Bridging Hearts, A Father-Son Story

For many Singaporean families, the teenage years bring about a silence — expected for some, but difficult to navigate for others. With the academic pressures of national examinations, navigating the mental transitions from childhood to adulthood, gaps can unknowingly form, which was the reality for this father-son duo, Jason Chew and Jaron Chew.

Jaron, at 16 years old, is in the midst of his ‘O’-Level preparations. Stress levels were higher than usual in their household. With much to think about and prepare for, such as EAE applications, conversations relating to academics started to become challenging to have without conversations becoming clipped or stalling.

“I wanted to urge him to start preparations early,” Jason says, “but I didn’t know how to say it without sounding like he’s ‘not doing enough’.”

Jaron felt the distance too. “I wanted to connect with my parents as I transition from being a child to an adult — understanding the real world, social norms, and what’s expected of me,” he shares. “But I didn’t know how to start that conversation.”

That’s when they found Bridging Hearts.

What Drew Them to Bridging Hearts?

Jason saw the programme as an opportunity. “My son is busy and stressed with ‘O’-Level preparations,” he says. “Bridging Hearts gave us a chance to spend time together intentionally; doing activities together, finding each other’s strengths, and go through this journey as one.”

For Jaron, it was about learning a new way to relate to his parents. “I wanted to bond with my parents and learn how to communicate with them on different things, and in that process, deepen our relationship.”

And Bridging Hearts helped them do so.

Learning the Right Words

Over three Saturdays, the pair — alongside Sharon, wife of Jason and mother to Jaron — practiced new ways of speaking and listening. They learnt how to phrase concerns without it alluding to blame, and how to ask for support without fearing being a burden.

The difference showed up fast.

“Bridging Hearts taught me how to phrase things better,” Jason shares. “The conversations about EAE applications no longer felt difficult to have; they became more collaborative, and more like working together towards a common goal.”

Jaron adds: “Bridging Hearts gave me the skills and tools to start the difficult conversations I was struggling with previously.”

A Safe Space, and A Village

One of the biggest surprises for Jason was the community.

“It’s a very safe space,” he shares. “You’ll meet other parents in similar situations to yours, and in your open sharing, give one another strength and support. The shared journey and experience provides you a community to grow together with.”

That community, the Bridging Hearts Village, is what keeps families connected long after the three sessions end.

What Would They Say to Other Families?

Jason’s message is direct: “I strongly encourage parents and teens to come. To parents: here, you’ll do activities together, bond, and discover strengths you didn’t know your child had.”

Jaron speaks to both sides.

“To teens: you’ll understand more about your parents, and realise that all of us are human, and we can relate more to one another than we think. To parents: Bridging Hearts provides an opportunity for you to lead your child away from the screen. It’s also a way for you to bond, learn something new about them, and understand them deeper.”