Commentary: Twins suddenly made us a ‘large family’ - and taught me what gets harder as families grow

Singapore's twin parentage announcement at the National Day Rally aimed to alleviate concerns regarding the financial and logistical challenges of expanding families. Malminderjit Singh, a father of three, highlighted that the most taxing aspect of raising a larger family is the depletion of time and energy. Couples who already have children often contemplate whether they can stretch their resources to accommodate one more.

The new support measures, such as a S$10,000 Baby Gift and annual Child Credits of S$2,000 for children aged 1 to 16, offer increased financial flexibility. Additionally, there is additional support for managing transportation expenses for large families. Predictability in financial assistance from childhood to adolescence provides peace of mind.

However, the most demanding aspect remains the scarcity of time, as parents grapple with attending to multiple children's needs simultaneously. The upcoming childcare leave scheme offers some respite, allowing parents to devote more attention to their children's education and well-being. Despite the challenges, parents acknowledge that the rewards of raising a larger family far outweigh the costs, and many are encouraged to consider expanding their families now.