Childhood Wishes: What Singaporeans Couldn’t Have as Kids

A recent thread on r/askSingapore asked Singaporeans what they couldn’t have as kids but buy for themselves now. From Game Boys to McDonald's meals, many people shared how childhood restrictions shaped their spending habits as adults.

1. Game Consoles – The Ultimate Childhood Luxury

Many Singaporeans grew up dreaming of a Game Boy or PlayStation, only to be denied by their parents for various reasons.

"My mom was very smart. Kept telling me, 'Wait first, the newer model coming out, then buy.' Rinse and repeat. Now I'm already 30 and still Game Boy-less."
— u/archerfrase

"Had to get straight As to qualify for a Game Boy Color... when I was a mixed Bs student. Haiyaa."
— u/icyheartsreddit

"My parents told me eye will spoil if play Game Boy."
— u/cheesetofuhotdog

Now, as working adults, many have gone back to buy retro gaming consoles or modern alternatives like the Nintendo Switch.

"Not sure if it's a good idea, but you could check out retro gaming handhelds. I own one and completed a bunch of old-school games. It's a nice consolation for growing up without consoles."
— u/Electrical_Leg_6955

2. McDonald’s & “Expensive” Food

Some Singaporeans weren’t allowed to eat out as kids because their parents thought it was too expensive.

"McDonald's—Mum said it was too expensive. Now that I'm an adult, I agree with her."
— u/illEagle96

"We never ate out. Not even on special occasions. Mum’s mentality was: 'Why pay for food when I can cook it?'"
— u/anangrypudge

Ironically, some kids today are spending big at McDonald's without hesitation.

"I see primary school kids ordering a la carte fries, a drink, and ice cream—$12 paid with EZ-Link. If I did this as a kid, I would be caned."
— u/ephemeralcandy

3. Colour Pencils, Art Supplies & School Stationery

For many, art supplies were a "luxury", while assessment books were top priority.

"I always wanted new colour pencils. My mum said no and I vaguely recall getting caned when we got home."
— u/Infamous_Seaweed7527

"Went to school camp, Mum refused to buy me colour pencils, convinced we didn’t actually use them. She gave me a single grey crayon instead."
— u/AsleepProfession1395

Others weren’t allowed fancy school stationery, such as those double-sided pencil boxes with buttons.

"My mum always insisted on plain pencil cases, saying the fancy ones were useless gimmicks. Years later, I walked into Smiggle, picked one up… then put it back because she was right."
— u/Casarel

4. Books – Too Many or Not Enough?

For book lovers, getting their hands on storybooks was either too difficult or too controlled.

"Funnily enough, books. My mum thought I read too much, and it was making my eyesight worse."
— u/erisestarrs

Meanwhile, another user had the opposite problem—her parents were too obsessed with books.

"My parents never let me buy storybooks—only assessment books. I was never without a new assessment book, but I had to borrow fiction books from the library."
— u/BusinessCommunity813

Now, many adults buy books freely or collect editions they couldn’t have as kids.

5. "Useless" Toys & Collectibles

Parents often refused to buy "unnecessary" toys, making these now prime targets for adult nostalgia purchases.

"That city carpet—the one with roads and a city layout design to play with toy cars. I wish my parents bought it when I was a kid."
— u/NIDORAX

"The original Power Rangers MegaZord."
— u/sniktology

"Those expensive Barbie doll sets. I learned to never ask and just fantasised about buying them when I grew up."
— u/TalesAndTables

Now that these childhood treasures cost hundreds as antiques, many adults still haven't bought them despite finally having the money.

"Visionaries Action Figures. Now I can’t afford one either because they’re antique-priced at a few hundred dollars."
— u/No_Pension9902

6. Trips, Treats, & Experiences Denied

Some were promised rewards that never came, while others were denied fun experiences altogether.

"Big item – Disneyland trip. Parents promised if I topped my level. I did it in Primary 3. Still never went."
— u/mrscoxford

"Ice cream tubs. Mum made me choose between that or groceries for the family."
— u/hannorx

Now that they earn their own money, many people make sure to enjoy what they missed out on.

"All the ice cream flavours my adult money can possibly afford!"
— u/hannorx

7. Hoarding & The "Keep for Later" Mentality

Some parents hoarded gifts & free items, never letting their children actually use them.

"If we got free notebooks or cute stationery, my mum would refuse to let us use them and say 'keep it for later.' Now, 20 years later, I still have a cute bag from BRANDS that I was never allowed to use."
— u/InterTree391

This led to resentment in adulthood, with many now choosing to use what they buy immediately.

"Now when I buy something, I make sure I use it. No more 'saving for later.'"

8. "Money for Family, Not for Us"

Some Singaporeans were denied things not because their families were poor, but because money was sent elsewhere.

"My parents sent all their money to relatives overseas. We didn’t get sweet treats, meals out, or even period supplies."
— u/Cixin

"Where are those relatives now? Nowhere to be found now that my parents are old and can’t earn money."

This has led to many breaking the cycle by prioritizing their own immediate family and children.

"Now with my kids, I get them what they want. If we are struggling, I tell them honestly. No need to make up reasons."
— u/AsleepProfession1395

Final Thoughts

Many Singaporeans grew up with strict financial restrictions—whether due to actual hardship, parental values, or misplaced priorities. But now, as adults, they reclaim their childhood wishes, buying what they were denied just because they can.

What about you? Is there something you always wanted as a kid, but couldn’t have? And if you can afford it now—would you buy it?