The realities of raising 5 kids in Singapore | Commentary

During the National Day Rally 2024 speech, a slew of announcements were aimed at making Singapore more family-friendly. One of the support measures will be for families with three or more young children. Freelance writer and mother-of-five Kelly Ang tells CNA about the realities of raising a large family in Singapore.

0:00 Introduction
0:33 What motivated you to have a large family?
1:16 What are some of the bigger misconceptions people have about large families?
1:55 What should couples consider when deciding on parenthood?

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[krollpeter]

The issue in Singapore is often not really the money, as what many think.
The issue is that Singapore is not that friendly for families, such as:
- What are you doing with 3 kids when you need to buy groceries, and the car that fits your family costs 200K? Take the bus?
- What do you do if you have boys and girls with the rooms in the HDB when they get older?
- How do you manage all the tuition for several kids?
- What do you do if you get sick? Load 5 kids off to the grandparents?
Etc. etc.

[MissyAber]

From your looks of your home which looks like a landed property, seems that either you or your husband comes from a very strong financially family background, in other words rich, good life. Maybe to you, perhaps having a BMW X series poses no issue at all. Hence your perspective is one sided, and your views do not represent the overall general parent.If you are speaking from the perspectives of a normal salaried employee who is at risk of being retrenched and readily replaced by a foreigner to take over, it will make more sense

[zenyricardo]

Does CNA think their viewers are stupid? Fair play to her family for living well in a private home but their family profile doesnt represent the majority of singaporeans. They obviously have no problems with financial planning for a large family, so why cover them when the video is speaking about costs of raising a large family? Even if 5 kids are rare, im sure coverage of a regular family with 2 working adults with 3 kids or even 4 kids will be a better reflection of what most singaporeans go through.

The coverage here seems very tone deaf towards the majority of locals.

And also, freelance writer? Come on, housewife just say housewife. Nothing wrong with being a housewife if your husband makes alot of money.

[nicklee]

You didn't mention what is your household total income and what are the hobbies of both you and your spouse?

[PL-ltwz]

There are many rich people who don't want any children, so it's a noble effort for this family to raise 5.

[ConanNg-rk]

Should instead be interviewing true traditional Chinese / Malay / Indian HDB big families who insist to not stop at two. Let them explain their values, reasons, challenges and resolutions to be much more convincing! More realistically down onto earth and practical!

[jackolee]

Look at her house and you will know how wealthy she is to be able to afford 5.
She wants 10 also no problem.

[jennieloh]

In my opinion, whether 2 or 5 kids … as parents, I feel is very important to spend quality time with individual child first. Understand their needs and wants. No point having so many kids and it turns out one or two wayward. Raising a child takes a whole village.

[UnwrappingByMimiKoteng]

Growing up I don't have a piano at home.

[JohnnyJohnJon]

She looks really good after having 5 kids

[thomash]

Why feature rich families…? They confirm no problem in rising many kids..at the same time still can buy a BMW or Mercedes.. Go feature low income or average families…!! Why CNA dare not.. ? 🤨🤨😠😠

[wsmithe]

God bless you and your family. You're a good mother with 5 wonderful kids.

[georgethomas]

Two people can live as well as one. The last time I heard that was some 50 years ago.
Now it's all about money.
Children are a blessing. Live within your means and share what you have.
Let go when they want to fly the coop.
Your reward is their childhood presence. Expect nothing more.
Remember you're having and raising children, not engaged in animal husbandry.

[mrartdeco]

Funny how in Singapore that kind of housing considered rich while in other countries that looks barely middle class 🤣

I’m always stressed out when I see property prices in Singapore

[khw]

Ofc singapore is family friendly
if you got money

[ocean]

What is the estimated cost of raising a child from birth through university graduation? I have heard the minimum cost is $800K - $1mil for 1 child. That is $5 million over 25 years for a freelance write and a full-time mother. Something's disconnected from reality here...

[durian]

Most young Singaporean couples regardless of their wealth prefer small family compare to their forefathers. Small family is trending across Asian and European cities.

[Buttercookiesssss]

No matter what we only have 24 hours.... Therefore free time has to be divided by 2 or 5. So it's inevitable that time has to be shared with each child

[steventay]

If I am rich I also like to have more children

[lynnkueh]

To each their own. Not everyone shares this view.