💬 When Fathers Talk About Bullying — 14 Dads, One Purpose

ibrahimdawood
6 days ago
2 min read

Last night (29th October 2025), fourteen fathers gathered at The Foundry for our October Fathering Community Networking Session, a space where everyday dads come together to learn, reflect, and grow.The topic — “Bullying in School: What Fathers Can Do.”

It wasn’t a lecture. It was a circle — a safe space where men could speak honestly about their fears, past experiences, and hopes for their children.

👨‍👦 Starting with Heart

The evening began with warm conversations over light refreshments as new fathers introduced themselves and shared about their families.When the main session opened, we explored why fathers matter in tackling bullying.

We discussed how bullying isn’t just physical — it often shows up as teasing, exclusion, or online ridicule. Yet behind every story, there’s a child trying to stay brave, and a father trying to make sense of how best to help.

💭 Part 1: What Is Our Experience?

Facilitators invited each father to reflect:

What did bullying look like in our own school days?
Have our children faced similar experiences?
How did that make us feel as fathers?

What emerged was raw honesty. Some remembered being victims. Others admitted they once stayed silent when friends were teased. Many realised that their children’s experiences today — especially online — can be even more complex and isolating.

“Each of us brings a story — some of pain, some of learning.What matters is what we do with that story now.”

🔍 Part 2: How Have We Handled Them?

In the second segment, fathers shared real-life reactions:

“I told my son to toughen up.”
“I went straight to the school.”
“I didn’t know what to say.”

We reflected on what worked — and what didn’t.Together, we learned that listening first often works better than reacting fast.That calmness opens doors.That partnership with schools matters more than blame.

✅ Helpful: listening, calmness, collaboration.

❌ Unhelpful: overreaction, shaming, or staying silent.

💡 Part 3: What Should We Do?

The final discussion focused on action — both personal and collective.

Fathers proposed simple, doable steps:

Have a daily 5-minute talk with our kids.
Notice changes in behaviour early.
Partner with teachers, not confront them.
Build peer support among fathers so we don’t face parenting challenges alone.

“Our children may not remember every word we say,but they’ll always remember how safe they felt with us.”

🧭 Fathers’ 3-Step Guide

To close, we introduced the Practical 3-Step Framework:

1️⃣ Notice – Observe mood and behaviour changes.

2️⃣ Nurture – Listen calmly and validate feelings.

3️⃣Navigate – Partner with teachers or counsellors to act together.

A reminder echoed across the room:

“Connection before correction.”When children feel safe with us, they turn to us before anyone else.

🙏 A Night of Brotherhood and Purpose

As the session ended, fathers shared what they would do differently this week — from checking in on their kids’ friendships to being more patient at home.

The night reaffirmed what BapaHebatSG stands for —stronger fathers, safer families, and children who grow with confidence and kindness.