to ask for help, it is a journey that stretches the mum in you in unexpected ways. In this special episode on motherhood, June speaks with two mothers at different stages of life. Jasmine Goh, married for 27 years, reflects on raising two young adult sons. Adelene Chan, married for 15 years, shares her experience of parenting three young children. Together, they explore what the process of becoming a better mum truly looks like—not through perfection, but through growth, self‑compassion, and kindness. Their stories remind us that being “good enough” often means letting go, caring for ourselves, and choosing presence over unrealistic ideals. Above all, this conversation offers gentle reassurance: you are learning, you are growing, and you are not alone. -- If this conversation resonates with you, explore more Motherhood episodes through the links below. The Journey of Becoming MumWorking Mum Burnout: How do we Recognise the Signs?How can Mums Derive Joy and Security in Motherhood? -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

“A lot of parental guilt comes from the expectations parents place on themselves. When they can’t meet them, they assume they have failed — even when they are doing their best.” - Mark In this episode, June speaks with Mark Lim, Director and Trauma‑Informed Counsellor at The Social Factor, about the powerful weight of parental guilt. He reflects on how guilt grows from unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves, whether physical, financial, or emotional. Fathers and mothers may experience guilt differently, but the core fear is the same: not being enough. Through honest anecdotes, Mark shows how guilt surfaces in everyday moments, choosing work over a child’s needs, losing patience, or blaming ourselves for our children’s mistakes. Left unaddressed, guilt can become heavy and even inherited across generations. Healing begins with connection before correction, self‑compassion, and relational repair. When guilt shows up, pause, reconnect with your child, and extend the same grace to yourself that you hope to teach them. -- Life can be overwhelming. Having a listening ear can bring relief, help you feel supported, and improve relationships. Make an appointment with a counsellor today. Fees apply. Find out more www.family.org.sg/counselling. -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

Many of us strive to be patient and purposeful parents. But when we fall short, we often become our harshest critic. We wonder, why am I reacting in the very way I promised not to? Parenting often reveals our impatience, our imperfections, and at times our unresolved wounds—but also our deepest hopes and joys. In this episode, June speaks with our parenting trainer, Dr Wu Mi Yin. She invites parents to explore the role of self‑compassion in strengthening their parenting journey. She explains how our inner critic is often triggered because so much feels at stake—we want the best for our children, yet the process is slow, stretching, and deeply human. Mi Yin encourages parents to notice the signs of self‑criticism through thoughts, physical sensations, and emotional reactions, and to respond with pause, reflection, and gentleness. Her practical tips—such as journalling, naming our feelings, creating space to rest, and practising emotional “gym time”—help parents build the inner strength needed to stay calm, connected, and present. When we extend understanding to ourselves, we naturally extend it to our family too. -- Sign up here to create an account with Focus on the Family Singapore to access a wide range of marriage and parenting resources designed to nurture and strengthen your family relationships. -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

Busy parents can build values into everyday life through simple routines—reading bedtime stories, having conversations during mealtimes, praising small acts of kindness, and asking children gentle reflection questions. These consistent touchpoints help children naturally internalise important values. June, our host, spoke with early childhood educators Ashley Yeo and Joanna Lee—both mothers and certified parent coaches—who explain why values are the foundation of raising confident, grounded children. They describe how values act as anchors, helping children handle peer pressure, make sensible choices, and navigate emotional challenges. Through real examples, such as choosing honesty or practising forgiveness, they show that children learn best when parents model the behaviour they hope to teach. Ashley and Joanna remind parents that they are their child’s strongest teachers. Everyday interactions provide meaningful opportunities to reinforce values. Their encouragement is to start small—notice the good, name the value, and live it out. Shared family values give children a steady compass to guide them with clarity and virtues. -- Sign up here to create an account with Focus on the Family Singapore to access a wide range of marriage and parenting resources designed to nurture and strengthen your family relationships. -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.

Many parents are beginning to recognise how deeply our childhood experiences shape the way we show up in our parenting today. We absorbed patterns growing up — how conflict was managed, how emotions were expressed, and how love was shown. These early lessons can strengthen us, but at times, old hurts or unmet needs resurface in the way we respond to our children. So how do we parent with openness, acknowledging and working through our own childhood issues? And how do these past experiences influence our children’s sense of safety and identity? In this episode, Ee Jay speaks with Kelvin Seah — a father of two, educator, and passionate advocate for fathering. Kelvin helps us unpack what it means to recognise and take ownership of our childhood wounds, and how the healing journey can transform the way we parent today. -- Life can be overwhelming. Having a listening ear can bring relief, help you feel supported, and improve relationships. Make an appointment with a counsellor today. Fees apply. Find our more www.family.org.sg/counselling. -- If you have enjoyed this episode, please leave us a rating and review on Spotify, Apple Podcast or Podchaser. It'll be very helpful for others to find our podcast. You can also help us by copying this link www.family.org.sg/parentedpodcast to share with your friends. You can also support us by giving monthly. We appreciate your generous giving as every dollar helps to sustain our efforts in strengthening families. Please note that if you are based in Singapore, as a donor-supported charity with Institution of a Public Character status, all monthly and one-time donations of $50 and above, will qualify for 250% tax deduction.