"Like A Blockbuster" – Mums React To Budget 2025

Like many adults in Singapore, I was eagerly anticipating the Budget 2025 announcement on Tuesday afternoon. With three young kids under my roof, the cost of living has become astronomical – even a family meal at the hawker centre costs about an arm sometimes. Suffice to say, I was praying hard for more CDC vouchers and other forms of support.

We didn't have to wait long. Minutes into PM Lawrence Wong's speech, the husband and I were whopping away as he announced the disbursement of an additional $800 worth of vouchers, along with LifeSG credits for each child aged 12 and below.

The Budget announcement was paced like a blockbuster, with highlights (read: money being dished out) happening every few moments. The climax, and most impactful part of Budget 2025, for us as parents of three was the new Large Families Scheme.

Under the new scheme, for each third and subsequent Singaporean child born, there will be $5,000 more in his or her Child Development Account First Step Grant, a $5,000 Large Family MediSave Grant, and $1,000 worth of LifeSG credits in the years the child turns one to six years old. The first two benefits apply only to babies born on or after Feb 18, 2025.

Budget 2025 was no doubt a generous one. But are these measures enough to defray the long-term cost of living for families with three or more kids? We spoke with eight mums who shared their frank opinions.

More childcare leave please

"I was pleasantly surprised to find out that our family is eligible for the $1,000 LifeSG credits with our youngest child who was born in 2019. But while the monetary benefit is appreciated to defray the higher cost of living, I think what would really help large families with at least three kids would be an increase in the number of childcare leave days, to cover their sick days and when their childcare or schools are closed."

Lin Ziyu, 41, communications professional and mother to three kids aged 11, nine and five

Make flexi-work the norm

"The LifeSG credits will have the most impact on our family, as we have three children aged 12 and below. These support measures will help alleviate some of the financial strain of raising a family. The cost of essentials like childcare, groceries and healthcare can add up quickly. The credits and CDC vouchers are also useful when it comes to dental care, optical services and school supplies for the children. The measures announced have helped eased some financial anxiety but these mainly provide short-term relief. To support large families, I hope for more long-term solutions such as higher subsidies for tertiary education and making flexible work arrangements for parents the norm rather than the exception."

Siti Aminah, 36, special needs educator and mother to three children aged 10, eight and six

Timely and appropriate

"The LifeSG credits and CDC vouchers are obviously a relief for us. Anyone with children would know that fruit alone can low-key bankrupt a family. A less-talked-about but important measure is the monthly allowance given to those who pursue part-time training. We may not be able to control the cost of living, but we can try to improve our income through part-time upskilling while still having time to manage family commitments."

May Ng, 42, self-employed and mother to three kids aged 10, eight and three

Let's not forget long-term costs for large families

"I appreciate that Budget 2025 helps ease some cost-of-living pressures, but I’m not sure if it truly reduces financial anxiety for large families. Our long-term financial concerns surround higher education, healthcare and housing – areas where stronger support would have a bigger impact. What would also make a difference for large families are higher transportation and utility rebates. Finally, increased housing grants would be extremely helpful as larger families like mine need a bigger flat to accommodate our growing needs."

Kerrxing, 33, stay-home mum to four children aged 10, eight, six and three

How about an education reform?

"My youngest turns six this year so I'll only be receiving the $1,000 LifeSG credits once. Regardless, I feel the sum is quite generous and will be able to cover some expenses for my three kids. Definitely, all the vouchers given will come in handy when it comes to groceries, since large families tend to spend more on these. Beyond monetary handouts, perhaps the government can consider using some of these resources to ease overall academic pressure."

Yiqian, 41, banking executive and mother to three children aged 15, 13 and six

Will offset out-of-pocket expenses

"I am currently expecting my fourth child and I can now use the Large Families MediSave Grant to cover any prenatal, delivery, and paediatric healthcare expenses, ensuring that my child and I receive necessary medical care without financial strain. The enhanced Child Development Account funds will meanwhile go towards preschool feels and enrichment programmes to provide a strong educational foundation for our children. All the credits and vouchers from the Budget can help with expenses like formula, diapers, doctor's fees and other essentials. We can then save and invest for their future instead."

Deborah Dayani Nanayakara, 39, PR consultant and mother to a three-year-old and 19-month-old twins.

Support mumpreneurs too

"I’d love to see more support for mums who want to work from home or build alternative, flexible career paths. For instance, a mumpreneurship grant to help mothers start and run their own businesses would be a game-changer. Personally, I’m still navigating the shift from having a steady, well-paying job to running an e-commerce store — all while being the main caregiver for my children."

Angeline Lim, 36, founder of SavvyMamaSG and mother to two kids aged four and two. She is expecting her third baby in April.

MediSave top-ups for more mums?

"The additional LifeSG credits are really great though three out of my five kids are older than six already. I was really hoping for flexi-work to be addressed because those who raise a large family are time-poor. If flexi-work is more accepted and mandated for conventional full-time jobs, it would help me balance mum duties and work tasks a lot better. At the same time, it would have been nice if the MediSave top-ups could have been given to existing mothers of large families too, because our needs are the same as newly minted mums of three."

Kelly Ang, 37, freelance writer and mother to five kids aged 11, nine, six, four and 20 months

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