Reflections on the Singaporean Couple Who Discovered Their Domestic Helper Slapping Their 2-Month-Old at Night

It's finally evening, and I’m home from work, kicking off my shoes and tossing my Alpaca bag over a chair. The house hums with the soft sounds of the evening, but what grabs my attention amid the fatigue of the day is the face of our newborn. My 2-month-old son is stirring, ready for his evening bath—a ritual that’s become my sanctuary after a long day.

Bath time is precious; his wide, curious eyes lock onto mine as I wash and rinse him. After drying him off, I dress him in his snug pyjamas and get his bottle ready. We settle into the rocking chair in the master bedroom. As he feeds, his little fingers curl around mine, grounding me in this sacred moment. I swaddle him and place him in his crib, watching his eyes flutter shut. When I’m all set for the night, I slip into the single bed next to him. This room, connected to the master bedroom where my wife sleeps with our toddler, allows us to be close to our children, ensuring they feel our presence and love.

Nighttime is a quiet, intimate world. Half-asleep but still alert, I wake with the slightest stir from the crib. When he wakes, I wake. It’s a well-rehearsed routine now: prepare his milk, feed him, change his diaper if needed, burp him, and rock him back to sleep. This dance repeats a few times each night—a cycle of care and love that I treasure, despite the exhaustion. Sleep deprivation has become a constant companion. The nights blur into one another, each one marked by a series of wakeful moments that leave me feeling like a ghost of myself during the day. My eyes are perpetually heavy, and my mind feels like it's wading through thick fog. Yet, amid this weariness, there's an undeniable joy in these quiet moments with my son. His small hands, his gentle breathing, and even his midnight cries—perplexing as they can be—are reminders of the love and responsibility that define my role as a father.

Lately, he’s started initiating little chats during the 4 AM feed. I respond in hushed tones, enjoying these tender moments, even as my eyes struggle to stay open. It’s our secret conversation, a father-son connection that speaks volumes beyond words.

A recent article on Mothership.sg titled “Couple Installed CCTV to Monitor Helper and Baby, What They Found Was Chilling” sent shivers down my spine. The grainy CCTV footage reveals a haunting reality: a domestic helper, overwhelmed and detached, handling a crying infant in a way that borders on neglect. As a father who takes on the night feeds for our 2-month-old, the images struck a deep chord of fear and responsibility. I understood the silent fears that many parents face when leaving their children in the care of others. Even with a reliable helper, the thought of not being there for my child when he needs me most is a recurring nightmare. This incident has made me rethink the delicate balance between work and family and the measures we take to ensure our children’s safety and well-being.

This incident is a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and proactive parenting. Trusting our helpers is necessary, but it’s crucial to maintain a balance of oversight and involvement. The safety of our children should never be compromised. Technology like CCTV can be both a deterrent and a safety net. However, we also need to support our helpers, ensuring they’re equipped to handle the stresses of childcare without reaching a breaking point.

Regardless, this recent news is a call to action for parents to re-evaluate how we share responsibilities and the safeguards we put in place in our homes. More than just monitoring, it’s about creating a supportive environment where both our children and helpers can thrive. The chilling footage serves as a wake-up call—a reminder that our children’s well-being is paramount and that, as parents, we must remain vigilant, involved, and compassionate. As I hold my newborn in the quiet of the night, I’m reminded of the profound responsibility that comes with parenthood and the lengths we must go to protect and nurture the ones we love. No one said the job was easy.

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