Father’s Day is just around the corner. While we’re all tempted to reach for the same old “#1 Dad” mug or steakhouse reservation, maybe this is the year to pause and ask a deeper question: What does it really mean to be a dad in 2025?
For Jeremy Chua, 35, a father of four, it means more than bringing home the bacon. It means showing up in the delivery room, attending parenting workshops, learning about latch techniques, and yes—even logging diaper changes.
Full-time, Jeremy leads a team of financial consultants. On the side, he co-facilitates prenatal classes at 13Thirteen alongside his wife, Rynette, also 35.
Together, they’re not just raising kids. They’re raising the bar for what modern parenting looks like in Singapore.
From Young Parents to Parenting Educators
Their story didn’t start in a delivery room, it started as a teenage dream. Jeremy had a vision at 15: four kids, a loving wife, a loud but happy home. Wild? Maybe. But also… kind of adorable. Married at 22, parents by 24, they knew early on that family would be central to their lives.
View this post on Instagram
“I always imagined having four kids,” Jeremy says. “Thankfully, Rynette shared that dream.”
Now parents to three boys and one daughter, their experience of navigating young parenthood without much guidance inspired them to launch 13Thirteen, a platform dedicated to relatable, hands-on prenatal education that speaks to both mums and dads.
Source: Jeremy Chua
“We were young, you could say clueless, didn’t know what to expect,” Jeremy admits. “But that made us want to learn. And now, we’re here to pass that on.”
Parenting is a Partnership
Source: 13Thirteen
Parenting isn’t a solo act. At 13Thirteen, the couple co-leads workshops where Jeremy shares from his lived experience as a hands-on father.
“It’s not about being perfect,” he says. “It’s about being present.”
In a space traditionally focused on mothers, 13Thirteen invites fathers to participate—not just as spectators, but as equals.
“We run couple-led sessions so parents get both perspectives. Dads need to know they belong in the room, not just outside it.”
Source: 13Thirteen
Their work is backed by real data: The 2024 Focus Singapore Fatherhood Survey revealed that while most fathers (83.8%) are financially involved, only 26.4% feel emotionally connected to their parenting role.
Source: 13Thirteen
Jeremy sees this gap firsthand—and is working to close it.
Yes, Dads Can (and Should) Support Breastfeeding
If you think breastfeeding is just a mum’s job, Jeremy’s here to challenge that.
“Dads need to know how they can support. Whether it’s understanding latch issues, helping with milk expression, or just being emotionally present—every bit counts.”
He shares how issues like clogged milk ducts can snowball into painful problems if not properly addressed, and how MyBBuddy, an app created by Rynette and her team, is helping solve that.
MyBBuddy: The Digital Parenting Tool Every New Parent Needs
Already live on the App Store in Singapore, MyBBuddy is like a digital companion for the early parenting phase. With tools like a contraction timer, feeding tracker, symptom checker, and emotional check-ins, the app is designed to support both mums and dads.
Source: 13Thirteen
“It’s especially helpful for parents who can’t afford constant consultations,” Jeremy explains. “It provides instant, practical advice so problems don’t get worse.”
It includes:
-
Feeding and diaper logs (so dads can take the night shift like champs)
-
Contraction timers (no more panicking in the car)
-
Lactation troubleshooting tools (because Google is not your best friend at 3am)
While Rynette leads development, Jeremy proudly champions its purpose.
“It’s about making support accessible and normalising shared responsibility.”
Life at Home
With four kids, life is anything but quiet.
“It’s a circus—but a joyful one,” Jeremy laughs. “We’ve had moments of doubt. After our third son, I wondered if we could really handle a fourth. But Rynette still hoped for a daughter—and we got her.”
Despite their professional experience, the couple is quick to admit that parenting is still a daily learning curve.
“We’re not superhuman. We struggle too. But we’re in it together.”
Fatherhood is a Daily Role, Not a One-Day Celebration
Jeremy appreciates the sentiment behind Father’s Day, but he’s not waiting for a cake to feel validated.
Source: Instagram/jemchua
“To me, being a dad isn’t about that one day. It’s about what you do every day—waking up, helping out, being there.”
Still, the occasion can be powerful when it sparks visibility and conversation. Last year, Jeremy and Rynette joined a record-setting baby-wearing walk for dads in Singapore.
“It was symbolic. A community of fathers saying, ‘We’re here, and we’re proud to be involved.’”
Why Modern Dads Matter
So what does Jeremy think defines a modern dad?
Source: Jeremy Chua
“A modern dad participates. He doesn’t wait to be told. He learns. He listens. He changes diapers. He supports breastfeeding. He shows up to parent-teacher meetings. He grows with the family.”
That’s the real shift—from provision to partnership. And it’s happening.
“We see it in our workshops. Dads want to be there. They just need the right tools and the right encouragement.”
Jeremy’s Parenting Tips for New and Expecting Dads
If you’re new to parenting—or about to be—here’s Jeremy’s simple but powerful advice:
-
Get involved early: “Don’t wait until baby arrives. Be there from pregnancy.”
-
Ask questions: “There’s no shame in not knowing. Learn with your partner.”
-
Support your spouse emotionally: “Listen. Be patient. This journey is as much hers as it is yours.”
-
Know that presence matters: “Your baby won’t remember what you bought. But they’ll remember how you made them feel.”
The Parenting Future Singapore Deserves
Jeremy is living proof that the modern Singaporean dad isn’t just a provider. He’s a partner. A night-feed warrior. A contraction coach. A man who fell in love with his wife all over again—while supporting her through labour, breastfeeding, and parenting four children.
Because dads like him aren’t just backup, they’re co-pilots. Diaper duty? Handled. Emotional check-ins? Done. Prenatal class co-facilitator? Why not.
So this Father’s Day, let’s retire the same old “#1 Dad” mug or steakhouse reservation. The real gift? Recognizing that the future of parenting isn’t just maternal — it’s mutual.
ALSO READ
10 Ways to Spoil Dads This Father’s Day in Singapore
15 Fun and Easy Father’s Day Cards and Crafts to Make with Your Kid
8 Meaningful Gifts For Dad This Father’s Day
