'The joy is times 9': S'pore couple shares about challenges & joys of raising 9 kids

Luke and Lay Hui, an interventional radiologist and housewife respectively, surprised themselves with the birth of their ninth child. The Singapore couple did not anticipate raising such a large family, as they only added children to their household as they were born. The children's names follow alphabetical order, a decision made in the heat of the moment when Lay Hui could not decide on a name for their fifth child.

Their home is a sight to behold, with the entire family often filling up a church pew when they attend services.

While the family's size is unusual, Lay Hui noted that they have encountered other families with a similar number of children. Managing a household of nine is no easy task, especially when the children are school-aged. Lay Hui juggles the role of chauffeur, picking up younger siblings from school and the MRT station, while Luke manages the day-to-day responsibilities and household chores.

To save on resources, the family reuses books by having children write on rough paper, allowing them to be passed down to younger siblings.

Despite the challenges, the couple finds immense joy in their large family. LifeSG's app helps streamline administrative tasks, such as registering births and accessing ChildSG credits, which proves useful when multiple children enter national service. For Luke, Lay Hui's resilience is the key to their family's success, and the children's unexpected behavior and quirks are seen as blessings.

Lay Hui also observes that the absence of one child leaves their home noticeably quieter. While the family faces ups and downs, Lay Hui emphasizes that the joy is immeasurable, as they witness their children's growth and development. For Lay Hui, the sentiment is clear: "The joy is times nine."