Friday, August 09, 2019

National day as a parent

Normally, as a jaded adult in Singapore, you don't give two hoots about National day. I haven't been watching the parades since aeons ago, and I definitely do not wear red and white this day. Every time I hear the National day songs (except Home by Kit Chan), I cringe. I  might even escape the festivities by going for a short trip, especially this year when there is such a long weekend. Perfect for a short getaway to Bangkok or Phuket.


All that changed when my son was born. Who would have thought that I would play Mari Kita on YouTube just to watch him stand erect with hands straight down beside his body? Who would have thought that I would sing along the lyrics of our National song in order to inculcate some sense of patriotism and gratefulness for our homeland in him? Certainly not me 2.5 years ago.


But as I decked him in red and white, with his shirt showing the crescent moon and the stars, watching him wave his little hand-held Singapore flag excitedly whenever he spotted those big Singapore flags that dotted our neighbourhood, I can't help but feel a sense of belonging too. Before being a parent, I'm here but my heart is not here. I'm merely a participant but I'm not involved. After being a parent, I'm fully invested here.


It's a strange feeling. It's not the I ate the wrong thing and my stomach felt strange kind of strange. It's a warm fuzzy feeling that tingles down my spine kind of strange. I still don't wear red and white and I would rather die than be decked in those 2 colours to parade around the streets today. But I would teach my son to love his country religiously, to say the pledge, to sing the song and to be grateful for everything we have here. He might be a jaded old man in the future, aware of all the nationalistic brainwashing, cringe at all the national day songs he hears on the radio, but that can wait.


Who knows? Maybe his journey will be the same as mine, especially when he has his own kid who waves his little flags excitedly whenever he sees the bigger flags that dotted our neighbourhood.

13 comments :

Sillyinvestor said...

Hi LP,

I am decked in red. But it's just a form. Red doesn't mean patriotism.

We only know if we love the country in 2 ways.

Everyday u try to make it a better place in the little things u do.

U stick to it in crisis.

Much like marriage.

Wearing that ring is just formality

Singapore Man of Leisure said...

LP,

I've always loved watching the tanks and armour units during National Day parade.

This year I was like a kid all over again :)

So many new units and vehicles I've never seen before!!!

It was a nice touch to invite the pioneer generation of uniformed veterans at the end.


My primary schoolmates are showing pictures of theirs sons doing NS in Facebook.

If I were married in my 30s, yup, I would have sons doing NS now too.

I can sort of understand how you feel...

But then again, no.


I console myself that I come and go without making a print in the clouds ;)

la papillion said...

Hi SMOL,

Many ways to live in this world, and not one way is better than others :)

Regarding the NDP, I think maybe the new vehicles is a show to all the VVIP present there from around the region ;)

la papillion said...

Hi SI,

Very well said! Wearing black can be patriotic too :)

EY said...

Hi LP.

That's the wonder of parenthood. :)

I was like you, for many years. Then Shein took part in Chingay. I braved the afternoon sun and the humidity just to show up - for him.

Now that he is in NS and Shaun going in next year, I have been reminding them what and who they are defending for. They stand proud being the sons of Singapore. Majulah Singapura hasn't been sung in vain!

We live to make a better Singapore, if not for us, for our children then. :)

Happy National Day!

Cheers,
EY

la papillion said...

Hi EY,

Wow, NS already :) I still rmb them in secondary school :) They are good boys and they have the right values instilled by a good mum, haha! Let them find out the dark side of things when they grow older. Plenty of time for that.

Jes said...

Hi LP,

I wore red as they have sports day in school. And it's the first time I took our the Singapore flag to hang it. How things changed.... for the better I hope? On a random side, I can't believe they say the national pledge in Chinese too. We have to start learning! :)

la papillion said...

Hi Jes,

Hmm, not sure if it's for the better or worse, it's definitely different haha :) Last time my pledge is said in Chinese too. Maybe my school act cheena lah, haha

Bryan Roland said...


DO YOU NEED A LOAN?
We are a financial consultants that handles international finances for any amount of banking instruments. What about finding a reputable Debt Consolidation firm that can assist you in reducing monthly installment so that you will have affordable repayment options as well as room to breathe when it comes to the end of the month and bills need to get paid? Mr Steve Wilson Loan Firm (stevewilsonloanfirm@gmail.com) is the answer. Reduce your payments to ease the strain on your monthly expenses. Feel free to engage our leased facilities as We have provided over $2 Billion in business loans to over 25, 000 business owners just like you. We use our own designated risk technology to provide you with the right business loan so you can grow your business. Our services are fast and reliable, loans are approved within 24 hours of successful application. Whatsapp:+393510675312

* Personal loans,
* Truck Loans
* Car Loans
* Real Estate Loans
* Refinancing Loans
* Debt consolidation loans
* Education Loans
* Farm Loans
* Corporate Loans
* Business Start-up Loans

We offer loans from a minimum range of $5, 000 to a maximum of $500 million, STEVE WILSON LOAN FIRM Will give you loan with an affordable interest rate of 2% and loan duration of 1 to 30 years to pay back the loan (secure and unsecured). Our aim is to provide Excellent Professional Financial Services. Intermediaries/Consultants/Brokers are welcome to bring their clients and are 100% protected. In complete confidence, we will work together for the benefits of all parties involved. Do not keep your financial problems to yourself in order for you not to be debt master or financial stress up, which is why you must contact us quickly for a solution to your financial problems. It will be a great joy to us when you are financially stable
Email us via:

Yours Sincerely,
Mr Steve Wilson.
Whatsapp:+393510675312

We are certified and offer fast and reliable services

Bryan Roland said...


DO YOU NEED A LOAN?
We are a financial consultants that handles international finances for any amount of banking instruments. What about finding a reputable Debt Consolidation firm that can assist you in reducing monthly installment so that you will have affordable repayment options as well as room to breathe when it comes to the end of the month and bills need to get paid? Mr Steve Wilson Loan Firm (stevewilsonloanfirm@gmail.com) is the answer. Reduce your payments to ease the strain on your monthly expenses. Feel free to engage our leased facilities as We have provided over $2 Billion in business loans to over 25, 000 business owners just like you. We use our own designated risk technology to provide you with the right business loan so you can grow your business. Our services are fast and reliable, loans are approved within 24 hours of successful application. Whatsapp:+393510675312

* Personal loans,
* Truck Loans
* Car Loans
* Real Estate Loans
* Refinancing Loans
* Debt consolidation loans
* Education Loans
* Farm Loans
* Corporate Loans
* Business Start-up Loans

We offer loans from a minimum range of $5, 000 to a maximum of $500 million, STEVE WILSON LOAN FIRM Will give you loan with an affordable interest rate of 2% and loan duration of 1 to 30 years to pay back the loan (secure and unsecured). Our aim is to provide Excellent Professional Financial Services. Intermediaries/Consultants/Brokers are welcome to bring their clients and are 100% protected. In complete confidence, we will work together for the benefits of all parties involved. Do not keep your financial problems to yourself in order for you not to be debt master or financial stress up, which is why you must contact us quickly for a solution to your financial problems. It will be a great joy to us when you are financially stable
Email us via:

Yours Sincerely,
Mr Steve Wilson.
Whatsapp:+393510675312

We are certified and offer fast and reliable services

Unknown said...

Do you realize there's a 12 word phrase you can tell your crush... that will induce intense feelings of love and impulsive attraction to you buried inside his chest?

Because deep inside these 12 words is a "secret signal" that triggers a man's impulse to love, cherish and look after you with all his heart...

====> 12 Words Who Trigger A Man's Love Response

This impulse is so built-in to a man's genetics that it will make him work harder than ever before to make your relationship the best part of both of your lives.

In fact, triggering this dominant impulse is absolutely essential to getting the best possible relationship with your man that once you send your man one of these "Secret Signals"...

...You'll instantly notice him expose his heart and soul for you in a way he haven't experienced before and he'll identify you as the only woman in the galaxy who has ever truly appealed to him.

willian vivian said...

when I thought about the way things have been recently, i owe my thanks to God for letting me find this amazing personality, i mailed Mr. alex roughly 2 months now, I was actually very uncertain about investing, very scared because i was also low on cash.I gave it my all, my first investment of $2,000 two weeks ago brought me $ 29,230 last week, and what intrigues me the most is the way him handles he partners, i recommend him too to my friend jeff, after trading with him, his testimonies have let me come here to attest for him. We are happy to meet a professional in you. I am proud to recommend him to any person who has a passion for trading, meet a good mentor and get good fortunes.Contact this veteran at: totalinvestmentcompany@gmail.com

Susan Christian said...

Thank you Dr Emu for what you have done for me i would have been nothing today if not for your great spell. i want you my friends who are passing through all this kind of love problem of getting back their husband, wife , or ex boyfriend and girlfriend to contact Dr Emu , if you need his help you can contact him through his private mail: emutemple@gmail.com or you can contact him through his website https://emutemple.wordpress.com/ fb page Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple-104891335203341