In support of parents
Should parents be encouraged to go back to work or to stay at home?
It’s a question that has been the subject of much debate of late. In fact, a government report has just been published which recommends that stay-at-home mothers be given more financial support. At the same time, a new back-to-work scheme has been launched which offers more affordable childcare to low-income families.
Most new parents have to make that difficult decision about how they are going to balance the work/family situation. They are under a great deal of pressure and parents often find themselves struggling to cope. Sadly, family well-being is often the first casualty.
Giving parents the opportunity to concentrate on establishing their new family is vital. I agree that economic security is one way of helping to achieve this, and it is certainly encouraging that new initiatives are focussed on this area. However, it’s important to remember that family security and economic security are not one and the same thing.
The well-being of your child and of your family as a whole depends on many other factors. It takes a great deal of time and energy to come to terms with becoming a parent. As a parent, you need to be willing to work out how you can function effectively as a family. You have to decide what you value most and what you want for your children, both now and in the future. Above all, as a new parent, you need time to gain a real understanding of your baby’s needs. A strong parent-child relationship is the starting point of a parenting process which can benefit not just your family, but the society in which we live.
© Christine Meadows