IT started as an informal gathering of five households living in Bedok, where mothers would chat and children of the same age group would play together.
And when housewife Madam Tan Tiem Hong, 36, invited another neighbour - then a complete stranger - to join the group two years ago, she didn't realise that her gesture of friendship would spark the start of a support group for parents in the neighbourhood.
Madam Tan's neighbour, Mrs Elise Ho, 34, a grassroots leader at Kampung Chai Chee constituency, was inspired to start a club, where parents are encouraged to bond with their children through various activities, and where they are able to share their parenting experiences and difficulties.
Said Mrs Ho, who has two daughters aged 4 and 1: 'When Madam Tan approached me at the playground asking if our children could play together, it suddenly struck me that it would be great if parents in the neighbourhood could get together and exchange parenting tips.
'Like the African proverb says, 'It takes a village to raise a child'.'
The Interactive Parenting Club (IPC) - made up of more than 20 families - was started in January this year and its members met for the first time in March.
Said Madam Tan, who has a daughter, 8, and a son, 5: 'Our little group of neighbours first gathered three years ago so that our children would have playmates.
'Now, with this club, not only will our children have more playmates, parents too can count on each other in times of difficulty.'
Mrs Ho is one of 84 Family Life Champions (FLC) appointed in 2005.
FLCs are grassroots leaders appointed by the citizens consultative committee (CCC) chairman in each constituency. Their task is to promote and celebrate family life in the community.
To promote her club, Mrs Ho designed and printed flyers, and distributed them at the Kampung Chai Chee Community Club.
And although the newly-formed group has met only once so far, its founder has big plans. She hopes to eventually get at least 50 families in the club.
Said Mrs Ho: 'It's early days and for now, we are focusing on various activities that will help parents bond with their children.
'But down the road, we hope for the group to be able to support each other, such as helping each other with emergency childcare arrangements. If families run into any crisis, they can look to the group for help.'
Mrs Ho said there are currently at least three needy families in the club.
'These are financially-strapped families and sometimes the strain of worrying about bread and butter issues can take a toll on family life and parenting.'
In the coming months, Mrs Ho plans to organise activities such as parent-child workshops, family games and grooming workshops for housewives.
Another champion of family life, Mr Raymond Wee, has been trying to play matchmaker for the past two years.
The 49-year-old Kampung Ubi-Kembangan FLC has since 2006 been organising activities for singles in his estate.
Mr Wee had previously teamed up with the Social Development Service (SDS) to get singles living in the Kembangan and Ubi area to take part in activities such as karaoke, movie marathons, ball games, and speed-dating.
There are currently about 30 singles in the group.
He said: 'Our estate is mature and many of the children have grown up and are now in their 20s and 30s, and still single.
'So why not give them that little nudge to help them get together?'
But Mr Wee, who is also a licensed wedding solemniser, said he has not yet seen any singles in the group get married.
'We provide them with the platform to get to know each other better. What happens next, we do not interfere.
'So perhaps there have been couples who have got together but they don't tell us.'
A member of the group Mr Colin Koh, 36, a hotel acquisition consultant, has taken part in karaoke sessions and movie marathons since last year.
Said Mr Koh, who is still single: 'I'm overseas every month for work, and it's difficult to make new friends. So this is a fun way to network.'
Mr Koh is also part of an interest group started by Mr Wee last year, where both young and old meet every week to play a racket game.
Said Mr Wee: 'We use rackets similar to those used in tennis, but smaller, and balls made of sponge, but are able to bounce, and play in badminton courts.
'It's fun for everyone, and helps people to bond. For the singles in the group, perhaps something special can blossom after a ball game.'
This article was first published in The New Paper on Apr 28, 2008.
