SINGAPORE: A video released by the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) on Monday (Aug 17) is getting an unusual amount of attention as it features a family with nine children.
Given how Singapore’s total fertility rate has dropped to a historic low, it should not come as a surprise that the clip, which explains how the LifeSG app can be an invaluable help for families, has been greeted with amazement and even delight by netizens.
The video shows parents Luke, an interventional radiologist, and Lay Hui, a housewife, together with their offspring Amanda, Bethany, Christian, Dorothy, Emmanuel, Francisca, Gregory, Henry and Ignatius, who range in age from young adults in the tertiary level and National Service, to the youngest who is not yet in school.
Except for its large size, the family looks to be a happy one, with the children washing their own dishes and the older ones helping with childcare and cooking, and mum serving as the family “Grab driver,” fetching her children from MRT stations daily.
Lay Hui admitted that having such a large family is challenging, and at one point, Luke said having so many children would not be possible without his wife’s resilience.
“As a woman, as a mother, to be able to have such a big family, and to manage everything, I think, in itself, it’s a celebration and a success story,” he added.
What Singaporeans are saying
Many netizens commenting on the clips, which were posted on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as shared on Reddit, were very impressed with the family, especially with Lay Hui and Luke.
“9 kids in Singapore?! That’s not parenting, that’s project management at enterprise scale. 😂 Respect—and seriously, how do you stay sane?!” wrote an IG user.
Another wrote, “9 kids… I’m exhausted just thinking about all the milestones, but you guys make it look so effortless!” and added, “Love how LifeSG helps with the admin side of things!”
Both parents got their share of admiration from commenters, many of whom exclaimed at how young-looking Lay Hui and Luke are.
“Wow.. Really admire seeing families with many kids and giving them equal love & care. And the mummy still looks so young!” a Facebook user commented.
“The mum is a real hero! Pregnant and giving birth 9 times is not a joke! This gentleman won!,” one wrote.
“A single salary to support 11 pax. Legend,” added another.
Interestingly, a number of Luke’s former patients dropped comments thanking him for the care they received.
A Reddit user wrote: “He was my child’s doctor at KKH. Amazing person, always patient with questions (so you don’t feel like he’s just rushing to clear you out), empathetic, connectable and good with children. Now I know why, he has sufficient practice at home!
He will follow up to ask how my child is after her procedure, and I’m just grateful to have him (the alternative doctor was a surgeon who recommended an invasive procedure without giving any alternatives, had to do my own research and ask to be transferred to another department in KKH). Really thankful that I was transferred to him.” /TISG
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