Chee Siah Empowers Parents to Nurture The Next Generation to Be Their Best Selves
What’s your story?
I was already a practicing family counselor working with parents before I had kids. So, armed with lots of knowledge and the “know-how” of parenting techniques, I was confident that I had this parenting thing down when my children arrived.
However, my kids taught me very quickly that raising them is not about “doing parenting.” With all that I knew, I still ended up with screaming, yelling, threatening, punishing, and endless power struggles.
I soon realized that “being a parent” is about being fully present, showing up, and building meaningful connections with my children so that they feel safe, seen, and heard. And when I pivoted to that mindset, it changed everything.
Fast forward to today: Recently, in preparation for a parenting seminar, “How to get your kids to listen without yelling,” I thought I would ask my children, individually, “When was the last time I scolded or yelled at you?”
My 3 children, ages 11, 16, and 17, each thought for a long time and said, “I can’t remember.”
I know that if my approach works for me, it will work for other parents too.
My vision for every parent that I work with, is that they won’t remember the last time they had to raise their voice at their kids.
With 24 years of experience as a parent coach, I’ve worked with many private clients, spoken in front of countless groups of parents in parenting conferences, educational institutions, private, and public organizations. I have also been interviewed numerous times on various radio and TV stations, and have been featured in newspapers and magazines.
What excites you most about your industry?
Family is the first school and the basis of society, and parents are powerful role models. How parents relate and connect with children, the words they speak, decisions they make, the actions they take, how they show up in their interaction with children, have a huge impact on how the children will show up for themselves and find their place in the world. I am in the business of building the next generation!
My passion is to be able to empower parents to nurture the next generation to become the best versions of themselves through my signature coaching program, Power of Showing Up, where parenting is about building strong emotional connections, high trust, and effective influence through the parent-child relationship.
What’s your connection to Asia?
I grew up in Malaysia and Singapore, and my family migrated to Canada when I was in my early teens. I hold a Canadian Citizenship and am currently a Permanent Resident in Singapore. My husband is a Singaporean and we chose to raise our 3 children in Singapore.
I am very blessed to have been exposed to two different cultures, the East and the West, and have also experienced two different educational systems. With my personal experience raising my own children in Singapore and having worked with many parents, it gives me great joy to be able to integrate parenting from the perspective of two different worlds, through East Meets West Parenting.
Favorite city in Asia for business and why?
Singapore! It is efficient, has a global reach, and because it is home!
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
“You are enough. I love you because I love you.”
Who inspires you?
My mom. She lost her life partner of 60 years suddenly in 2019. With no prior symptoms of being unwell, dad seemed to be quite healthy. Mom is amazingly strong, and she expresses the strength, peace, and hope that comes from her deep faith. A person’s true character is revealed in times of crisis.
What have you just learned recently that blew you away?
During this global pandemic of Covid-19, as our family processes the news of what has been happening around the world, we have been intentional in noticing the helpers. The helpers who give of their time and resources, in big, small, and quiet ways. Those who risk their lives so that others can be safe, especially those with children at home whom they have to keep away from. To learn of the extent to which they selflessly serve strangers has blown me away.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
I would have listened to the little voice inside and followed my heart earlier. It took courage to face my fear of failure, to do it anyway, and persist!
How do you unwind?
I have been quite intentional in scheduling my priorities and keeping my schedule manageable so that I can be fully present when I am with people, especially family. I have also learned to listen to my body. My go-to activities to unwind include, quiet me-time at the beach, chill time with the kids, watching a movie and eating junk food, coffee and conversation with my husband, enjoying spa services, and getting enough sleep!
Favorite Asian destination for relaxation? Why?
Any nice private resort near a clean, gorgeous, and breezie beach, with great company, good food, a nice spa, and a good book in hand is a perfect destination.
Everyone in business should read this book:
“The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” by Stephen R. Covey.
Shameless plug for your business:
My clients love me because their relationships with their children are transformed!
If you are a parent, and you are struggling to manage your child, or not able to connect with your child, if you are yelling, screaming, threatening, punishing, getting into power struggles…and you are feeling tired, exhausted, and stressed out…perhaps even feeling like you are failing as a parent, get in touch with me. There is hope. Things can get better. You can have a wonderful and loving relationship with your kids.
How can people connect with you?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EastMeetsWestParenting/
Email: [email protected]
WhatsApp: (65)96870737
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To hear how entrepreneurs around the world overcome their challenges, search your favorite podcast platform for ‘CallumConnects’ to hear a 5-minute daily breakdown.
Callum Laing is an entrepreneur and investor based in Singapore. He has previously started, built, and sold half a dozen businesses and is now a Partner at Unity-Group Private Equity and Co-Founder and CEO of MBH Corporation PLC. He is the author of three best-selling books ‘Progressive Partnerships’, ‘Agglomerate’, and ‘Entrepreneurial Investing’.
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Download free copies of his books at www.callumlaing.com
