@ t h e v e l l e r i n e a l l e y: The Cost of Having a Child in Singapore

Hello Lovelies

I'm back updating the blog again, but somehow I realize each time when I have something to rant about I will definitely come back here to rant about it. Well, right now I do have thing to rant about because I really have enough of these people that thinks that raising a Child in Singapore is easy when they are not a parent or they are already one yet does not take up the responsibility to be a good one.

Let me share with you the articles:

(Source from: here)

During Pregnancy

You need the money to go for check up and a package of 10 consultations from the 16th week onward costs approximately $387 at a public hospital like the Singapore General Hospital. Costs are usually doubled at private clinics. These figures exclude prenatal tests, which cost between $75 and $172 each.

Hospitalization during Delivery

Mothers who have a normal delivery generally stay for two days, while those who have Cesarean section usually stay for five days. Additional such as epidural, come at an extra cost. A normal delivery at KKH, in the lowest ward category, will set you back at least $984. The same stay at Mount Alvernia Hospital will cost from $1,370 while that at Gleneagles Hospital is $1,698. Under the Medisave Maternity Package, you can claim $450 for each day spent in the hospital, plus an additional $450 and surgical withdrawal limit depending on the type of delivery procedure you undergo.

AFTER DELIVERY

Confinement

For most Asian mothers, the first month after delivery is spent in confinement. During this time, a host of rules and traditions are followed to ensure that the mother’s body recovers fully from childbirth. It is common to engage a confinement nanny to help during this time. Costs for confinement nannies vary according to their experience and popularity, as well as the time period that she is required for. During the lunar new year, for instance, prices are increased one and a half times. Generally, during other months, the costs range between $2,000 and $3,000.

Medical Care for Baby

In the meantime, the new baby has to be cared for. In Singapore, there are 10 compulsory vaccinations that children need to take. All recommended immunizations under the National Childhood Immunization Programme (NCIP) (except Hepatitis B and Pneumococcal) are free of charge at all polyclinics for children who are Singapore citizens.

The rest are offered at polyclinics at a more affordable rate than at a private pediatrician. Some hospitals and clinics offer vaccination packages. At the Raffles Hospital for example, the vaccination package for a child from birth to six months of age costs $920.20, including GST.

* All costs are accurate as of 2 November 2012 for the above.

Cost Comparisons

Estimated Base Costs: $276,400

Average Estimated Costs by Parents: $400,000 – $450,000

Surveyed families mostly had combined incomes of about $8,000 to $10,000 a month.

If there seems to be a huge gap between our base costs and the parents’ estimates, it’s because:

We take the average amounts for certain expenditures (e.g. We assume tuition will be around $420 and not the occasional highs of $1,000+, as was the case in some families)

We haven’t factored in major medical costs, such as surgery, which was faced by some families

We’re leaving out little details like insurance, lost opportunities from work, etc.

(The above source are from: here)

Have you ever thought about how much do you really need to raise a Child in Singapore? I did because I have to make sure that I am able to raise my two Child in Singapore. It's not a easy task, I know it's not going to be easy either but that doesn't give me a reason why I should give up on them or why I should regret giving birth to them. These thoughts has never crossed my mind no matter how tired I am because I love them and they're my precious one.

I thought that being a parent is easy when I wasn't one myself. I thought that all i have to do was to give birth to them, feed them, work and give them money, and etc, as simple as you could thought that it was to be but apparently it's not how it supposed to be until I become a Mom. Everything has change. My thoughts, my life has change and I am amazed at how big the changes are.

I don't earn much but at least still could at least let the three of us survived. Thus, I do not have a choice but to seek help which is to get maintenance fees from my ex-Husband. From $800 for two Child, it was bargain to $700. I wasn't heartless even thou he was to me previously, after all we were ONCE husband and wife. But I've never thought that he would come bargaining with me again, despite that we've already come to the agreement. Why on Earth did someone even exist? I really don't understand.

$700, do you think that it's enough for two Child? To be honest, it's not at all. Let's say, one month, we've 30 days - let me give you a scenario; Two Child is $700, which is equivalent that 1 Child has only $350/mth and that means she only has $4,200 for a year. Now tell me, what can she do with $4,200/yr? Yes, she can for now. In the future?

In another few months time, she'll studying and in a another years time, she'll proceed to higher education. She need her uniforms, school fees, traveling fees, pocket money for foods & drinks, and etc. Do you think that all these thing, their values/price would never increase or do you think that they'll decrease/drop? Dream on.

If you have the money to buy branded, diamond and traveling or spending unnecessary money. Why not just save it and give them to your daughter? Now you want to bargain with me to cut off a hundred because you wanted to study? Please get a part time job than. I want to study also, but that doesn't give me an excuse to not feed my Child, that doesn't mean that I've to cut down on what I've spend on them? I'm not that kind of Mom.

You can by all means to appeal if you want to, I have nothing against it because all it proves was that you're a irresponsible and self-centered person.