Banker. Roughhouser. Sports coach. Bath-giver. Chauffeur. Fight mediator. Bedtime story reader. Soft drink/bottle drink opener. IT support. Lightbulb changer. Cockroach killer. General handyman.
Gen X dads wear more hats than their fathers and grandfathers ever did. They are no strangers to building blocks, bubble baths and brushing tiny teeth, and are part of a generation where the role of sole breadwinner or disciplinarian is no longer default.
While their kids can range from 2 to 25, every Gen X father is as integral as Mum to the demands of a child’s social and emotional development, especially in these trying times of mask-wearing, hand-sanitizing and redefined normalcy.
How fitting that these men in our lives be honoured, celebrated and loved even harder on June 20. Their kids (some with Mum’s help) give us a sneak peek of what they can expect.
James Henry Lejtenyi, 19 months
James gifts his father Kenneth, a 49-year-old sales director, a bloody nose, hugs and kisses (head butt-style) on an average day. But Father’s Day calls for something special, so James’ mum Michelle – a big believer in “presenting items you cannot find at any mall or on Lazada” – has started a gift tradition on her son’s behalf.
She says: “On Ken’s first Father’s Day last year, I created a montage of photos of him and James for his mobile phone wallpaper. The joy on his face was worth the hour I spent trawling through my iPhone photo album for the best variety of shots. I’d love for James to take over when he’s older, as a meaningful way to mark their bond through the years.”
Cameron Eber, almost 3
Cameron’s mum Helen gets involved when it comes to Father’s Day gifts for her husband Darren, 44, a student. “We like to give something small and meaningful,” she says, adding that “past gifts include a keyring with pictures of Darren and Cameron, and mugs with family photos which we use every day. It’s lovely to have the photos from each stage as kids grow up so fast.”
Describe your Daddy…
Daddy is strong and fun. I love jumping on him and snuggling before bedtime.
Is it difficult to figure out a present for Daddy every year?
Yes… Mummy helps to choose and order.
What is Daddy getting this year?
A Lego Superman that says Daddy is our favourite superhero. We love superheroes!
Ryley Arden, 5
Like his sister Kaia, 3, Ryley loves spending time with his dad, 47-year-old baker Cameron, the man behind Instagram sensation Ardens Bake sourdough seed crackers. The duo play “hockey”, cycle and read together.
Describe your Daddy…
Dad’s like a chimpanzee, he likes to play with us. He also likes to watch TV, eat bananas and bake.
Do you think it is important to give a present on Father’s Day?
Not important, we should just have fun!
Is it difficult to figure out a present for Daddy every year?
No, Mum tells me to make a card. This year, I will make one myself. He’ll be very happy to receive it!
Guillaume Van Brempt, 5
Preschooler Guillaume and younger sister Jade, 3, keep their dad Geert, a 53-year-old regional managing director, very busy. They hit the pool, go for drives, read together, listen to songs and play with toys.
Describe your Daddy…
He always brings me out somewhere on the weekend, and he gives me treats.
Do you think it is important to give him a present on Father’s Day?
Yes. Because I like presents! So I want to give him a present. And because I love Papa.
What is Daddy getting this year?
I know what Papa likes: wine and chocolate. When I give them to him, he will say thank you and be very happy!
Chace Sew Hoy, 7
Chace is the oldest of three boys (his siblings are Tate, 4, and Tyron, 2) to hedge fund trader Marcus Sew Hoy, 41. Marcus has his hands full reading, playing “army battles” and going to the beach to build “wicked huge sandcastles with a tough defence system!”
Describe your Daddy…
He loves to watch YouTube in the bathroom! And he’s a go-getter. Whatever he puts his mind to, he will do it. I love him because without him, I wouldn’t be here!
What presents has Daddy received so far?
One time, we wore matching T-shirts that said “Go Team Daddy!” to take photographs as a family (my youngest brother wasn’t born yet). We have also cooked a big breakfast of Daddy’s favourite sunny-side-up eggs, bacon and sausages.
Is it difficult to figure out a present for Dad every year?
Not really. He loves Indian food so I can always get him some prata or curry, which will put a big smile on his face. Mummy will help because I need her money to buy the food. This year he will get a handmade card, and maybe 5kg of Indian food!
Isabel Lee Imran, 7
Isabelle is the oldest daughter of marketing professional Imran Johri, 47. They are part of a close-knit family of five – comprising mum Ivy, brother Iden, 6, and sister Ileia, 3 – who play games like Dungeons & Dragons, and talk about Pokèmon.
Describe your Dad.
Funny, sometimes annoying, and loving. I love him because he is always there for me!
Is it important to give Daddy a Father’s Day present?
I’m not sure. Buying a present makes Dad happy, but I just want to spend more time with him. We don’t really have time to hang out because he is busy with his work.
Is it difficult to figure out a present for Dad every year?
Nope. Mum helps me! This year, he will get a T-shirt with his favourite anime printed on it. I have also made him a card. When he receives it he will say: “Wow, Kakak, such a nice present!” And then he will hug me.
Heather Ng, 13, and Joshua Ng, 15
When not relaxing by watching Netflix and YouTube videos, media strategist Jonathan Ng, 47, bonds with his teenagers. Right now, he’s stressing out helping Heather build a miniature (doll)house, and planning a holiday project with Joshua.
Describe your Dad.
Heather: My Dad is nice. He always looks out for me, and helps me when I’m stuck (except for studies, that’s usually Mum). He sometimes makes things like wallets and pouches for me and Mum, and I treasure them. I also love him because he gave me a full head of thick hair like his, so thanks, Pop! 😀
Joshua: Dad is innovative, optimistic, legendary. Out of everyone in the world who could’ve been my father, he is the one who can fulfil that role best!
What presents have you given Dad before?
Heather: I painted him a card. I put a lot of effort into it and now it’s sitting in his room, and one of the first things you see when you walk in.
Joshua: Mum usually lists what he likes, and we decide from there. I’ve gifted him a watch. This year, maybe I’ll get him a new camera.
Is it difficult to figure out a present for Dad every year?
Heather: Yes, extremely difficult. Usually when I don’t know what to get for Dad, I’ll ask my brother or Mum and we will pick a present together.
Joshua: As the years go by, gift-giving and gift picking has gotten increasingly challenging especially since we cannot give duplicate presents. 🙁
Aira Lim, 15 and Renn Lim, 18
He’s a tour de force in the advertising world as the co-founder and creative director of Kinetic Singapore, but for Pann Lim, 48, family always comes first. His kids Renn and Aira regard him as “funny and incredibly hardworking” and feel blessed to have such a great dad.
Are Father’s Day gifts important?
Aira: Yes and no. Material gifts are nice, but a small act of kindness such as cooking a meal is much more thoughtful.
Renn: Commemorating Father’s Day is about spending time together as a family. But gifts also allow him to look back on the day through the years.
What’s the best present you’ve given Dad so far, and is it getting harder to think of one over the years?
Aira: A Masked Rider action figure, based on one of his favourite shows. I will never forget the elated look on his face! It’s not difficult… I think I know him well enough to know what he would like. I also know all he wants are simple, precious things like hand-written notes and spending time together.
Renn: A toy from his favourite childhood Japanese TV series, Ultraman. He was really surprised and thrilled. I don’t really find it difficult to think of a gift. After so long, I know what he likes. I have never asked Mum for help. She does remind us…”Eh, Father’s Day is around the corner, you guys prepared anything yet!?” 😛
How has gift-giving changed over the years?
Aira: Now that I have more savings, I can buy him more toys or small collectibles from his favourite movies and cartoons. Dad will always be happy no matter what. Except that time when Mum bought him a jigsaw puzzle. Now I know I will never get him that!
Renn: We recently finished putting it together as a family. It took way too long.
Rachel Quek, 25, communications and outreach executive
Rachel, who has a sister Olivia, 16, is the daughter of Quek Swee Chong, 56, an obstetrician and gynaecologist in private practice. She previously joined the avid angler and vinyl collector in Ladakh during his annual medical volunteer trip to screen women there for cervical cancer, and calls him “the most generous man I know… he’s my hero”.
Do you think Father’s Day gifts are important?
In our family, it’s always more important to show appreciation and love, through a gift or something else. Father’s Day gifts aren’t expected, but we like to do something special anyway. Dad has very kindly received a huge range of presents from me and my sister, from hand-drawn cards to questionable flowers picked off the floor.
Has gift-giving gotten easier over time?
I think Father’s Day is always a great opportunity to show him how much we love him and how important he is to us – something we should do more often! I really like the challenge of thinking up the perfect gift. And I’d like to think my choices have gotten less questionable over the years. I think he’s responded with relief!
How easy is it to impress him with a gift?
It is near impossible to buy presents for him… he’s the best gift-giver in the family. In keeping with tradition, I’ve ordered a big steak dinner for us on Father’s Day. Now that I’ve got a job, it’s really special to be able to buy a meal for him! He is a carnivore just like me, so I’m sure he’ll be excited to chow down. I don’t think the food will last long!
