"Ala Carte Buffet" to Boost Birth Rate

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I am a working mother of 5, with ages ranging from 21 months to 12 years old. They were not exactly “products” of baby bonus and a lengthened maternity leave, though the schemes are appreciated as recognition of our efforts in leveling up the birth rate. Our large family is made possible because of 2 groups of fervent supporters, one of employers and another, grandparents.

I have taken 3 out of a possible 5 maternity leave periods with my current employer, Ngee Ann Polytechnic. In fact, my 4^th child was conceived and born during sponsored studies. The nursing room in office is always well-equipped with nursing pumps and replenishments to welcome new mothers reporting back to work. In my 11 years with the polytechnic, I have been granted half-time work scheme not once but twice, over a period of 6 months to a year, to tend to my family. The first was to tend to my third child’s developmental delays and I am currently into my second half-time work arrangement to be with my eldest child going through the PSLE stress. We have awards for supportive NS employers, can we have the equivalent, or even tax incentives, for supportive employers of mothers?

As the income gap widens and the populace becomes more heterogeneous, one “length” of maternity leave can no longer fit all. What one mum deems as an appropriate duration may not be for another. Personally, four months seem about right;  any longer would mean a longer “weaning period” to adjust back to work. Instead of mandating a fixed period of maternity leave, can a range be specified for the exact duration to be agreed between the employers and new mothers?  Any unconsumed period can be converted into grandparents’ allowances, in recognition for their efforts to help raise our next generation with the same going for paternity leave?

The point is can packages, inclusive of baby bonus, be worked out for parents to pick and choose which works for them?  The combination of child bearing incentives will also differ based on the parents’ life cycle needs and availability of home support as well. Young couples may appreciate monetary incentives over extended maternity leave if home support is readily available. Ultimately family planning is very personal and hence the availability of choices will make convincing much easier. Although an "Ala Carte Buffet" deal might be policy makers’ nightmare, however with sound underlying principles, I am confident the details can be worked out, perchance by the newly formed Ministry of Social and Family Development.