Parenting is always framed in terms of dollars and cents in Singapore. This doesn’t sit well with me because I find that it reduces parenting - an arduous and arguably the most difficult job in the world - into a myopic one-sided lens.

What I feel Singapore can take a leaf out of Japan’s book is to reframe the way it views kids and incorporate ways to make life easier for parents.

In Japan, kids are seen and their needs considered in unobtrusive ways. Step into a shopping mall or food court, and you might find a dedicated play area that provides a safe space for kids to run amok and expend their energies. Some food courts even have wash basins that are customised to the heights of toddlers. I know this because the 3-year-old can wash hands on her own. Now, struggling to hold her while washing her hands back in Singapore toilets isn’t a dealbreaker, but when one’s energy is finite, every single bit to inculcate independence in his child is appreciated.

Before I know it, it’s diaper changing time. I just walk into any public restroom and trust that a changing table will await me. Some toilets even have a diaper disposal bin so that I don’t need to worry about throwing away her soiled diaper.

As for the restaurants here, the kid’s meal comes with a selection of toys that kids can choose from. Don’t dismiss these toys as cheap and brittle. The two kids managed to entertain themselves after finishing their meal and waiting for us to finish ours. (In Japan, you can expect the children to be served first so that they don’t cause a ruckus out of boredom - yet another best practice.)

I know better not to romanticize Japan and I’m sure there are institutional and bureaucratic barriers that hinder couples from having children. But sometimes I get a bit annoyed at hearing how parents should refrain from giving their children too much screen time. Okay, I agree that it should be the parent’s responsibility, but society isn’t making it easier for us to do our job. And if we always talk about money as the main determinant of raising kids, the level of our discourse will never improve. P.S: I can type all this because my girl is happily engaged pushing a characle cart.