The New Deal.

[tom]

Parents in Singapore are all spending so much money on their kids, hoping to produce good Singapore
Citizens and also tomorrow's leaders. So kids are also states responsibility.  Recent estimates come up to more than 300,000 Sing Dollars to educate a kid up to universty level. Solid 25 years.

During the National Day Rally speech, our PM listed the following benefits which are of very little help. In fact most parents are hoping that the Government will finance our childcare expenses for the first few years.

This is the deal.

1. Maternity leave............ONE MONTH EXTRA.
2. Infant care leave..........ONE WEEK UNPAID LEAVE PER YEAR.
3. Child care leave............SIX DAYS PER YEAR FOR KIDS UP TO SEVEN YEARS OF AGE.
4. Baby bonus..................BIGGER CASH FOR NEW MUMS ? how much ?

Are the above really good news after waiting a year for the announcement ?

[BlackStallion]

These are 'bonuses' the govt gives to parents who really 'WANT' to have kids. Do not take this as a reason to have babies.

[cheah]

These "benefits" are very short term.

Raising a child involve Health Care (giving birth already not cheap not to mention having to see a paediatrician), Early Childhood care/Education (even neighbourhoold childcare cost so much now and so many school going independent) and Job Security (boss cannot accept parent constantly taking leave - out of sight = out of job).

[Ling2]

Just my personal view...

Actually, they overlooked housewives

To increase babies...shld target on housewives...since they already decided to quit job to go full time mothers, i believe some of these mothers might consider having more babies if our government can look into giving incentives to them. 4 month leaves no use to them

Furthermore, encouraging child birth and encouraging mothers to go back to work....quantity but no quality.....parents no time to spend with the children, rising problems in children and teenagers....