The Voice House

The Voice House Mother’s Day Pop-Up & Parenting Talk
2026-05-09 10:00 - 19:00 (Asia/Singapore) | HomeTeamNS Khatib, Level 1 Atrium, 2 Yishun Walk, Singapore, 767944, Singapore
Date & Time:
July 23

MONEY FM 89.3 Headquarters

SPH Media Limited, 1000 Toa Payoh North News Centre, Singapore 318994

318994

Singapore

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The Voice House Featured on Money FM 89.3!

We are thrilled to share that The Voice House was recently featured on Money FM 89.3’s Let’s Talk, Singapore!

Why Aren't Our Kids Speaking Up? It Starts at Home.

In the popular We Are Family! segment, founder Iris Ong joined hosts Neil Humphreys and Audrey Siek for a candid conversation about cultural habits, parenting in the age of screen time, and why raising confident, expressive communicators starts right at the dinner table.

If you missed the live radio broadcast, here are the key insights, personal stories, and practical takeaways shared during the show.

1. Respect is About Delivery, Not the Message

Host Audrey Siek kicked off the segment by reflecting on traditional upbringing—specifically the classic phrase many grew up with: “Don’t talk back to me!” This creates a tricky balance for modern parents who want their children to be confident enough to speak up, yet respectful enough to recognize boundaries. Iris explained that what parents often interpret as “disrespect” is rarely the underlying intent, it’s simply poor delivery: “My six-year-old daughter hates vegetables and used to say, ‘Yuck! This is a yucky vegetable, I hate it!’ The message itself that she doesn’t like vegetables is fine. The delivery was what felt disrespectful.” Iris’s Fix: Pull them aside privately: Never correct or reprimand a child in front of others.Coach the delivery: Help them reframe their expression. Teach them to say (or whisper): “Mommy, I’m really not a big fan of this vegetable. Can we try something else?”

2. Why Human Communication Matters More in the Age of AI

Host Neil Humphreys raised a vital question: In a world where AI is rapidly evolving, how do we ensure our children aren’t left behind? Iris shared that her motivation for founding The Voice House stems directly from this shift. As AI automates knowledge-based jobs, human connection, sales, customer service, leadership, and emotional intelligence, will be the primary skills that remain irreplaceable. If children grow up in a culture that encourages them to “be small, don’t rock the boat, and don’t make noise” (paiseh culture), they risk losing the very social confidence they need to thrive alongside AI.

3. "Don't Punish Honesty" & Over-Correction

One of the most resonant quotes from the broadcast was Iris’s golden rule for parents: Don’t punish honesty. In Singapore’s high-pressure environment, parents can fall into a “red ink culture”—constantly erasing, correcting, and judging behavior like a test score. Key Shifts for the Household: Assume best intentions: Don’t assume a child being silly, cheeky, or vocal is trying to be rude.Model vulnerability: Talk about your own day, your bad days, and your workplace struggles at dinner. Kids copy what they see.Extend grace: If a guest spills a glass of water, we say “No worries, let’s clean it up.” When our own child spills it, we often snap “Why are you so careless?!” Giving children the same grace builds emotional resilience.Regulate first, reason later: Help a child return to a calm baseline before attempting to teach a lesson or correct behavior.

4. The Impact of Screen Time on Communication

When asked by a listener whether phones and social media weaken face-to-face confidence, Iris confirmed that screen time directly impacts a child’s attention span and emotional regulation: Constant urgency: Carrying devices creates a sense of “I always have something to do,” making both parents and kids more reactive and easily frustrated.Emotional regulation: Children with heavy screen time often struggle to process out-of-screen situations and express lower attention spans in group settings.The Solution: Set strict screen-free zones, especially at the dinner table, to allow real, face-to-face family conversations to happen naturally.

5. A Moment of Humility: Iris's Personal Wake-Up Call

Even experts have learning moments. Iris shared a deeply personal story about playing with her six-year-old daughter and asking her, “How would you describe Mommy?” Her daughter replied with one word: “Angry.” “My immediate reaction was to defend myself: ‘No, I’m not angry! I’m very nice!’ But at night, we talked again, and she said, ‘When Mommy is angry, I cannot talk to her.’ My heart broke. She was managing my emotions. It made me sit back with humility and look at our interactions on our home CCTV to check my tone.” – Iris Iris emphasized that parents don’t need to be perfect, they just need to be open to hearing their children’s honest perspective without getting defensive.

The One Golden Takeaway for Parents Today

If you implement only one habit from the broadcast starting tonight, Iris recommends this daily anchor: Tell your children they are loved no matter what. Not tied to their grades, performance, or behavior. After an argument, after a tantrum, after a tough day: “I love you no matter what.” When children feel unconditional safety at home, they gain the courage to speak up everywhere else.
