When my son Solomon completed his Primary Education and started his Secondary Education, I understood that he would change graduately. He would be reticent and independent.

The first time I attended his school's parents meeting, I was quite disappointed. I heard the principal sharing her experience. She thought that children would be rebellious. I always accept advice from others, but I wondered why we could predict that children would be rebellious when they grew up.

At the second meeting, the professional also had the same thought. Why should we think that children would be rebellious? If we think thing will be wrong, it will.

I thought my Solomon would be more and more mature. He would also as close to me as when he was young. I shared my thought with him, and he said, "Dad, don't go for the meeting anymore."

I used to assist Solomon in his Chinese Language. Hence I had an opportunity to read his weekly reports submitted to his Chinese Language teacher. In his reports, he mentioned that it was a challenge for him to get used to the new environment. He also thought that there was pressure for the homework. He had hope on the project his team developed. He was pleased with the reward on their team's hard work. And the most important was he had the attitude of requiting kindness with gratitude. From his weekly reports, I tried to understand his problems and worries. I then tried my best to assist him in overcoming his difficult times.

Receiving his Primary School Eagle Award (2006)

Assembling his Director's Chair (2006)

We ever got angry with each other as well as not talking to each other. When that incident happened, I remembered the parenting I attended at the Bedok Lutheran Church when Solomon was young. I understood that sometimes I needed to punish my son, but I must solve our problems with the love of God. I also told him what was on my mind.

Solomon attended the kindergarten of Jurong Christian Church for three years and he had then behaved very well and feared God. Both of us loved cats. He told me that it was unfair that we could not keep cats in the HDB flats when he was young. He said that Children who love cats were more merciful. Therefore cats helped us to compromise when we were in trouble.

'Driving' my dad's car (2007)

Taking pictures for each other (2007)

I reminded Solomon that he should reserve each Saturday and Sunday as our Family day. If any of his friends laughed at him that he still went out with parents, he could just talk his friends that we loved our family members. We later reserved our Saturday morning to take breakfast and Sunday morning to attend church service together. Other than those hours, he might make appointments with friends.

Our interest in photography (2008)

Award in film-making (2008)

There was a Sunday evening at about 9.30, he requested me to let him go out to meet a friend. He later told me that he had made copies of VCD. It was the project his school mate took up and he assisted him. I told him that as long as he did his homework and it was legal, I would allow him to do so.

We then discussed about the part-time work. I told him that money was the issue. He learned from the working experience. He could go ahead to take part in the project his school mate awarded, but he must give priority to his homework. He had a good school mate who arranged the transport for him when they worked until late night.

Solomon once helped his school mate in a concert of Andy Lau. He did not tell me and I was asleep when he was back after mid-night. He told me indirectly because he was worried that I would get angry. When he realised I did not get angry, he said that he got a souvenir of the concert for me.

Although he had been 16 years old, I reminded him that he had to let me know if he came home after 11.30 p.m. At the eve of the new year, he requested to go out with friends for the countdown ceremony. I was very happy for his manner. I gave him some money. We were glad for each other's consideration.

Be both father and friend (2009)

Father thought that I was ready for adventure (2009)

We went to Bangkok for a five-day free and easy trip before Christmas.

The first night when we were in Bangkok, we visited Phaphong Night Market. It was famous for night life in Bangkok. I would like Solomon to see the nightclubs and the attractions. I would like Solomon to see how to reject the invitations in a good manner. But we did not see anything as we went there too early.

Solomon had completed his secondary education. He would be with the different groups of people soon in his studies, military service and working environment.

May God richly bless Solomon, our beloved child.

Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6