Taking an early leap into fatherhood

The Star

11 hours ago

PETALING JAYA: At a time when it's common to delay marriage and kids, some men have gone against the grain, choosing to start their family early as they view fatherhood as a blessing in life.
Welcoming his baby daughter at 24, Mu'aadz Emran said it was always in his plans to graduate, then marry and start his own family at a young age.
'Some believe they will wait until they are ready or more financially stable to have kids, but at what point do we decide that we are ready enough?
'For me, if we have a suitable and supportive partner, I believe one should just go along the parenting journey and face challenges that come along the way together,' said the sales executive, now aged 26.
Mu'aadz and his wife Adilah Abdul Azmil with their two-year-old daughter Yusra
As with other parents, Mu'aadz sometimes faces challenges in juggling his duties at home and work.
'For now, I'm the sole breadwinner so we have to adjust our lifestyle according to our means.
'But there are ways to make it work,' he said.
Mu'aadz is part of the growing number of young fathers in Malaysia over recent years.
Data from the Department of Statistics Malaysia has shown that there has been an 8% spike in newborn babies with fathers aged 24 and below - from 25,707 in 2021 to 27,798 in 2023.
Marketing executive Yusuf Zamani also had similar plans to start a family early, embracing fatherhood at 25 when his wife delivered a baby boy.
Yusuf and his wife Nurul Shahizan Rudzuanazmi and their children Ya'qub, three, and five-month-old Yusra
'Building a family, to me, is a big thing in life, just like pursuing a dream career.
'My family is my main motivator to keep achieving more success.
'Of course, I struggle sometimes trying to cope with work, family life and my volunteering activities at an NGO.
'I can still do everything, but we have to give and take. That's just life,' said the marketing executive, now 28 and a father of two.
Father of three girls, Chong Hua Chean was 26 when his eldest daughter was born.
Now at 37, he believes that being a dad has shifted his priorities towards family life, giving him a more grounded mindset.
'I feel grateful to be a young father, as it gives me the opportunity to spend more quality time with my children and to be present for more of life's journey with each of my daughters,' said Chong, a manager at a multinational company.
Chong and his wife Christine Tan (second from right), with their daughters (from left) Qaai Naa, seven, Qaai Niing, four and Qaai Nee, 12
One of the most heartwarming moments Chong treasures was when his daughter prepared a Father's Day card and gift for him.
'To all new and young fathers: there's no such thing as a perfect parent.
'Don't be too hard on yourself or your children.
'Embrace the journey, cherish the moments, and value the time spent with your loved ones,' he added.
Father-to-be, Muhammad Faris Idris, 29, believes that becoming a dad is one of the most meaningful experiences in life.
'I'm excited and grateful to take on this role and grow into it with love and responsibility,' said the bank senior executive analyst, who will be expecting his first child this year.
Getting hitched at the age of 24, he and his wife have been trying to start a family for several years before finally being blessed with a child.
Ahead of his baby's arrival, Muhammad Faris said he has been preparing himself by buying all necessary items, attending parenting classes, reading and learning about fatherhood.
'I'm also managing my finances wisely, making sure we have the right medical coverage and savings in case of emergencies,' he said.
Father of two, Siemens Yee said he has been 'catching his breath' ever since he became a dad at 28.
'I've got two boys — full of energy and questions,' said the finance controller, now 34, whose sons are six and four.
Yee said he planned to retire early and give his children the best of his time and energy while he was still relatively young.
'Being around as they grow up — fully present — means everything to me,' he added.
Yee and his wife Xindi Yong with their two boys, Wyatt, six (second from left) and Elliot, four (right).
It wasn't always easy, but Yee said he was blessed to have a loving and supportive wife, and was grateful for the incredible help from their extended family.
He said the best part about starting a family early is the bond his children are building with their grandparents.
'There's something magical about seeing your kids laugh with your parents,' he said.
Another soon-to-be father, who wishes to be known only as Affzan, 29, said he and his wife were very excited about their journey ahead with their baby expected to be born this year.
"Currently, we are trying our best to grow our finances as much as possible,' said the occupation project analyst.
As he waits to become a dad, Affzan said he was preparing himself spiritually, mentally and physically.
'I need to set a good example and be the best role model for our child,' he said.
For this Father's Day, he said the plan was to pamper his wife instead.
'Without her, I wouldn't be a husband nor a father-to-be, so I will be cooking a nice dinner at home to show what a good father I can become,' Affzan said.
A father of two who wishes to be known only as Ben, 32 said parenting isn't about providing for the kids financially, but about being present and guiding them through life.
'These things can only happen when you invest a lot of time together, and starting young gives me that opportunity,' said the product manager, who became a dad at 26.
He shared that as a father, there was a fear of messing up.
'Being a young dad while still figuring out my own adulthood isn't easy,' he said.
Since children learn more by watching their parents' actions, Ben said he tries to be honest, humble, and willing to grow.
'I want to show them it's okay to make mistakes, as long as we keep moving further upwards and onwards,' he said, adding that his wife also played a crucial role as the anchor in their family.