Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Anything childcare can do, I can do better

Why is it that parents actually pay another person to spend time with their kids? The paid person gets to hear to first words, see the first steps or answer the first curious questions. Frankly they get to share the most precious moments with our children. Now my thoughts are more, is this person going to pay the same amount of attention and love to the child like you? Most likely not. This is a job like any other. What counts is the paycheck.
A job a person attends with his own problems brought from home or his own fears. So, what kind of attention is the child getting? The same attention that all the other 10, 20 or even 30 kids will get. It will be the sort of attention without the sparkling eyes or the loving words of a parent. This is maybe the explanation why so many grownups feel worthless - nothing special.....nothing unique......Generations in all societies where institutions (like Kindergarten, schools) are normal will have these problems. Both parents claim they have to work to meet their obligations -I know that is jumping in the head of the readers dying to get out......BUT lets look at these financial obligations. Let`s see we have a mortgage for the house combined with the average of 2, maybe 3 cars. The constant "keeping up with the Jones" Mentality makes the commercial chains happy with their yearly turnover - Plasma-TV`s, WiFI, Nintendo all things one must have. Of course this kind of lifestyle requires 2 wages. And on top of that not to forget the childcare payment which is usually covered my one of those wages......You see, you can say NO to this - you can change the way you live in seconds by shifting your perspective and giving your family a different priority. If you don`t change then you can be assured that your kids are also going to fall for that consumer culture. They already get little gadgets that teach them how to earn points by working in order to buy things for the little gadget-pet, things like TV, cars, clothes, holidays etc. The message that is transplanted here in very early age is - that you cannot have fun without spending money. Ideas presented to these kids in the lines of walks, picnics, football, swimming or bike riding - all these things make children bored by the thought of it or just sick cause of the physical input required. So, the cycle there continues and is therefor hard to escape.
I would say for parents wanting to spend more time with their children - it is possible. Cut downs would be necessary. I mean giving up on a car, coping with not having certain things may be difficult. BUT you can be sure of one thing. The unconditional love you child will give you when you share the first words, the first steps or the first curious ques ions together. Our world would be a better one if children spent more time with their parents and less time with people that do not really care - how could they ? They don`t have the love a parent has.

4 comments:

  1. Oh, your words are so true. I feel terrible leaving my kids in care. I just need to do it for a break.

    Caroline

    ReplyDelete
  2. Caroline,

    I understand the need to have a break. But the truth is, you only have your kids once......I always found that looking for ways to relax while being with my kids, has workied out best for me. I would not want to change that for the rush of taking kids to kindergarten then the rush of picking them up. The whole process of "reconnecting" with eachother takes time - then before you know it they have to go to bed. We are all cheating ourselfes by thinking we are getting a break when they are gone.
    I have lots of ideas on how to create that space to relax and enjoy time when your kids are around. I would be happy to provide answers.

    N.J.

    parentingwithfun@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Interesting post! I wanted to spend time at home with my kids, which I have done, and although I have enjoyed every minute of it - it has cost me a lot in the personal stakes. At night, when they go to bed, that is when my "workday" begins and I work into the small hours of the morning, every morning. This usually means a cranky start to every day which is not very pleasant for any of us, and I have often wondered if a couple of hours a day at a playcentre would give the child different stimulation than what I can provide and give me a time-space in which to work by day! xx

    ReplyDelete
  4. I understand that alot. I had times, when the kids were young that took alot of energy out of me. Those times, as all, do pass.
    But staying up at night would pressure anybody and I agree that a couple of hours playtime for the little ones serves the purpose of filling up your own energy cup. So, my heart goes out to you in many ways. You sure are a strong mummy/person. I suppose everybody has to find what suits them best..........xxx

    ReplyDelete