My second child arrived just last week. The delivery went smoothly, and everything felt calm and in control. But as I stood there cutting the umbilical cord and then held him in my arms for the very first time, a wave of emotions hit me—unexpectedly different from what I felt when my first child was born.
Back then, I didn’t have many financial concerns. I was with a good company that provided excellent benefits, even covering the full cost of childbirth at a private hospital. I paid nothing out of pocket. Our income comfortably supported our lifestyle, especially since we didn’t have a helper then.
Now, it feels like an entirely different ball game. Two children and a helper later, our fixed monthly expenses have increased significantly:
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Elder son’s playgroup: $350
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Infant care for our second child (starting July 2025): $850
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Helper: $500
That’s a total of $1,700 per month—just in base commitments. This doesn’t even account for essentials like milk powder, food, and other daily needs. While some of these costs will eventually reduce as the children grow, for now, it’s undeniably a big number.
But let me be clear—I’m not complaining. These were choices we made consciously, and they are choices I’ll never regret. Having children is a blessing, and I’m grateful every single day.
Still, something has been weighing on my mind. I’ve been cruising in my career over the past four years—doing a relatively easy, well-paying job. But because I’ve stayed in my comfort zone, my salary hasn’t really grown. I haven’t made a significant leap, and I know that unless I move or step up, increments will remain small.
Maybe it’s time for a change. Maybe this moment—this feeling of responsibility, pressure, and potential—is the push I need to relook at where I’m going and what I want for my family.
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