Of Travelling Job and Being a Mom

This article is inspired by SimplyJesMe's recent article on how motherhood has changed her perception for travelling. It resonates a lot with me. Like her, I have a travelling job. Unlike her, I'm still in the travelling job. Unlike her, after having my first child, I am weary of my travelling job, but yet stuck my head in it, and had my second and third child while still in the travelling job.  Unlike her, I do not have the courage to quit my 9 - 5 to start a business. Go read her blog or support her business, she's an inspiration! (This is NOT a sponsored post. I don't know Jes, and Jes didn't even know I wrote about her.)

I'm not travelling now. Simply because I am having my 16 weeks of maternity leave, currently. However, my 16 weeks are going to be up soon (in just a few weeks' time), and I will be going back to my (travelling) job. Looking at my work schedule, I have yet any travels due to the coronavirus. Either the clients do not want us there, or we can't go there (e.g. China). The entire office is at low workload currently (not sure whether we will be asked to go for no-pay leave, or what'll happen if this continues). 

With three kids, I am thinking of what should be the best move ahead.

Staying in my current job or changing a job?

I won't be promoted for many years to come. I guess the 48 weeks of maternity leave in 4 years has an impact on my career. Also, there's some change in organization structure, and some power struggle going on top, which in short is not to my advantage. If I go back to work, I can cruise through. Except for the travelling which sucks -- my partner will need to care for 3 demanding kids and I'll miss them dearly. 

I can look for another job. To command a similar salary or even more, I'll likely be in the same industry, which again involves intense travel (except maybe for now). However, pay will be better, and perhaps better prospects. A new job will mean spending more time understanding how the company operates, the new standards they use. Apart from time away due to travelling, it will also take my free time away as I work beyond 9 to 5 to get up to speed. Not my priority now.

Look for a job in another sector? There's not a lot of things that I like. I can do technical talks, I can teach technical stuff, do technical calculations and engineering designs. But, I don't want to go into projects. Even if it's in Singapore, it's a lot of time at field, and on weekends. Not my priority at the moment.

I know, I am damn choosy. 

So for the near term plan where there is a reduced workload, I'll continue staying in my company, as long as they continue to employ me. However, this is only the short term plan. 

In the long term, extensive travelling is not sustainable for a home with growing kids. The best way is to have a new job that requires less travelling (And is easy enough for me to just work my 9 -5 and bring nothing home). But I am so choosy not only in the job but in the culture. I cannot work in an environment where I'm being micromanaged. I need an environment where I have the freedom to choose how to get things done to achieve the required goals while following the rules within the SOPs. I suck at jobs or environment where the boss tells you to do A, followed by B, C, D and so on. I hate unflexible work hours because I have been spoilt for years with flexible work hours (come anytime between 7.30 to 10 a.m.) and go home after 9 hours.

I want to work in parts of Singapore where you can rely on the cheap public transport (i.e. bus, MRT). This means, no deep inside Tuas South, Jurong Island and so on. I have spent my first part of my careers in such areas. These are not where I want to be. 

You know what? After listing all these above, I know what's my next move.

Tell you more next time.

How much I spend on 3 Kids a month.

Many people say that kids are one of the largest expenses you can have. I have 3 kids, and this is how much I spend on them per month.

1. Childcare

I am not ready to engage any domestic helper. Hence, while I am at work, the childcare centre will help me engage my kids. There are many reasons why I didn't opt for a domestic helper, but perhaps that will be in another post. My youngest is in infant care, and my two others are in childcare. After government subsidy, this come to a whooping $1,800 ($800 for infant care, and $500 each for childcare).

There are occasional outings at the childcare centre. I only let my eldest go, as I feel kids before the age of 3 are unable to appreciate or remember where they have been to. These excursions average $20 per month (so are more expensive like watching a play, while some like going to the library are just a few dollars).

Total per month for childcare: $1820

2. Enrichment

Following the same concept as excursion, only my eldest goes for enrichment. For just 2 enrichment per month, I spend $300.

Total per month for enrichment: $300

3. Milk

I have three kids. All of them are on different milk

The infant is drinking breast milk, so I do not buy milk powder for my baby. I pump most of the milk with a modestly priced breast pump, Spectra 9 which cost about S$100. I have used this for years, and it's still working. And I also have a spare. I have used this for all my 3 kids, and this is an excellent pump, worth its price.

If you want to store a lot per bag, consider this. I store about 300ml ++ per bag inside (I know it is above the capacity), and I use about 120 pieces per month. 

If you are going for a lesser quantity per pack, this is cheaper:

I also bought a freezer. It's a one time fee, so it's not included in my monthly calculation.

My 2- year old is on full cream milk powder (not formula milk). It costs about $60 per month.

My 4- year old is on UHT milk, and it costs about $20 per month.

Total amount spend per month on milk: $100

4. Insurance

I bought medishield plus rider for all of them. This cost about $162 per month for all three of them.

5. Diapers and Wet Wipes

My eldest is fully toilet trained, so no more diapers. But my two others are still on diapers which I buy here when it's on discount. They cost me about $70 per month in total for both of them. For wet wipes, I buy from value shop ($1 per pack), and this is at most $10 per month.

Total for diapers and wet wipes: $80

6. Food

I usually grit my teeth when I eat out with my kids, so I have been cooking for the most of the time. This actually cut down a lot of my food cost too. On average, I spend $100 per week on groceries. I can't differentiate theirs from mine, so I shan't. Though I guess most of the grocery cost is for me than them. They just eat one small bowl each per meal? Anyway, I just take the total cost of $400 per month.

Total for food: $400

7. Medical

This is for injections, doctor visits and so on. Most vaccines are government-subsidized, but we took those recommended as well. Together with other doctor visits, this is about $100 for all three of them per month. One tip, go to a polyclinic for doctor visits, you'll save a lot. One of my children had dry skin, and got a moisturizer. The cost of it is less than $2. Nice!

8. Activities at home

Kids need to be entertained continuously. I used to buy toys, but stopped as I feel that they do not need so many toys, and also because my home is going to become a junkyard for toys. Nonetheless, they still need many things to keep them occupied. These include stickers, color pencils, origami paper, books, and so on. I buy them from Value Shop. For about $1, you can get a 12- colored color pencil set. 

On average, I spend $10 per month in this category. 

9. Excursions

I bring my kids out. This range from free activities such as to the playground, park, library and so on, to paid ones such as the swimming pool, Uncle Ringo, Zoo, and so on.

I'll include items I buy for the trip to free places (e.g. kids scooter and tricycles, etc.).

On average, I spend $100 per month.

10. Clothes/ Shoes

I buy them only when needed. I don't see any value in having too many clothes or shoes since they outgrow them quickly. My younger and youngest wear those that my eldest can't wear, so I just spend on one person. This is about $20 per month. Buy online. $20 can last much longer.

Total Amount spent per month on three kids is about $3092