We're Here For Drea Chong's Candid Response To "When Are You Having Another Kid?"

With Chinese New Year here, many of us are gathering with loved ones and extended family members (like the aunties and uncles you see once a year). And more often than not, there'll be relatives or friends posing nosey well-meaning questions, that range from "When are you getting a boyfriend/girlfriend?" (as if one can conjure up a partner at will) to "When are you having a baby?" (for those who are married and without a kid).

And here's a classic for mums:

"When are you having another kid?"

Enter local influencer and mum of two Drea Chong's candid response (in her head, at least) to this all-too-familiar scenario, which we're pretty sure resonates with many fellow mothers.

In an Instagram video, she retorted, "A third kid? What am I, a baby-making machine? What if I'm happy with two kids? Do you know how expensive it is to really raise two kids? Can you imagine three? The school fees, diapers, milk, and toys will times three."

Then there are all the things that mothers have to deal with after birthing a child, from postpartum recovery to having to get their careers back on track.

In the video, she goes on to add, "Also, I'm still trying to get my body back. I want my body to recover before even considering a third. Then how about my career? I have to put a pause on it just when I thought I had it going back up again."

She also cited having the mum guilt of not spending enough time with each son, saying, "Not to mention, my time with my two boys will be divided again. Just when I felt guilty about not spending time with my second."

With the societal pressures mums often face — such as the expectations of the acceptable size of one's family — Drea's candid commentary is a refreshing reminder that there's no rulebook to parenthood.

She did answer the question in her post, though, writing, "I think this is a question both partners have to discuss together. Imran is currently leaning no to a third, while I’m open to the idea of a third… just not yet. But who knows! Our plans and mindsets may change after a few years."

And for a polite way to shrug off the question without delving into details?

"We see how la."