• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Go to Expat Living Hong Kong
Get our Newsletter

Lifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living HomepageLifestyle Guide To Moving To & Living in Singapore - Expat Living

Moving to Singapore and not sure where to start? Expat Living is the essential lifestyle guide to living in Singapore.

Login Pelcro Shop

Menu
  • Living in Singapore
      • Living here
      • Neighbourhood Guides
      • Schools
      • Property
      • Work & Finance
      • For Guys
      • Environment
      • Readers’ Choice Awards
        • Rachel’s peaceful semi-detached house in Singapore
        • Design Orchard Singapore Fashion council activationExperience and shop Singapore brands at Design Orchard
        • Singapore History – Trivia & Things!
        • co-curricular activitiesAustralian International School turns 30: new facilities & more!
      • View all
    Close
  • Things To Do
      • Things to do
      • EL Events
      • Calendar
      • Competitions
      • Noticeboard
        • Singapore Chinese Cultural CentreWhat’s on this week and beyond
        • What we are listening to: Great podcasts, Music and more!
        • Great books: What to read this month
        • What to watch (or not!): Netflix series, TV and movies
      • View all
    Close
  • Kids
      • Enrichment
      • Kids Things To Do
      • Mums & Babies
      • Schools
      • Tots & Toddlers
      • Tweens & Teens
        • co-curricular activitiesAustralian International School turns 30: new facilities & more!
        • Portrait photography in Singapore: the best studios in town
        • Fabulous Father’s Day Present Ideas & Things to Do
        • character developmentAuthentic American education at XCL American Academy
      • View all
    Close
  • Homes
      • Home Decor
      • Readers’ Homes
      • Furniture
        • woody antique house artefactsAsian antiques, artefacts & outdoor furniture at Woody’s
        • Which florist in Singapore has a house on Duchess Avenue?
        • Home News: New furniture, home décor & services
        • Fabulous dinnerware, crockery and tableware in Singapore!
      • View all
    Close
  • Travel
      • Australasia
      • Rest Of The World
        • Holiday in Thailand resort on the beachTwo destinations for a holiday in Thailand
        • Travel News & Hotel Deals
        • Things to do in Dubai with familyHave some fun at one of the best hotels in Dubai
        • Beach holiday resortsFancy a long weekend getaway at a beach resort?
      • View all
    Close
  • Wine & Dine
      • Asian Cuisine
      • Western Cuisine
      • Bars & Clubs
      • Groceries & Speciality Services
      • Recipes & Classes
        • COL new restaurantHot new restaurant COL is a warehouse wonder
        • New Nibbles: Foodie news!
        • Hydration: Drinking water for good health
        • 16 of the best breakfast spots in Singapore!
      • View all
    Close
  • Style & Beauty
      • Fashion
      • Hair & Beauty
        • afternoon teaWhat to wear for afternoon tea in Singapore
        • Design Orchard Singapore Fashion council activationExperience and shop Singapore brands at Design Orchard
        • Where to buy buy essential oils in Singapore
        • anti-frizz hair treatmentFrizzy hair treatments – from keratin to hair botox!
      • View all
    Close
  • Health & Fitness
      • Dental
      • Fitness
      • Medical
      • Wellness
        • Where to buy buy essential oils in Singapore
        • Health News: What’s up!
        • candles in singapore with essential oilsCandles with essential oils – the perfect gift!
        • Top personal trainers in Singapore
      • View all
    Close
  • Shop
    • PRINT MAGAZINE
    • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Close

Being an expat stay-at-home-dad!

13th February 2020 by Expat Living 3 Min Read

https://expatliving.sg/expat-stay-at-home-dad-in-singapore/

Originally from Vancouver, expat KEN WATT moved to Singapore with his wife and son. He counts himself lucky to have had a supportive boss back in Canada, who allowed him to take nine months of parental care leave after his son was born. Since then, he has become a stay-at-home dad here in Singapore

What role did you play around the birth of your child, from hospital to home?

My role was front and centre, although my wife keeps reminding me that I didn’t give birth!

Meet an expat Dad!

Did you help with feeding?

After our son was born, my wife nursed him, and I changed nappies and burped him. After six months, I prepped solid food; now, I’m in charge of bottles.

Changing nappies: worst thing ever or just a part of process? Rate your nappy-changing abilities out of 10.

Piece of cake; 10 out of 10. I’ve been the point man on this from Day 1. Is there something you’ve become an expert at as a dad that you never expected to be good at? I’m intimately familiar with all the characters from PAW Patrol.

Was sleep deprivation an issue for your partner? What about for you?

Never in our wildest imaginings could we have thought we’d be so excited about getting four hours of uninterrupted sleep.

What’s the product you can’t do without for your son?

Full-length onesies. He lived in them up until he was two. They made dressing so easy, and he looked cute. What’s one thing you did before you had a kid that you miss? Going skiing regularly. Since we’re in Singapore, though, it isn’t such a big deal!

Any opinions on particular prams, car seats or other equipment for babies?

The Deuter Kid Comfort 2 worked really well on a recent trip to Italy, with lots of hiking involved.

What are your tips for travelling with kids?

Take a small bag with coloured clothespins, zippers, small toy dinosaurs, stickers and other random objects. A great diversion on long flights.

Where’s the best place you’ve travelled to with the family and why?

Aside from Singapore, which is great, I would say Cinque Terre, Italy. The people were kind and accommodating to our son, and the food and scenery were spectacular.

Got a favourite park or play centre in Singapore?

We go to Kim Pong Park in Tiong Bahru, where lots of parents bring their kids to in the late afternoon. We also like the recently opened Jubilee Park at Fort Canning, which has fun slides and swings for kids. As for paid play centres, Joy of Toys and Pirate Land.

What’s your favourite free activity with children in Singapore?

Hanging out at the Gardens by the Bay waterpark.

How do you get around Singapore?

We take the bus quite a lot, and use Grab Family. We just got a Ride Safer Delight to let us take regular Grab cars, and to be safe in taxis.

What local dishes does your child enjoy at hawker centres?

Chicken rice and steamed pork buns.

How do you get him to eat certain foods?

We’re lucky that he isn’t a picky eater. He likes broccoli and vegetables, and will eat pretty much anything.

What’s your approach towards screen time?

We fell into the trap of letting him watch a cartoon when we wanted to change him or put him in the pram. After a couple of months of that he started asking to see the phone as soon as he woke up. From that day, we’ve gone to no screen time. We just give him a really small bottle of milk if we need to placate him.

What’s the best thing about being an expat dad?

Well, it doubles the novelty; having a child and living in a new place. Not having to deal with Canadian winters here is a definite plus.

Any advice for men in Singapore who are about to become fathers for the first time?

Take as much time off as you are able when your child is born, and sleep now while you can!

This article first appeared in the Kids Guide 2019 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase a copy or subscribe so you never miss an issue!

 

Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox
Get the latest events, stories and special offers sent to your inbox

Categories: For Guys Kids Tags: Dad Dad in Singapore Stay-at-home-dad

Expat Living

Expat Living has everything to help you make the most of living in Singapore! We've got information on neighbourhoods, things to do and see, dining, entertainment, schools, travel, fashion, furniture, finance, health and beauty. And more!

You May Also Like

co-curricular activities

Australian International School turns 30: new facilities & more!

character development

Authentic American education at XCL American Academy

prenuptial agreement marriage contract

Should you have a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement?

Primary Sidebar

  • Competitions
  • Noticeboard
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • advertise
  • Contact
  • Privacy

© 2023 Expat Living Singapore, All Rights Reserved.