A Heartfelt List of Apologies for Childhood Mischief and Regrets
Singaporeans have a unique way of expressing their heartfelt apologies, especially to the most important person in their lives—their mothers. From small mischiefs to bigger regrets, many have shared the things they wish they had done differently growing up.
Jennifer remembers how, back in primary school, her mother would constantly remind her to drink water. Being the clever child she was, Jennifer would often dump the water in a nearby bin before getting on the school bus, hoping to avoid detection. Unfortunately, her mother’s keen observations and spot checks didn’t go unnoticed. Jennifer now apologizes for her sneaky ways.
Benjamin still feels guilty for forgetting to write units in his Primary 3 Continual Assessment. His mother, despite all the mistakes and the red circles on his paper, remained kind and patient with him. Benjamin apologizes for letting her down in that moment.
Evelyn recalls how most of her art assignments in primary school were completed by her mother. Procrastination led her to ask for help at the last minute, often with little time left before submission. Evelyn’s mother would always come to the rescue, helping her finish her projects late into the night. Evelyn now admits she should have planned better and apologizes for the constant last-minute requests.
Adriel humorously apologizes for being a ‘kicker’ in the womb. He recalls how his mother would wake up to his kicks in the middle of the night, even before he was born. Adriel jokes that he’s still ‘kicking’ today, asking for forgiveness for his early disruptions.
Hykel confesses to going behind his mother’s back to get a Ben 10 toy from his father, even though his mother had already said no. Hykel remembers his six-year-old self lacking a moral compass and trying to get what he wanted at any cost. He still keeps the toy as a reminder of his youthful mischief.
Ben apologizes for disrupting his mother’s work meeting after an unfortunate accident during recess. He had soiled himself but forgot to mention that he had an extra pair of shorts in his bag. His mother rushed down to the school, only to find that the spare clothes were already in his bag. Ben now laughs at the embarrassing situation but still remembers the look of disbelief on his mother’s face.
Eunice sincerely apologizes for lying about staying over at a friend’s house, when in reality, she was on a staycation with her boyfriend. Despite the lie, Eunice thanks her mother for teaching her important life lessons, including those about safe sex.
Kevin admits to ignoring his mother’s Facebook friend request, leaving it sitting there as a constant reminder that he’s a “bad son.” He apologizes for not adding her back, explaining that his posts would be an even bigger issue if he ever did.
Lastly, someone deeply apologizes for getting a tattoo without telling their mother first. They vividly recall the moment when she saw the tattoo of their name on their chest, a decision made impulsively without her knowledge. While they apologize for the shock, they humorously acknowledge that at least they will never forget their name.
These apologies reflect a blend of regret, humor, and love for the mothers who shaped their lives. Though these actions may have been a part of growing up, these Singaporeans now reflect on their past with sincerity and a desire to make amends.
