FCN Session 6: Fathers Reflect on the Values That Shape a Lifetime
- ibrahimdawood
- Jul 31
- 3 min read
On 29 July 2026, 17 fathers came together for Session 6 of the Fathering Community Network (FCN) to explore a simple but profound question:
What values do we hope our children will carry with them when they leave home?
Unlike a traditional talk, this session was designed as an interactive dialogue, giving fathers the opportunity to learn from one another through reflection, discussion and shared experiences.
One of the evening's highlights was the "Backpack Activity." Fathers were invited to imagine that their child was about to begin life's journey with a backpack that could hold only five values. Faced with ten important values—including faith, honesty, respect, gratitude, resilience and self-discipline—each father had to decide which five mattered most and explain why.
The activity sparked thoughtful conversations and demonstrated that while every father may prioritise values differently, the common desire is the same: to raise children who make wise choices even when no one is watching.
Learning From One Another
The discussion that followed was rich with personal stories and practical insights. Fathers reflected on the influence of their own parents, the challenges children face today, and how everyday conversations and consistent modelling shape character far more than repeated instructions.
Many participants commented that hearing different perspectives from fellow fathers was one of the most valuable aspects of the evening. The openness of the discussions created a safe environment where fathers could learn not only from the facilitators but also from one another.
What Fathers Are Taking Home
The post-session feedback showed that the session had achieved its objective of prompting both reflection and action.
Among the key insights shared were:
Understanding that every father may value different qualities, yet all are striving to raise children of good character.
Recognising that children learn values best through everyday moments, especially when parents connect those values to real-life situations.
Appreciating the importance of modelling qualities such as faith, respect, humility, resilience and self-discipline rather than simply talking about them.
Learning from the experiences and stories shared by other fathers.
When asked what they intended to practise with their children, fathers shared commitments such as:
Strengthening their children's faith.
Being more intentional in demonstrating humility.
Building resilience.
Staying more engaged with their children's daily lives and activities.
Continuing to reinforce values through everyday conversations.
Encouraging Feedback
The overall response was overwhelmingly positive, with most participants giving the session the highest rating.
Several fathers commented that:
The discussions were engaging and everyone had opportunities to participate.
The personal sharing made the learning meaningful and practical.
They would like to see even more real-life case studies, role plays and sharing of personal parenting experiences in future sessions.
One father summed up the evening beautifully:
"I was really tired before coming, but I always look forward to these BapaHebat sessions because they help me grow as a father. Alhamdulillah."
Another participant reflected that fathers must continually adapt as their children grow:
"As our children grow, their priorities and understanding change. We need to nurture their minds so they can become even better people than we are."
Looking Ahead
FCN continues to provide a space where fathers can learn, reflect and support one another in their parenting journey. Session 6 reminded us that our greatest legacy is not found in what we own or achieve, but in the values we intentionally pass on to our children through the lives we lead every day.
As BapaHebatSG continues to strengthen the fathering community, we look forward to welcoming fathers to Session 7, where we will explore practical communication approaches that help fathers have conversations which encourage understanding, ownership and positive change in their children.
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