If you have 3 kids....

[maisy]

Option no. 3 for me


I think especially when there are 3 kids, i'm of the mindset that working part-time is great as it allows you time to bond with the children & the sacrifice is definitely worth-it since it is sacrificing for 3 kids...plus u r still working anyway.. ....

Never mind the \"yearly renewal\" , we live 1 year at a time...we can't be planning 5 years ahead these days since many things aren't within our control...eg economic cycles these days are erratic ... how to plan so many years ahead....so , it is ok to cross each year as it comes....if after 1 year, there's no part-time... then u can consider converting to full-time...or if financial permits, u may even consider taking a short break then too... to coach your kids in their work & bond w them....

Bonding is very important when they are young cos very soon , they will become teenagers & they won't need you anymore & that's when u can decide to work full-time for the rest of your life (sounds sad hor...hahaha) ...

Don't worry abt them being led astray in teenage years....if the guidance & bonding is right, they \"will know how to exercise self-discipline & self-control\" cos they will know whatever wrong they do , they will hurt mummy & daddy..hence they will be very sensible kids once the foundation is strongly laid I'm also of the belief that how a teenager/ adult turns out, is the result of how the child was being brought up in his/her earlier (juvenile) years.... afterall, its all about \"xiu(1) yang(3)\" & \"zai(1) pei(2)\" ...

Don't worry about them being w maid alone too...cos u r talking about Pri 2 & Pri 1 kids ... kids at that age will know how to tell u \"mummy, today auntie beat me...etc etc\" hehehe

Hope i am of help

[i3mum]

Hi maisy,


Thank you for your reply I also would love to choose option 3 as I will get a \"balance\" between work ( won't lose touch with the world-colleagues & at the same time, I get some remuneration) and I also have enough time to spend with my kids.

What I worried is about the 1 year renewal thing, we might not be financially stable with just 1 income if I don;t get to be renewed. Hehe yes I think you are right. Bonding is very important, which I really hope to bond with my kids. Currently my kids are taken care by my in laws which I think there are many issues, causing alot of unhappinesses between me & my hubby.

Maybe by the time my kids goes to sec skool, like what you said, they don't need me anymore hehehe then I can concentrate to go back to work.

Thanks for your advice, do you have 3 kids too? And you are taking care on your own?

maisy:

Option no. 3 for me

I think especially when there are 3 kids, i'm of the mindset that working part-time is great as it allows you time to bond with the children & the sacrifice is definitely worth-it since it is sacrificing for 3 kids...plus u r still working anyway.. ....

Never mind the \"yearly renewal\" , we live 1 year at a time...we can't be planning 5 years ahead these days since many things aren't within our control...eg economic cycles these days are erratic ... how to plan so many years ahead....so , it is ok to cross each year as it comes....if after 1 year, there's no part-time... then u can consider converting to full-time...or if financial permits, u may even consider taking a short break then too... to coach your kids in their work & bond w them....

Bonding is very important when they are young cos very soon , they will become teenagers & they won't need you anymore & that's when u can decide to work full-time for the rest of your life (sounds sad hor...hahaha) ...

Don't worry abt them being led astray in teenage years....if the guidance & bonding is right, they \"will know how to exercise self-discipline & self-control\" cos they will know whatever wrong they do , they will hurt mummy & daddy..hence they will be very sensible kids once the foundation is strongly laid I'm also of the belief that how a teenager/ adult turns out, is the result of how the child was being brought up in his/her earlier (juvenile) years.... afterall, its all about \"xiu(1) yang(3)\" & \"zai(1) pei(2)\" ...

Don't worry about them being w maid alone too...cos u r talking about Pri 2 & Pri 1 kids ... kids at that age will know how to tell u \"mummy, today auntie beat me...etc etc\" hehehe

Hope i am of help

[maisy]

Hi

I've 2 young kids....hehehe...they are not even Pri 1 yet .. long way to go hahaha ...

Yes i look after them myself with the help of a maid....the maid does the chores, so i \"free myself\" up for some serious bonding which includes many \"play-based activities\" such as swimming (actually it is more of \"soaking in water\" since they can't swim hahaha), painting , bringing them to the beach for sandplay...and occasionally, bringing them to shopping centres for their \"healthy dose of kiddy rides\" sometimes i bring them to friend's house to play w their kids

And no, i don't do the above daily....(i will die of exhaustion if so...hahaha) I do it weekly. Most time i just stay home, sing & dance w them, make them \"imitate\" me, watch cartoons w them..etc etc.

Hope you will reach a decision soon

[titank]

i3mum:

Hi all,


Just wondering, if you have 3 kids(age apart by 1 year) (going to be P1 & P2), would you :

1) Put them in afterschool care centre
Factors to consider:
a.Cost about $1000+ a month for 3 kids
b.No maid, and need to go back home to cook dinner & do housework
c. But the kids can attend the school enrichment classes on their own as it is convenient (studentcare next to school)


2) Hire a maid to be at home to take care of them after their school hourse
Factors to consider:
a.There will not be any other adults, except the maid
b. The maid does not know how to coach the kids in their studies
c. But the maid will be able to cook & do housework

3) Work partime to take care of them, but the part time job is subject to renewable (per year)
Factors:
a.There is a risk that I might lose my job/ appraisal affected
b. I can pick & spend more time with my kids
c. Able to send my kids for enrichment classes after school hours

Anyone has any advice? Can help me? Greatly appreciate that!

Ha..ha I would choose Option 1 where save the hussble of ferrying them to various enrichment class. Maybe you can get part time maid do housework once a week. Order Tin Cart for dinner. The kids maybe have to do a bit of self cooking.

Again it would still depends on individual committment. Now in Singapore, it requires dual income to support a family.

[i3mum]

Hi titank,



Thanks for your reply! I have ordered tin cart before a few years ago, but the food isnt that nice, and I think those takeaways taste better. Do you know of any nice tin cart? By then, my kids will be only 7 yo and twins 6yo, think still too young to cook.

Yes I also agree, it depends on each individual family & committment.

titank:

Ha..ha I would choose Option 1 where save the hussble of ferrying them to various enrichment class. Maybe you can get part time maid do housework once a week. Order Tin Cart for dinner. The kids maybe have to do a bit of self cooking.

Again it would still depends on individual committment. Now in Singapore, it requires dual income to support a family.[/quote]

[heyhoe]

Hi,


Your situation is indeed tough and I forsee that when my 3 kids go to primary school in a few years time.

As for now, my eldest goes to student care while the other 2 in childcare. Financially, it is indeed tight but it’s the best option for us cause we are not comfortable with maid nor we have the option to have just 1 person working.

I’m also wondering how long does a kid willing to stay at the student care/BASC. My P2 boy has been asking to let him stay at home since last year. Sigh!

[penglee]

hi i3mum,


my wifey now on Option3, if not feasible over long term, then Option 1.
We also dread having a maid (too many horror stories)

Currently, DS1 in Pri1.
We are very lucky my Mum is helping, prepare dinner, and pickup DS1.

All others in same pre-school.
We still send our kids to enrichment classes on Sat and Sun
:celebrate: