Before becoming a parent, I thought I had a reasonable idea of what raising a child would cost. Like many first-time parents, I expected the obvious expenses: milk, diapers, clothes, toys, and occasional doctor visits. I read countless articles, watched videos, and listened to stories from family and friends. I thought I was prepared. I though I was prepared in raising my toddler boy.
Then, 2024, I became a parent.
Fast forward to 2026, as the parent of a toddler, I’ve learned that the biggest costs aren’t always the ones that appear on receipts. Some are financial, others are emotional, physical, and even professional. If you’re planning to have children, currently raising a toddler, or simply curious about what parenthood really looks like, this article is for you.
I’ve learned that the biggest costs aren’t always the ones that appear on receipts
Content
The Budget I Thought I Needed
The Expenses Nobody Warned Me About
Raising a Child Who Never Stops Exploring
Children Are Always Watching
The Emotional Cost Nobody Talks About
Sleep Becomes a Luxury
The Constant Mental Load
Daddy Is Fun. Mommy Is Home
The Guilt
How Parenthood Changed My Priorities
What Actually Matters
My Top Parenting Lessons So Far
The Most Expensive Thing Isn’t Money
Final Thoughts
Frequently Asked Questions
________________________________________
The Budget I Thought I Needed
Before my child was born, I created a simple budget. If you’ve been following my page, you know that I plan so much about what I do and how I would do it. Sounds crazy, right? Balik tayo sa kwento ko. I estimated monthly expenses for milk, diapers, and baby essentials. I assumed that once those basics were covered, everything else would fall into place.
What I didn’t realize was that toddlers are constantly changing. One month they like drinking something, and the next month they’re refusing it. One week they love a certain food. The following week they act like they’ve never seen it before. Every stage introduces new needs, new challenges, and new expenses. This is how I knew that parenting isn’t a fixed budget. Parenting is a moving target. Thank goodness that I have this journey with my husband. How courageous, just like my mom, solo parents are on this journey. This is the reality of the budget we thought we needed.
The Expenses Nobody Warned Me About
1. Vitamins and Supplements
I expected that milk formula would cost us so much expenses based from my workmates. 5,000 to 10,000 pesos monthly, they said. Depends on the milk formula your baby will take. Okay, if I breastfeed, that’s a big cut. So, I did until Sky turned 1 year and 1 month. But I didn’t fully appreciate how much attention and money could go toward vitamins, supplements, and nutritional support.
As parents, we constantly worry whether our children are getting enough nutrients. Sabihin mong hindi. Naku, maglulupasay ata ako sa kakaisip what to feed Sky next. When my toddler becomes a picky eater at times, suddenly vitamins became part of our conversation. GanaKid, Pediapetite. Name them. Madalas naman he would eat whatever I give him. Just that I need to feed all his car toys, too.
Then, I would find myself comparing brands, reading labels in grocery aisles of SMDC and Robinson’s Supermarket. I would also ask pediatricians and ChatGPT for recommendations and try to determine what’s best for my child. These may seem like small purchases individually, but over the course of a year, they add up big time.
2. Medical Checkups, Vaccines, and Unexpected Illnesses
No parenting book can prepare you for the anxiety of hearing your child cough or have high fever in the middle of the night. Toddlers explore everything. They touch everything. And just put it in their mouth. As if it’s a must step in their exploration. Yeah, some said it is.
And because of this, they catch everything. Regular checkups, vaccinations, medications, consultations, and occasional emergency visits can become recurring expenses. Even when healthcare costs are manageable, the emotional stress can feel enormous.
One thing that surprised me was how much healthcare planning matters once you’re no longer covered by a corporate Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). After leaving the job that I had been in for more than a decade, our family suddenly had to think differently about healthcare. During the transition, we spent a lot of time comparing HMOs, emergency care plans, and various options available in the market. Later, we got 2 plans from different providers for all of our family of 3 (One for ER care only with i-Care and an unlimited check-up for the whole year with Maxicare. HMO is another topic.
Looking back, we waited longer than we should have. From our experience, children don’t get sick according to your timeline. Medical needs don’t wait until you’ve finished comparing benefits and premiums. If there’s one lesson I would share with parents, it’s this: don’t wait too long. Have a backup plan and then have a backup for that backup. March 2026 with Sky was that period of learning.
Remember, peace of mind alone is worth it.
I also had no idea how expensive vaccines could be until I became a parent. Some vaccines start at around ₱1,000, while others can easily reach ₱6,000 or more depending on the vaccine and provider. This is monthly since baby turns month 1. Public health centers in the Philippines have available vaccines depending on seasons or when it will be released by Department of Health. But it’s not always complete and you would not want to rely on waiting for it to come if you can do something about it, right?
For our son Sky, we’ve chosen a private pediatric clinic in Makati. The clinic only operates in the morning, which sometimes requires adjusting our schedules, but the convenience and experience of the pediatrician have made it worthwhile for our family.
Lord’s Grace Medical Clinic at JP Rizal
Sky’s pedia doctor is Dr. Jessica Generoso (02)8511-1060 / 0915-7794-615
This is a small clinic with 2 or 3 staff members.
One thing parenthood teaches quickly is that you’re not only paying for medical services. You’re paying for trust, expertise, and reassurance.
Message me to request for a copy of my baby book. It has copy of vaccine booklet and space for doctors instruction every time you will visit. I keep this not just a memory but as journey reference. Yep, so emotional!
3. The Milk Debate Every Parent Eventually Faces
Like many parents, I spent countless hours researching milk options. Kasi naman advertisements make it seem like the right milk will solve every problem. “Anong formula ng baby mo?”, usually a conversation starter pa sa office. Many of our relatives have opinions, and friends have recommendations. And yes, the internet has even more.
Our son Sky is taking Ascenda milk, still, even now that he is 2. And still breastfeeds when I’m home. He started taking milk formula when he turned a year and 1 month. I know that while every child is different and parents should always consult their pediatrician, one realization changed my perspective: milk should support nutrition, not replace real food. Kaya kapag may doctor’s visit kami, the doctor would always ask, “anong kinakain na ni Sky?”. At times, I’m proud to say mga nilagang patatas, itlog and so on. Until my Mama Juliet said, “kung anong ulam niyo, ‘yon din ang ipakain mo sa kanya.” That’s coming from someone with 5 kids. Nakakapagod din naman kasi mag-isip ng masustansiyang pagkain.
Nitong nakalipas na mga weeks, I became so focused on finding the “best” milk that I occasionally forgot a simple truth. My son is human. He needs to learn how to enjoy solid food, discover different flavors, and build healthy eating habits that will stay with him for life. Milk has its place, but helping a child develop a healthy relationship with food matters just as much.
4. Learning Through Play
Before becoming a parent, I underestimated the importance of educational play. While not every toy is necessary, investing in learning experiences often becomes a priority for parents who want to support their child’s development. Aminin, palagi tayong naghahanap ng pwedeng gawin ng ating anak.
Lately, I have been spending days and weeks with Sky. Then, I noticed that he would push kids when they’re in his way. Grab things he wants. Bakit ganoon siya? Walang ibang kids saamin. Sakto naman may dumaan sa Facebook feed ko na mother and son video. The mother was teaching him how to interact with other kids. Role play. “Excuse me.” Ganon pala dapat. I did the same thing with Sky. Lo and behold. Ginaya naman niya. Well, after many tries. My next assignment is to make sure he would stay consistent and not just when I’m around. I want him to grow well with kindness built in his bones. Or else, mahiya naman ako sa mother ko. My nanay brought as up with so much kindness even when the people around her is cruel.
Anyway, enough with my story. The challenge is finding balance between meaningful educational tools and marketing messages that convince us our child needs everything.
This was one of the biggest surprises for me. Dati I would go at the end of the world para lang makatipid. My siblings are a testament.
Parenthood changed how I value time. I begin paying for convenience. Food delivery, online shopping, taking grab for transportation and additional household help. We even moved in the middle of the city to cut and save 5hours of travel time every work day. Services that save even a small amount of time suddenly become attractive because my schedule revolves around naps, meals, routines, and unexpected toddler emergencies. I know that as a mom, I’m not paying for the product anymore, but for peace of mind. My previous self would demand to cut the drama. I know! I know!
Raising a Child Who Never Stops Exploring
One of my favorite things about Sky is his endless curiosity. He loves going out. He loves seeing new places. He loves observing things that adults often overlook. Whether we’re walking through a street full of cars, driving somewhere new, or simply spending time outside, he notices everything. And I mean everything. Every sound, every light, every person and every object that catches his attention.
Watching the world through his eyes reminds me how much wonder still exists in ordinary moments. Habang tumatanda tayo, we often become numb to our surroundings.
Toddlers don’t. He doesn’t. He reminds me that the world is still interesting. That there are still things worth noticing. And honestly, that’s one of the greatest gifts of parenthood.
Children Are Always Watching
Another thing that amazes me is how much Sky imitates his father. Sometimes he’ll carry something close to his chest exactly the way his dad does. Other times he’ll mimic his father’s walk, his singing, or small habits that we didn’t even realize he was observing. The list keeps growing.
It’s crazy when you stop and think about it. Children are constantly studying us. They’re paying attention even when we think they’re distracted. They’re learning from our actions far more than our words. And that realization has made me more mindful of the example I set every day. I remember having a conversation with AG, a couple of years ago. I asked, how can we raise him as a good human being? He said something like, “just make sure you are good and he will follow.”
The Emotional Cost Nobody Talks About
Kahit saan man na angle tingnan, the financial expenses are easier to calculate. The emotional costs? It’s hard to measure. Mothers would know.
Read: Mixed Emotions of Motherhood by Jelly Lopez-Cawili
Sleep Becomes a Luxury
I used to think being tired meant staying up late for work. Parenting introduced me to a completely different level of exhaustion. Sky don’t always follow schedules. He get sick, wake up unexpectedly, have growth spurts, and have phases. Sleep becomes one of the most valuable resources in our household.
Read:How Motherhood Has Changed Me by Jelly Lopez-Cawili
The Constant Mental Load
Parenthood means carrying a running checklist in your head. Did my child eat enough today? Is he drinking enough water? Is he developing appropriately? Do we need to schedule a checkup? Do we have enough milk? Enough vitamins?
The mental load doesn’t disappear when you’re working. It doesn’t disappear when you’re resting. It follows you everywhere because your child’s well-being matters more than anything else.
FREE DOWNLOAD – Toddler & Household Planner for Busy Filipino Parents (Printable PDF)
For Working Parents Living in a Condo
By Libot Tayo with Lily
Daddy Is Fun. Mommy Is Home
One observation I’ve made is how different Sky’s relationship is with each of us. His dad is his playmate at home. They’re laughing, and playing games. But whenever something changes his mood, he comes looking for me. If he accidentally hurts his arm, he yells, “Mommy!” If his dad tickles him too much, he runs toward me laughing and protesting at the same time. If he’s upset, tired, overwhelmed, or simply needs comfort, he comes looking for a hug or a kiss. Sometimes I feel like I’m his emotional home base.
As exhausting as that can be, I know these moments won’t last forever. One day, he’ll become more independent. One day, he won’t need a kiss to solve every problem. And when that day comes, I suspect I’ll miss hearing him call out for me.
The Guilt
Many parents understand this feeling. If you’re working, you worry you’re not spending enough time with your child. If you’re spending time with your child, you worry you’re neglecting work. (My work) If your toddler watches television, you feel guilty. If you don’t allow enough screen time, you wonder if you’re making life harder than necessary. Aw inda!
Parenthood often feels like making the best decision possible with imperfect information. Mapapabuntong-hininga ka na lang talaga.
How Parenthood Changed My Priorities
One of the most surprising lessons of parenthood is how quickly priorities shift. Before having a child, I might have spent money on things that brought temporary satisfaction. Camping, books, more books and more books.
Today, I find joy in much simpler things like a healthy appetite, a good night’s sleep and a successful doctor’s visit. I’m even happy when I hear Sky say a new word, when he laughs, and I’m given a surprise hug.
Yeah, the things that once seemed important become less important. The things that seemed ordinary become extraordinary.
What Actually Matters in Parenting a Toddler
After two years of parenting, I’ve realized something important. Toddler’s needs our presence more than perfection. Social media often creates unrealistic expectations. Nandiyan ‘yong perfect birthday parties, perfect nurseries, perfect family photos, and perfect parenting routines.
Real life looks different. We often have messy meal time, schedules not followed, exhausted bodies – kami ‘yon. Sometimes our toddlers will have tantrums in public. Nakakahiya pala day sa simula. And that’s okay. Parents in the same journey would know and understand. I just need to remember that the goal isn’t perfection. The goal is showing up consistently, creating a safe, loving environment where children can learn and grow.
The goal is showing up consistently, creating a safe, loving environment where children can learn and grow.
My Top Parenting Lessons So Far
If I could go back and give advice to myself before becoming a parent, I would say:
1. Budget more than you think you’ll need.
2. Secure healthcare coverage before you need it.
3. Have a backup plan and then another backup plan.
4. Invest in experiences, not just things.
5. Focus on solid food, not just milk.
6. Ask for help when you need it.
7. Remember that every child develops differently.
8. Comparison steals joy.
9. Your child doesn’t need a perfect parent.
10. Small moments become the memories you’ll treasure most.
The Most Expensive Thing Isn’t Money
Looking back, the biggest cost of parenting isn’t actually financial. It’s time. Because while I’ve spent money on vaccines, vitamins, milk, doctor visits, toys, and experiences, those aren’t the things I remember most.
What I remember are the ordinary moments. The way Sky runs toward me when he needs comfort. The way he copies his father without realizing it. The excitement he feels when discovering something new. The curiosity that seems impossible to satisfy. The little voice that calls out, “Mommy!” Those are the things that matter. Most times I’m scared that they pass far too quickly.
Final Thoughts
Parenting a toddler in the Philippines comes with unique challenges and rewards. The costs are real. The responsibilities are significant. The sleepless nights are unavoidable. But the experience has also taught me lessons about patience, gratitude, resilience, and love that no amount of money could buy. My sister, Bel, saw my photo with Sky the other day and she said “I can feel the different kind of love our babies gives us sa pics niyo hehe … sarap nyang love nay an …” If you’re a parent reading this, know that you’re not alone. We’re all learning as we go. And if you’re about to begin your parenting journey, prepare yourself for more than the financial expenses. Prepare yourself for a transformation. Because raising a child doesn’t just change your budget.
It changes your life.
And despite all the challenges, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Except maybe a full uninterrupted night of sleep.
❓ FAQ
A. How much does it cost to raise a toddler in the Philippines?
The answer depends on your lifestyle, location, and parenting choices. Based on my experience, regular expenses include milk, food, vitamins, diapers (if still used), doctor visits, vaccines, toys, transportation, and occasional childcare support. What surprised me most was that parenting isn’t a fixed budget. Toddlers constantly change, and so do their needs. Some months are manageable, while others come with unexpected medical or developmental expenses.
B. What milk is best for a 2-year-old?
Every child is different, so it’s always best to consult your pediatrician. In our case, Sky is currently taking Ascenda milk and still breastfeeds when I’m home. One lesson I learned is that milk should support a child’s nutrition, not replace real food. As toddlers grow, developing healthy eating habits and enjoying a variety of solid foods becomes just as important as choosing the right milk.
C. How much do toddler vaccines cost?
Vaccine costs can vary depending on the vaccine, clinic, and location. In our experience, some vaccines cost around ₱1,000, while others can reach ₱6,000 or more. Public health centers may offer certain vaccines for free or at lower cost, but availability can vary. Many parents choose private clinics for convenience, availability, or continuity of care with a trusted pediatrician. You can also contact my friend, Ms. April Lopez, a registered nurse, for home-visit vaccine booking. Message me to get her number.
D. Do I need HMO coverage for my child?
While every family’s situation is different, I personally believe healthcare coverage is worth considering as early as possible. One of our biggest lessons came after I left a decade-long corporate job and we no longer had company-provided healthcare. Medical needs don’t wait until you’ve finished comparing plans. Having an HMO, emergency fund, or healthcare backup plan can provide both financial protection and peace of mind.
E. What is the most important lesson you’ve learned as a parent?
That children need presence more than perfection. Before becoming a parent, I thought success meant having everything planned. After becoming a mother, I realized that the moments my son remembers won’t be the perfect meals, toys, or schedules. They will be the hugs, the stories, the adventures, and the feeling that someone was there when he needed comfort. Parenting changed my priorities and reminded me that time is often the most valuable thing we can give.
Helpful Parenting tips
• A Family Trip: What To Expect at Manila Ocean Park + The Biodome?
• Child Health and Development
• Department of Health
• Statistics & Family Data through PSA
Next articles I will publish:
• Why I Left a Stable Job After More Than a Decade
• Budget Guide: How Much Does It Really Cost to Raise a Child in the Philippines?
• My Favorite Family-Friendly Places Around Metro Manila
If you’re a mom trying to organize, simplify, and improve your daily life whether it’s budgeting, routines, or just keeping things together you are in the right place. Let’s build simple systems that actually work in real life, not just on paper.
Thank you so much for reading my experience. My heart is full.
Let’s Connect
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📩 Email: jalopez@libottayo.com
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