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In today’s society it seems a luxury to be able to stay at home and care for your children until the youngest is at least at High School. Whether it is the “desire” to get ahead, or the necessity to make “ends meet”, it seems more common than not, that Mum is working.

 

In my role as Manager of a Pre School Home Based Child Care Service with The Napier Family Centre, I have contact with many parents (mainly mums) that work or are in training. They have great difficulty finding affordable child care for their school-aged children, for the whole holiday period, and unfortunately there are few places I can refer them to.

 

Many parents who seek employment or training forget the issue of child care. This is often overlooked until the last moment, and long-term planning is often not considered.

 

The cost of child care is probably the most important issue to many, but we need to think of the children first. Life is going to change dramatically, for you and for your child, especially if they have been used to Mum being at home and available most of the time. A few points to consider – What happens when your children are ill? – Will you be able to take time off work? How will your child respond to being left in another person’s care? Sometimes you may feel guilty at not being able to attend school functions like sports days etc. These issues may sound trivial and negative, but they are important to the child and it is the reality of many working Mums, that these issues are not considered when contemplating returning to the work force.

 

Plan carefully. Talk to your employer. Have a “back-up” system in place in case of illness or school events. Often grandparents or surrogate grandparents would be thrilled to be asked to help. Talk positively to your children about what is going to happen, so it is not so bewildering. Be honest – life is going to change, but this change is a good change. Talk to your Carer or Child Care Service Provider about how you are feeling regarding leaving your child, and how you think your child is going to cope with the new situation - The old saying is true “If Mum is happy, everyone is happy”. Children will sense your uneasiness. Be Positive.

 

Children’s behaviour may change. This is common and very normal. Again communicate well with the Child care Provider. Before long the child realises that this is what is going to happen and Mum needs to go to work and the place they are left at is safe, and a happy, fun place to be. Again – Be Positive. Remind your child that you will be back to pick them up and take them home. Your child may surprise you and cope remarkably well. Praise them for this.

 

Money, Money, Money – it always seems to come down to money. We can’t escape it.

 

School aged child care is not free, so the cost of care needs to be considered carefully. Is it financially viable to train or work and pay for care? If you have more than one child requiring child care, then a large portion of your income will go to paying for this. Expect that this will happen and budget well for this time.

 

The pre-teen age child requiring care is another issue. Legally children are not to be left unsupervised under the age of 14 … who is going to care for your 12 year old for the six weeks during the summer holiday break? This is when our service receives the most calls from stressed parents needing care, and unfortunately there are few answers, because not many services cater for children in this age bracket.

 

Being a Mum is a huge “job” and often when we take on this additional role of being a “working Mum” the role becomes overwhelming. Think carefully about your children and the care your children will require. Think long term not just short term.

 

Your child and Child Care needs to be a priority. Good Luck.