Bangkok-based Singaporean mum shares eldest son’s military experiences
On Monday (12 Oct), Claudia Seah Ching Li posted a video on Instagram praising the impact of National Service (NS) on her eldest son’s character.
Singaporean mother based in Bangkok
Originally from Singapore, the 45-year-old mother has been based in Bangkok, Thailand for 10 years. She runs a PMU (Permanent Makeup) business with her husband in Bangkok and has two other children.
Her eldest son, Hayden, holds Singaporean citizenship. He was raised in Thailand but now lives in Singapore.
In the video, Ms Seah said Hayden had completed his Basic Military Training (BMT) and would begin work as a police officer.
The reel featured clips of her son onstage at his official graduation ceremony, where he was awarded a certificate by the Singapore Police Force (SPF).
Source: Claudia Seah via Instagram
She was glad that he could finally come home every day instead of staying in camp.
She also commented that after completing his BMT, her son has become more respectful and considerate of others.
As a mum, I feel it was all worth it (to have) the Singaporean government help teach him.
Ms Seah added that since starting his training, Hayden has “experienced more of the real world.”
Her son has also “come to appreciate the warmth of his family” and is staying with his maternal grandparents in Singapore to spend more time with them.
She felt proud of her son, expressing happiness and relief at his graduation.
Source: Claudia Seah via Instagram
Ms Seah also stated that her son is currently thinking of furthering his studies in university following his stint with the SPF.
Son gains new perspective on life after NS
Ms Seah told MS News that she believed that NS has made her son’s mindset much more positive.
She stated that he has “cut down” on complaining generally, as Gen Z kids “do get it easy growing up, with parents doing mostly everything for them.”
She confessed that she was also guilty of indulging her children. However, she was making an effort to bring up her younger children with more discipline.
Speaking on behalf of her eldest son, Ms Seah said that the rigour of NS had given him a newfound respect for authority.
Servicemen are expected to fulfil instructions without “asking (for) the reason”, thus respecting the chain of command.
Hayden has learnt respect for elders and generally people around him because he says the biggest thing he’s learnt from NS is to live without your ego.
Hayden’s experience during BMT also gave him a new appreciation for life outside of NS, as he stated that “his real life is so much better.”
Ms Seah also observed that, whereas he previously left all the household chores to the domestic helper, he now proactively takes on small tasks around the house and “helps out when he can”.
Online reactions echo positive sentiment
In the comments section, many netizens congratulated her son for completing a significant milestone.
Other parents echoed Ms Seah’s belief that NS was instrumental to building character.
One netizen pointed out that being deployed at the police station will allow him to continue strengthening his social skills.
Source: Instagram
Another commenter shared a similar experience, saying that her Singaporean son, who was raised in Thailand and underwent military service, eventually became a more responsible person.
Source: Instagram
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Featured image adapted from Claudia Seah via Instagram.