Does anyone else feel like having kids these days is a luxury that only high SES folks can afford?
Context: My husband (32M) and I (31F) really love children and can handle the child-rearing really well based on work as well as babysitting relatives (cousins/nieces/nephews).
But we just feel like we can’t afford having one because of the high standard of living. Also, our combined income is only $7k after CPF.
We’re also just renting now because of a certain situation which I won’t delve into. Even if manage to BTO, we’ll only probably be able to get keys earliest like 5years from now or can even be 10years from now if there are delays and this is assuming we can even get lucky with the ballot.
That’s why we can’t help but envy those who are younger than us and can just have kids without having to worry about their finances.
So I just wanted to know if we’re the only ones feeling this way because I know a lot of people our age and younger choose not to have children.
But for us, we want them so badly, it’s just that we feel like we are too poor to give them a comfortable living.
Netizens’ comments
My neighbour, he is a delivery driver. Wife not working. They have 4 kids. All going to school.
Total household income does not even reach 4k including his overtime. They seem to be a very happy family and on weekends they go for bbq at the seaside. Sometimes we go together as families.
He told me, life isnt about the money. Its about being happy with your family. Your health relies on your happiness. His kids study well, bring in good grades, one is preparing for his psle and not going to tuition but expecting to get a good sec school with express. He is happy about it.
They have 3 meals a day at home and when they go for holidays, its usually a family trip to Malaysia where they have good moments. Visited their house during hari raya and he showed me a lot of photos. Hes only 35 years old. Good feat for my abang!
His advise to me: if you want to make a family, dont think about the money. Theres always a blessing.