STI: From the mouths of babes

Mar 17, 2004

From the mouths of babes
by Clarence Chang

DEAR Mr Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,

My name is Joshua Brandon Chang Weng Kit. I'm six years old, in Primary 1 at Anderson Primary School. I wanted to write this letter to you because my Daddy has been telling me about what you and many other Uncles and Aunties in Parliament were saying about babies.

I think babies are cute, so good to have more. So the other day, I told Mummy and Daddy I wanted another baby. I'm not sure how they will put another one in Mummy's stomach, but I think God puts babies there, right? Never mind if God puts in a boy, like my brother Jay-Jay, or a girl. I was so happy when Jay-Jay came out of Mummy, I promised God I will be a good big brother all the time.

But sometimes it's not easy, I know, to keep promises. Like many times, Daddy promised to send me to school, but then suddenly, he must go to office early. So Grandma takes me instead.

But I'm not angry at Daddy. I know he loves me. It's just that sometimes he acts like that Daddy in that ice-cream advertisement on TV. You know that one where the boy just won a medal at school, but his Daddy didn't even notice when he came home from work? Only later on when the Mummy takes out the ice-cream, then only the Daddy says 'This is for my champion'? Yay! Finally!

I hope not all Daddies are like that. It's not very nice. Daddies should not always leave everything to Mummies. It's true. Like when my Daddy helps my Mummy to do things, I always see her smiling.

The other day, during Daddy's story about Parliament, there was this Auntie who said Singapore is a 'patriarchal' country. I don't really understand. Another Auntie said Singapore must slaughter 'sacred bulls', not 'sacred cows'. Also not sure what she means, but I know a bull is like a man, and a cow is like a woman.

There was also this Uncle who asked teachers to teach little boys like me to treat little girls as 'equals'. I hope people listen to him because that word sounds important. My teacher always says everyone in my class is special.

Then there were many other Uncles and Aunties, I remember, who wanted longer holidays for Mummies after they come back from hospital. That's also important, because Mummies must rest. Many times, when they are small, babies can be quite naughty and don't want to sleep. My Mummy says I was like that too.

Actually, I think better still if Daddies also can get more days off to help Mummies look after the baby. My Daddy calls it Papa Leave. He said there's this big committee that will decide, but last time, when Daddy asked them, they were not very excited about Papa Leave. They said not enough 'resources'.

So I told Daddy why not share? Mummies can get Mama Leave for a while, and Daddies can get Papa Leave for a while. Sharing is good. And then the Mummies' bosses won't be so angry, and the Daddies' bosses also, because the Mummy and the Daddy can both be back in the office quite quickly. Then everybody's happy, right? Especially the baby.

Can you please help to talk to the other Uncles and Aunties, Mr Lee? My Daddy told me you are also a Daddy. Four children altogether, right? The Uncles and Aunties are sure to listen to you. You can scold them.

Then maybe more Daddies will help the Mummies, because not every Mummy can be a Super Mummy.

I remember once my Daddy was joking, saying the Mummy is usually not only Home Affairs Minister of the house, but also Minister for Finance, Education, Environment and Health. Daddy says the Daddy is mostly only the Transport Minister, because he drives the car.

 

Another thing I don't understand. Daddy said it's very exciting to live in Singapore now, because many things are changing. I heard stories about new casino, new small flats and new ways to get into university.

But Daddy said many adults in Singapore still cannot work five days a week.

Why not? I think it's good to work only five days. I also go to school five days a week. Work, work, work all the time, is not good, you know. I don't like it when Daddy goes to work every Sunday, but I like it when he's off on Friday. Daddy said something about 'productivity' and 'business costs'. More big words. Anyway, I'm only a boy. I just know family is the most important.

But like Mummy said, we cannot always get everything we want. All I know is Mummies and Daddies love their babies very much. Even if they don't have enough time or money, they still want more babies. So if can help, must help, okay?

For me, luckily Mummy and Daddy decided to have me. If not, I have no chance to write to you.

Before I finish, can I tell you a secret? My Daddy said he has seen your office, and you have this coffee cup on your table with 'I love my Dad' on it. The 'love' is a red heart. Must be a present from your children, right? You must be very proud.

Guess what? My Daddy also has the same one! And it was me who asked Mummy to buy it for Daddy for Fathers' Day last time. Cool, huh?

That's why I say babies, Mummies and Daddies are all very loving. So I hope one day, there will be many more babies, Mummies and Daddies in Singapore. When I grow up, I want to be a Daddy too, the best Daddy in the world.

Thank you for reading my letter, Mr Lee. Bye!

Yours Sincerely,

Joshua Chang