'Why I'd rather raise thoughtful children than obedient ones.' - Audrey Ooi
Parenting has never been easy, but raising children in today's world presents an entirely different set of challenges. From misinformation circulating online to the growing influence of social media, many parents find themselves wondering how to prepare their children for a future that is constantly evolving.
For entrepreneur and influencer Audrey Ooi, the answer isn't about protecting children from every challenge. Instead, it's about equipping them with the right values and life skills to navigate the world confidently.
While many parents speak about their biggest fears, Audrey prefers to focus on what she hopes her children will learn as they grow.
"I wouldn't really say fear, but there are certain things that are very important that they learn. The first thing is empathy. Being able to think beyond their own perspective and put themselves in someone else's shoes is very important to me. If you're asking about fear, it would be that they don't have that," she said.
According to Audrey, empathy allows children to understand others beyond their own experiences, helping them build stronger relationships and become more compassionate individuals.
Beyond empathy, she also believes critical thinking has become an essential skill, particularly in an era where young people are constantly exposed to information from multiple sources.
"There's a lot of fake news, misinformation and negative influences out there. We can't totally shield them from it, but what's most important is for them to be able to make good judgments for themselves, even when they're faced with those influences," she explained.
Rather than trying to filter every piece of content her children consume, Audrey hopes to raise individuals who are capable of questioning what they see, evaluating information carefully and making wise decisions independently.
Her parenting philosophy also extends to the way she approaches household rules.
Having grown up with strict parents and a curfew that lasted until she left to study overseas, Audrey admits those experiences have influenced how she intends to parent her own children.
However, she believes rules should never exist simply because parents have the authority to enforce them.
"I don't believe in having rules just for the sake of having rules. I'd rather my children understand where those rules come from," she shared.
Using curfews as an example, Audrey believes children are more likely to respect boundaries when they understand the reason behind them.
"A curfew should be because you're worried about their safety, which is entirely legitimate. I don't want to set a curfew just for the sake of it. I'd rather have a proper discussion with my children about what's appropriate, what I'm comfortable with, and try to find common ground," she said.
For Audrey, parenting is not about demanding unquestioning obedience, but about creating an environment where children feel comfortable having open conversations, understanding boundaries and learning how to make sound decisions for themselves.
