Parenting
Posted by: Prad
16th Apr 2023 02:22am
What are some of the biggest challenges that parents face in Australia today, particularly when it comes to pregnancy and early childhood development? How do you think our society supports new parents, and what changes could be made to better support families during this critical period?
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Comments 56
cat
Vaping, drugs and alcohol is on the rise with young kids which is extremely worrying.
Con D. Oriano
A much bigger baby bonus for having 2 kids (replacement rate)
Darshni3258
Parents in Australia face challenges related to work-life balance, accessing affordable childcare, and managing the demands of parenting in the early childhood years. Balancing career and family responsibilities is a common struggle. While there are government-supported initiatives such as parental leave, some parents find it insufficient.
Improving support for new parents could involve enhancing affordable childcare options, expanding parental leave policies, and increasing access to parenting resources and education. Creating a more flexible work environment and promoting family-friendly policies in workplaces could also contribute to better supporting parents during this critical period. Additionally, community programs that foster social connections among parents may help build a support network.
Carla Priscila32084450
Lack of support for mom who has no parents here, no government support for mom from overseas, expensive medical cost.
Georgina3258
I found the support after I had my baby was really lacking! All great during my pregnancy and labour and delivery! But one I got home I was completely on my own. Which I struggled a lot with and dpreasion two which I still have 2.5yrs PP
Priyanka3258
Hyper active kids and pregnancy awareness about stillbirth
Sri Sharanya32309396
Considering early childhood development, for parents who
Work full time, it’s super hard to
Find child care, the waiting for this is really shocking.
Ramsay123
Becoming a parent can be a huge culture shock no matter how many books you read or people you seek advice from. Many new parents feel isolated. The mothers group program is an excellent start but I think that a couple of home visits from health nurses would maybe help them recognise any issues more quickly.
breeza5
At the moment I'm a single mum and my work won't let me come back part time, I have to come back full time and I also can't find any child care for my daughter
Rho3258
I’m. Sorry to read this. I feel for you. What line of work do you do? Is WFH an option?
margaretjulia
As an older person I can see that the extra strain on families when two parents need to work full time. It is impossible to look after children with time to listen after school to children's problems and help. Housework cannot always be shared equally, school pickups or arranging care is time consuming and too much is expected of working parents. The world is going out of kilter and there is not enough time for "care"
ladylucy666
I think there is a lot less support to new parents from the community than there used to be. It's a complete life change, and can be very isolating for new mums. Home visits from midwives are helpful, but I think more community places for new parents (both) would be highly beneficial
Rho3258
Yes this! As a new mum I never received support or was able to access a mothers group as I became very ill after having my daughter. No suport with counseling at all either my husband had to stop working for 5 months and received no assistance at all. Either from docs or counseling lucky for our family but we felt totally let down by the medical system and professionals
BCafeS15
I’m not a parent and don’t ever plan to be. I can barely look after myself so probably a good thing.
Mary Joy31626710
Im a new mum and im struggling with producing breastmilk and it’s stressing me that the midwifes doesnt give you enough resources to help.
John3258
My wife tried to breastfeed but wasnt having the best time with it. There was alot of pressure from the nurses and older generations to breastfeed. She tried really hard and it affected her mentally. Eventually we stopped trying and transitioned to bottle feeding. It was the best for us.
margaretjulia
I am sorry to hear of your problems. I also had problems breast feeding and the more I worried the less successful I was and ended up not breast feeding on the midwife's advice. My daughter persevered and ended up being able to breast feed for two years so times have changed in that respect. She used breast pumps to help.
Bren40
Work-life balance and family time is the biggest challenge for our family. We can’t afford to live on a single income which means we both spend less time with our child than we would like to.
cupcake40au
A problem is when both parents need to work to support themselves, they have to put the child into care. If payments from Centrelink were more, this may be avoided .. to the benefit of the child, being with the parent more.
Narelle31377557
I would have appreciated more help at home, also my husband staying home longer. Im glad that men are able to have more time off when a child is born.
jjdrer
Loss of sleep and adjusting to new "everyday" routines. (Some Mums go home from hospital within 24 hours of giving birth). They don't even know if baby is going to feed properly before leaving hospital.
People giving clothes as gifts. It would be wonderful if some outfits were for older babies, not all for newborns.
While new Mums regain their strength I'm sure some Mums would like somebody to do their washing and clean washing put away if you know here it goes - or even sorted and folded into stacks for each person to be taken to appropriate rooms to be put away later -- not left in one large basket / heap.
Rojan3255
Parents in Australia face challenges like high childcare costs, work-life balance, and mental health issues. Society offers support through parental leave and healthcare but can do better by:
Affordable Childcare: Lowering costs to ease the financial burden.
Flexible Work: Promoting flexible work options.
Mental Health: Expanding access to mental health services.
Community Programs: Investing in parenting support groups.
Regional Healthcare: Expanding services in remote areas.
Cultural Sensitivity: Tailoring services for diverse families.
marianne
I think expenses and life style choices is making it harder for people to actually become parents. This puts a lot of pressure on parents to be "perfect" since they invested a lot of time and potentially money to have the children, who will be fewer and probably have older parents with more income. Children speed a lot of time in childcare which means there are people who a paid to cater to there needs. This may be a social experiment which results in entitled children not ready for the real world.
jjdrer
Young people tend to want the "best" of everything and use credit card or similar to pay for what they buy. Sometimes they could be things that could be bought later when money as been saved to reach a goal which we always thought of as an achievement. The money people can save that way helps with the expenses including baby equipment when it is needed. Not all baby equipment advertised is essential.
Arun31948988
In Australia, parents face challenges like access to affordable childcare, work-life balance, and managing the costs of raising children. Regarding pregnancy and early childhood development, challenges include accessing quality healthcare, juggling work commitments, and dealing with postpartum mental health issues. While Australia offers various support measures such as parental leave and healthcare services, there's room for improvement. Enhancing affordable childcare options, expanding parental leave policies, and bolstering mental health resources for new parents could better address these challenges. Additionally, promoting workplace flexibility and providing comprehensive parenting education can contribute to improved family support during this critical period. Societal changes that encourage a more family-friendly work environment and increased awareness about parenting challenges could create a more supportive atmosphere for Australian families.
Caperteewaratah
Many women have to return to work after having children. In the 1960s and 70s this was promoted as a woman's right and maternity leave introduced. Still women are always burdened with the bulk of household chores and child rearing putting stress on marriage relationship and family. I tried both ways and came to the conclusion that you cant do 2 big jobs well. When I did stay at home working minimal hours in a job, myself and the family benefitted. Money usnt a substitute for the care and attention given by a mother to her children and family. My adult children have since confirmed this. Coming home to Mum, after school, some cake fruit and help with homework is beneficial.
I know many might disagree, citing financial pressures which I do understand. But there are things money can't buy and motherly love is one of them.
Housing costs are very high but there are other ways of cutting costs such as furniture from options, freecycle or much is given away on marketplace. Home cooked meals are cost saving and better for health. Homemade or hand me down clothes do the same job.
I think one if the biggest pressures on families is greedy commercialism, putting strain on young families that they have to have all this material stuff.
Noticeable now are stories of young families selling up buying a van and travelling around Australia, working on the way. If you can do that what a great family bonding that would create.
Society or government should support women who stay at home to do the most important job in the world ... rear children. Currently it doesn't and only supports gives money to those who work outside home .. the government has got it wrong. Reinstate a tax deduction for the parent staying home to mind children.
Cutting the benefits to single parents was one of the cruelest uncaring acts a government ever did. Now reinstated not to the full extent .. and they praised themselves for it.
Yes, I think the pressures on families are worsened by bad govt policies and politicians on their junkets who just have no idea.
AnxiousOne
It’s very interesting to read so many comments about the cost of child care and other people saying that there should be a parent staying at home with the child/children. It’s clear that there are opposing views on here. And that is reflective of the what is seen and said in real life. But …
My daughter had her first child in January this year and she expressed last week that she is feeling some pressure to return to work. She didn’t say anything about where the pressure is coming from and I don’t want to presume. But she said that she doesn’t WANT to go back to work. She’s in no hurry to return to work, yet she is feeling like there’s some pressure.
I see in her a very caring mother who has motherly ‘instincts’ such that I never saw in her own mother! She was happy to be back at work after some 3 months. I was the one who stayed at home with the three children and looked after them - until she decided to leave the marriage and take the children with her. The youngest was about to start school. I had done my job and I wasn’t useful any longer.
Caperteewaratah
Your daughter is expressing a natural desire to be a caring mother. She should be supported to do this. The oressure to return to work can come from relatives, friends or a spouse.
My advice would be don't listen to the pressuring ones, tell them to mind their own business. Her and her child are the priority.
It's no wonder there are many teenagers feeling suicidal, depressed and unhappy when they have been shoved around to childcare other parents visiting rights and the like.
The family unit is important to preserve. It's the building block of society. Mothers need to be supported if they want to be at home.
Mary Joy31626710
I am currently 29 weeks pregnant and with all of my doctor and midwife clinics i dont really feel supported. I just wish they just have enough time to chat and maybe give out free stuff needed like supplements and books and pregnancy pillows. I dont know i just want to feel special i guess because this is a very special experience for me. And i think through that, i can be more comfortable when seeing them on my appointments. 😁
jjdrer
The truth is there isn't enough doctors, midwives etc for them to have time for a supportive chat with patients. Also hospitals in general don't have enough nursing staff either. That includes private hospitals too. Some nurses are so dedicated that they don't take their short breaks because their allotted patients have to wait for care otherwise.
Olugbenga30903842
The society is good at supporting new parents with counselling and gifting to the new born.
Chetna32003097
Sleeping patterns it's hard, breastfeeding then digital technologies if older sibling.
scraggs
we have 7 children and we got no government assistance, just one blue collar wage. and we were happy, not always complaining and asking for assistance
jjdrer
I don't know how old your children are. I know Child Endowment as it was known up until the 1970s and probably for a few years after that was means tested.
Now I believe Family Tax Benefit is means tested too.
musicmum
Parenting has always been a challenge, I think parents expect too much perfection. If you stay away from all toxic chemicals you will have an easier time, if you breastfeed for as long as possible you will have a healthier baby. And stop being paranoid about germs, babies need to be exposed to natural germs to build up their immunity. Basic cleaning without toxic chemicals is much safer and better in the long run. And please stop wearing or using fragrance, they are full of toxins. Be grateful for what you have not what you don't have, embrace the short time you have with your child, they grow fast and you don't want to miss a thing. Sorry I think childcare is unfair to the child, ,rearrange your life before you have children so at least one parent or grandparent is with the child at all times. Lastly stop comparing yourself to others, you are doing your best, follow your intuition, you don't need all the gadgets either. My child never even had a dummy!
Ellie32290128
It is hard but we have another issue that babies are not born
Rose31647602
God Bless You, the right baby will come to you.
Erika3254
Having access to cheaper baby products. Everything is very expensive and it makes it hard for lower income families to afford children
jjdrer
I remember my Mum saying that she kept a damp flannel in the nappy bag when it was being used. At a later stage she kept a spare of knickers in a small plastic bag in her handbag. I remember one supermarket doing handbag checks. My Mum had a spare pair of knickers for her small granddaughter in a freezer bag in case they were needed.
Caperteewaratah
Breast milk is free.
Products? Most of them are not necessary. Wipes are one if the worst ..what about a damp face washer which can be washed?
Disposable nappies .. cloth ones are reusable and not hazardous to the environment it the child. Disposables absorb so much and are left on longer when soiled .. meaning more urine burn.
Mother's love is most beneficial..more than "products"
musicmum
You don't need all the baby products, they are pushed onto parents by guilt association. Ask your grandparents what they did before all these products were put on the market.
GarryM
The cost of childcare
Ellie32290128
I agree with you
monicag8
I found a lot of negativity meets a parent. Other people want to adopt peoples kids very eagerly it is as though so many people cannot have kids. It is very negative.
ladylucy666
For myself, it was the dismissal of perinatal depression by family and friends. Even though I was being provided multiple sessions a week through the public health system, my friends and family still refused to believe anything was wrong and I should just "be happy".
It made it really hard, and extra lonely. I don't think anything could have prepared me for those emotions l, and definitely think a support network outside of "the system" would of been high beneficial
Caperteewaratah
Can be hard now if extended family not living nearby, like grandparents, aunts uncles.
The reality of child bearing can be different to all the balloons and fanfare after birth. Feeding, changing, getting used to caring for little ones and the constancy of it.
More education prior to birth would be helpful. And instead if people denying the mothers feelings, mire helpful if they offer help, like take you out for a cuppa and cake, do a bit if housework or help you with it. Ring up fir a chat. Invite you for a meal. Just simple things to help take the burden off a bit and make you feel cared about are worthwhile.
New babies are,all joy .. experienced mothers know this and can be kind by mentoring younger mothers.
Captured
My kids are grown now, they are between 12 and 20 years of age so i'm probably a bit out of touch with babies and little ones.
I guess i have been old school/traditional when it comes to babies, i feel it is best to have the parents raise their own kids. None of my 4 went to any type of daycare/preschool.
My hubby worked and i stayed home looking after the kids and had little side hustles (selling things on ebay, selling handmade crafts, etc) which helped to buy the non-essentials like gifts, treats, day trips and we'd save up for family holidays.
All my pregnancies were through my local public hospital and i had great treatment.
When it came to my kids early development, they had lots of educational toys, and i had them outside a lot, teaching them life skills which has proven to be helpful as they have been able to do things which their friends and peers had no idea about due to living a more sheltered childhood.
I think parents have to learn to live within their means and realise they do not need the latest and greatest to get by.
Caperteewaratah
Agree totally.
I think materialism is a problem.
musicmum
I agree with you, parents are too paranoid too these days. They need to relax and enjoy the parenting, childcare is unfair to the child.
Sil sil
Hi, I feel parents really need to prepare themselves much earlier, financially and not over commit or indulge so that they can take time to be a parent. I often hear, oh bubs needs to go to daycare from 8 weeks old....parenthood should be enjoyed and the first 5-10years are so important. You don't get that opportunity again. It's ok these days, not to have children. The cost of living is one thing but the luxuries people want that traps them into "needing" to work so much is selfish. You have a choice and it's ok to say, I simply can't afford to have children or im not willing to change my lifestyle to have children. Don't make the child pay the price, we see in society the outcome with higher levels of mental illness, families falling apart etc...there are no handouts for choices, we just need to make honest ones. The government shouldn't help your choices. Pregnancy is a lovely experience and if your job is suitable work right till the end if you can. Maternity leave is available but in some cases mothers need to find different jobs / careers to accommodate raising a family. All huge choices you need to investigate before having children.
Caperteewaratah
Your words on choices are so true.
I dud not send my children to childcare.
I did it once to family daycare, I was worried the whole shift and on picking them up, my son had been sobbing the whole time I was gone. My daughter tried to be cheerful. The woman minding them had a headache and was stressed
I decided then and there, not again, so only worked night shift so my husband was at home with them.
I dec
musicmum
I agree to your comments. Also you do not need to be financially secure just wise with what you have. We managed with a low income, you don't need to buy as much as what the adverts keep telling you to buy. I think it is sad parents are missing out being parents by putting them in childcare.
Razorfish
As others, I think the biggest challenge is juggling time together and work. Lots of bills to pay so it is always a balance between earning money to support your family but also spending time with your family. In some jobs/industries it is getting easier with more flexible working hours and locations but this does not always apply to all. I know from experience getting decent childcare in cities can be extremely hard as the demand is just so high. So more child support is a must.
jtmorri
Unfortunately, with both parents working a child goes into daycare. An ideal situation would be for a child to be in the care of one of their parents at all times. Having a child is a big decision these days due to the cost of everything. The new parents should be supporting each other as they have decided to have a child and create a family. They should weigh up affording to have a child, who will look after the child and when, who will work, how much money they actually need before deciding to have a child. Workplaces are flexible these days and there is parental leave, so really couples need to make the decisions themselves now on what they will compromise on themselves and go without if at a certain point having a family is that important to them.
Prad
One of the biggest challenges that parents face in Australia today is the high cost of childcare, which can make it difficult for families to afford quality care and education for their children. This can put a strain on both parents and children, and can also limit parents' ability to return to work and contribute to the economy.
I think our society could do more to support new parents by providing greater access to affordable childcare options and early childhood education programs. This could include things like subsidies for low-income families, increased investment in public childcare facilities, and greater support for community-based programs and initiatives.
jjdrer
In some cases with the high cost of childcare, the cost of transport even using buses to childcare and work + tax deductions you gain so little, especially if there is special work clothing, shoes etc requirements that you have to abide by. You may only gain a very
small amount of money