Tag: working parents

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Is your job worth the cost of child care?

Originally written for CareforKids.com.au: http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2015/february/11/perspective.html

According to a recently publicised survey in the UK, a fifth of working parents are considering reducing their hours or giving up their job altogether because of child care costs. This is just as pertinent to Australians as it is to UK parents, as child care costs reach unachievable levels on both sides of the world and parents are being forced to make difficult decisions.

The UK survey of 1,000 parents of children aged up to 16 also found that many were planning to cut back on essentials this year, because of the financial strain of child care. And one in five said they are thinking about reducing their working hours or quitting their job.

In our own survey last year, we revealed that of the mums who had not returned to work, a fifth said this was because it simply wasn’t financially viable to do so.

Removing parents’ choice as to whether or not they continue to work after having children is not the answer for families or for the economy.

This lack of choice is due to the following key factors:

  1. The extreme lack of child care for children under two years old
  2. The cost of child care
  3. The fact that many parents feel that their children are too young for centre based or family day care under the age of two
  4. The fact that nannies in-home care still doesn’t qualify for child care benefits
  5. Operating hours aren’t flexible and aren’t meeting parents needs
  6. Slowness of employers to truly embrace the need for flexibility for

    7. both parents so that they may share the child care load.

Parents of the youngest children are most under pressure and find it almost impossible to keep up with their current work conditions and pay levels vs. child care costs.

This leads to the inescapable question for many parents: is their job worth the cost of child care? Usually this still falls on the working mum’s door, as it’s still more likely that the father has the better paid job and better career prospects. So women are still having to make the choice between career and children. This will inevitably have a trickle down effect to the Australian birth rate, because couples simply won’t be able to afford to have children.

Published for CareforKids.com.au on 11.2.15 –  http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2015/february/11/perspective.html

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Am I a crap parent?

Parents are increasingly coming under fire for parenting styles.

Hands up who sometimes feels they’re not quite up to the mark on the parenting front? Hands up who has actually been told that by a family member, colleague, friend or even by someone at the school gate who is essentially a total stranger?

It would be interesting to be able to see how many of you haven’t put up your hands. I imagine it’s very few. Much like the public view that every pregnant woman’s bump is open to touching and stroking by total strangers, there seems to be a growing trend that allows people to think they can criticise parents on the job they’re doing, no matter whether they know them or not.

I have indeed in the past been told, even by my own dear father, after a few wines at Sunday lunch, that I’m doing “a crap job” at bringing up my daughter. This was sparked by her unwillingness to eat her peas and my unwillingness to make her. Personally I prefer to save my energy and pick my battles. But what gives my Dad the right to think he can say that? Presumably his own parenting perfection…ahem.

Parents these days are constantly being picked up on aspects of parenting, and it’s not just by their parents either. It’s apparently by anyone and everyone. Even the talented, beautiful Australian actress and mum, Cate Blanchett, who by the way doesn’t employ a nanny or cook apparently, says she feels criticised for her parenting by other mums! This is not isolated. Our 2014 Annual Childcare and Workforce Participation Survey revealed that 57 per cent of mums had felt stigmatised as a bad parent (for either working or staying at home) by other mums. So what happened to the sisterhood?

Whether it’s for their children’s eating habits, gaming, noisiness, dress sense, vocabulary, table manners, bedtime, supermarket etiquette, attitude, it’s all fodder for other people’s comments. And however you parent, it’s never right or good enough for some people.

Personally I like to hide behind the thought that these dissenters are generally bored, unhappy, unfulfilled or just generally not very nice.

A recent article by Queensland University’s John Pickering, a self-confessed non-parent, highlighted the “growing and seemingly widespread view that parents these days aren’t doing a good job – that in fact they’re doing a “crap” job”. So it’s not just me, then!

He goes on to say that parents are being told they “are out of touch and too soft. They give in to their kids too easily. They’re over-involved helicopter parents, or under-involved don’t care parents. Or they could be bulldozer or lawn-mower parents (the ones who smooth the way for their child’s transition through life and make life difficult for everyone else in the process).”

As Pickering points out, this criticism is simply the “kids these days rhetoric, but applied to parents”. And of course the world is very different to how it was “in their day”. Particularly when it comes to working families.

When I grew up, working mums were in the minority. I can barely recall any of my friend’s mums working full time. Nowadays it’s almost the reverse. It’s not just due to a need or desire to be career woman either; it’s also a matter of economics.

In our parents’ day, you could very easily afford to buy your own house and pay a mortgage on one average salary. Today that is almost impossible. And this surely has to affect our way of parenting. We’ve had to adapt. But more to the point, what are we consciously doing that’s different out of choice as opposed to necessity?

Pickering’s article gives an overview of a 2012 study surveyed thousands of English adolescents in 1986 and again in 2006 to determine the extent that parent-child relationships had changed over 20 years:

The study showed that parental monitoring of youth behaviour and parent-child quality time increased from 1986 to 2006. Parents in 2006 also expected more from their children than they did in 1986, including the expectation of being polite.

The authors concluded that their study failed to provide any evidence that the quality of parent-child relationships had declined over time, and that there is little evidence of any decline in parenting across the target population.

This finding corroborates earlier studies, which analysed parenting patterns across generations and found that both mothers and fathers tended to spend greater amounts of time in child care-related activities in the 1990s than they did in the 1960s.

The major trend, says Pickering, is the appetite for evidence that informs decisions about parenting. Parents want evidence that what they are doing is effective.

“They invest time to research whether vaccines work; to find evidence that “breast is best”; evidence that car seat A is superior to car seat B; evidence that certain toys are developmentally appropriate; evidence that the discipline strategies they use are effective.”

Pickering believes that the physical, emotional, financial and intellectual resources that parents are now investing in raising their kids have never been greater.

We don’t get everything right. And none of us is perfect.

Regardless of what we’re doing differently, the vast majority of parents are simply doing the best they can in the only way they know, and we should stop criticising and start to be more supportive.

After all, two of the key things a parent can teach their child are compassion, and self-control.

To view James Pickering’s article in full, click here.

Originally published on Feb 18 2015 for CareforKids.com.au: http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2015/february/18/parenting.html 

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Post Natal Depression and The Baby Blues

Do you know the difference and could you spot it?

Mental Health Week is a national event, which runs from Oct 5 to 12 and coincides with World Mental Health Day (10 October). The aim is to promote awareness about mental health and wellbeing, and equip people with the right information.

As part of Mental Health Week we have chosen to highlight the issue of Baby Blues and Postnatal Depression. Do you know the difference between Baby Blues and Postnatal Depression? Could you spot depression in yourself, a friend or partner? And if you did, would you know what to do about it?

Being pregnant and giving birth and all that it entails is a hugely emotional and life-changing experience. Hormones are raging, our body is changing and we experience sleeplessness, anxiety, acute tiredness, tearfulness and many other symptoms, which are all perfectly normal with everything that’s going on.

For one to two weeks after giving birth, many women also experience a short period of mood swings, tearfulness, anxiety and difficulty in sleeping. This can affect up to 80% of new mums and is known as the baby blues and is thought to be linked with the stresses associated with late pregnancy, labour and delivery, along with the rapid hormonal changes that accompany the birth.

Symptoms generally settle during the first week after birth, but for some women these symptoms can carry on for much longer and may be the much more serious condition of postnatal depression. It can also affect partners of new mums as well.

So what exactly is it?

Postnatal or Perinatal Anxiety and Depression (PND) is thought to affect approximately 20 per cent of women who give birth in Australia – around 50,000 women each year, and 10 per cent of their partners.

Postnatal depression can affect women in different ways, but the main symptoms of postnatal depression are:

  • A persistent feeling of sadness and low mood
  • Loss of interest in the world around you and no longer enjoying things that used to give pleasure
  • Lack of energy and feeling tired all the time (fatigue)

Other symptoms can include:

  • Disturbed sleep, such as having trouble sleeping during the night and then being sleepy during the day
  • Difficulties with concentration and making decisions
  • Low self-confidence
  • Poor appetite or an increase in appetite (“comfort eating”)
  • Feeling very agitated or, alternatively, very apathetic (you can’t be bothered)
  • Feelings of guilt and self-blame
  • Thinking about suicide and self-harming

Left untreated, the impact on the mother, her child and other family members can be profound. Perinatal Anxiety and Depression is a recognised medical condition, the result of biological, psychological and social factors.

With celebrities such as Jessica Rowe, Gwyneth Paltrow, Courtney Cox, Brooke Shields, Elle Macpherson, Britney Spears and Marie Osmond bringing the tragic illness into the public arena on a worldwide scale, the Gidget Foundation is one of the key non-government funded organisations that work tirelessly in Australia to raise awareness of and funding for research and treatment for PND.

Postnatal depression often goes unnoticed and many women are unaware they have it, even though they don’t feel quite right, because the symptoms of are wide-ranging.

Spotting the difference between Baby Blues and PND

Mood changes, irritability and episodes of tearfulness are common after giving birth. These symptoms are often known as the “baby blues” and they usually clear up within a few weeks. However, if symptoms are more persistent, it could be postnatal depression.

Women who continue to feel “low” after a couple of weeks after giving birth, should go to see their GP to talk through how they’re feeling. The GP will ask the following two questions if they suspect postnatal depression:

  • During the past month, have you often been bothered by feeling down, depressed or hopeless?
  • During the past month, have you often taken little or no pleasure in doing things that would normally make you happy?

If the answer is yes to either question, then postnatal depression is possible. If the answer is yes to both questions, it’s very likely and the GP may ask one further question: “Is this something you feel you need or want help with?” and there is absolutely no shame in saying Yes.

Some women don’t recognise they have postnatal depression, or they choose to ignore their symptoms, because they’re afraid of being seen as a bad mother.

Of course their friends and family are always supportive and would always want to help, but many women with postnatal depression feel they can’t ask for help. It becomes a very secret illness, not unlike a chronic eating disorder. And it can build up very quickly to dangerous levels, which can sadly sometimes lead to tragic consequences if left undiagnosed and untreated.

So it’s hugely important that friends and family also know the danger signs and can act if required.

Danger signs to look out for

If someone you care about starts to show these signs try to get help for them through your local health professional. Danger signs to look out for include:

  • Talk of harming herself or the baby
  • Bizarre thoughts or speech patterns
  • Risk-taking behaviour
  • Behaviour that seems odd or is out of character
  • Severe change in mood
  • Withdrawal from all social contact
  • Extreme despair
  • Obsession with morbid ideas
  • Statements like: ‘They’d be better off without me’.

Treating postnatal depression

Postnatal depression can be lonely, distressing and frightening, but there are many treatments available. As long as it’s recognised and treated, postnatal depression is a temporary condition you can recover from.

It’s very important to seek treatment if you think you or your partner has postnatal depression. The condition is unlikely to get better by itself quickly and it could impact on the care of the baby.

Treatment for postnatal depression includes:

Read more about treating postnatal depression.

Why do I have postnatal depression?

The cause of postnatal depression isn’t clear, but it’s thought to be the result of several things rather than a single cause. These may include:

  • The physical and emotional stress of looking after a newborn baby, particularly a lack of sleep
  • Hormonal changes that occur shortly after pregnancy; some women may be particularly sensitive to these changes
  • Individual social circumstances, such as money worries, poor social support or relationship problems

The following will put you at greater risk of developing postnatal depression:

  • A previous history of depression or other mood disorders
  • A previous history of postnatal depression
  • If you experience depression or anxiety during pregnancy

Read more about the causes of postnatal depression.

Helping to prevent postnatal depression

You should tell your GP if you’ve had postnatal depression in the past and you’re pregnant, or if you’re considering having another baby. A previous history of postnatal depression increases your risk of developing it again.

If you keep your GP informed, they’ll be aware that postnatal depression could develop after your baby is born. This will prevent a delay in diagnosis and treatment can begin earlier. In the early stages, postnatal depression can be easy to miss.

The following self-help measures can also be useful in helping to prevent postnatal depression:

Read more about preventing postnatal depression and the self-help measures you can take. But the most important thing is to seek help. Talk to a partner, friend, family member or professional.

Click here for an amazing video on Dealing with Post Natal Depression from PANDA: “Behind the Mask: The Hidden Struggle of Parenthood”

Source:

NHS UK

The Gidget Foundation raises funds and awareness for perinatal. Founded by the friends and family of vivacious Sydney woman, “Gidget”, following her suicide as a result of “post natal depression”, the Gidget Foundation exists to promote awareness of Perinatal Anxiety and Depression (PND) amongst women and their families, their health providers and the wider community to ensure that women in need can receive timely, appropriate and supportive care. They have a dedicated outpatient clinic – Gidget House – in Sydney.

PANDA (Post and Antenatal Depression Association)

Black Dog Institute

Written and published for CareforKids.com.au http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2014/october/8/pnd.html

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Australia: PRODUCTIVITY COMMISSION DIVIDES CHILD CARE INDUSTRY

But What is Best for Working Parents?

The Productivity Commission’s draft report published in July looked at the issues facing many parents whose lives and working hours don’t conform to standard child care hours or “approved” child care services. It also discussed how to address the chronic shortfall of child care places in many areas and how to improve women’s workforce participation.

Two of the recommendations made were that overseas Au Pairs should be allowed to stay with one family for the full 12 month working holiday visa (opposed to the current six month maximum period with any one family) and that there should be an extension of child-based government assistance to enable greater access to home-based care services. This is in order to improve accessibility for the growing number of families with parents who work irregular or non-standard hours.

The report also argued that the government should allow approved nannies to become an eligible service, for which families can receive assistance, conditional on those nannies meeting the same National Quality Standards, care ratios and qualifications that currently apply to family day care services.

The above recommendations have been put forward to help address the huge unmet demand for child care in Australia, particularly for the under twos, together with the needs for those families with more than one pre-school aged child, and those with special circumstances, who are working shifts or unsociable hours or who have children with special needs.

In Australia, there are around 3.8 million children under 13 years old, living in over 2 million families. Around half of these children use some form of non-parental care in either the formal or informal sectors or both. And demand is growing as the population and workforce increases.

The Productivity Commission estimates that over 100,000 additional full-time places will be needed by 2026. And increasing long day care places and assistance for Family Day Care Services will still not meet these numbers or the needs of all parents.

Industry bodies and child care businesses of course all have their own opinions to the plausibility, viability or suitability of these recommendations and there will inevitably be some debate over the correct division of child care funding.

The Productivity Commission is suggesting that the various child care benefits, rebates and special assistance be streamlined into one means tested subsidy to make it fair and easy to navigate for parents.

Au Pairs can be a great option for families, particularly if parents buddy up and share an au pair. Only one of you needs to have the extra bedroom, but all can chip in for the cost of bed, board and pocket money. They can bring a different cultural experience for children and often a new language to learn.

And don’t be fooled into thinking that Au Pairs are inexperienced or unqualified. Many women across the world have been au pairs for years. They often have child care qualifications in their own countries and are likely to be more experienced in child care than many child care workers in formal day care centres! The only downside is that they can only stay for up to a year.

Nannies have been around for just as long, if not longer, than day care centres and child-minders. They are often seen as elitist, but the fact is that if you have more than one pre-school child they are far more viable, for average income families, not just high income earners. They often become a very valued member of the family and a good nanny is worth his or her weight in gold.

Vice-president of the Australian Nannies Association (ANA), Annemarie Sansom said that families employing a professional nanny should receive subsidies equivalent to those applied to other forms of childcare.

“When families have two or three children in childcare, the cost is comparable to that of employing a nanny. What makes employing a nanny more expensive at the moment is the lack of any subsidy,” she said.

In-home care is essentially a part time or full time nanny service, but one that is approved and subsidised by the Federal Government, due to special circumstances. It enables families with unusual work, location or care requirements to access approved child care in their own home, and is currently only available to those families that are unable to access standard child care services and/or families in unusual circumstances.

In-Home Care is particularly appropriate for families where parents work night shifts or unsociable hours, as well as those who are in remote locations and don’t have access to child care centres etc.

Recent Government initiatives and Productivity Commission recommendations have included the expansion of access and eligibility to in-home care and funding has been increased to enable more families to access the service.

To see how in-home care varies from the other forms of child care currently available to parents have a look at our child care comparison table.

There is no wrong or right form of child care. No one-size-fits-all. All families and their needs are different.

Written by Sophie Cross for CareforKids.com.au: http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2014/september/17/pc.html

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Delay Tactics: The creative ways by which children try to delay bed time!

Delay tactics - CareforKids.comMy daughter has always been a great one for delay tactics. For everything. Her favourite and most used word is actually, “wait”! It really is. She uses it as a general punctuation now without even thinking.

Children learn the art of delaying very early on; around about the same time they learn to play their parents off one another and get their certificate in advanced negotiation skills.

They do it before they can even talk. And as they get older, their excuses and reasons for one more minute get more and more creative. These are some of my current favourites:

  1. Wait, I need to brush my hair (never brushes it during the day).
  2. I haven’t brushed my teeth (yes, you have).
  3. Can you stroke my back/head for a few minutes?
  4. I haven’t got any water/my water doesn’t taste nice.
  5. Could I have a hot chocolate/milk & honey?
  6. Can you get me the cat?
  7. The cat’s annoying me – I can’t sleep.
  8. I just need to do 5 more handstands.
  9. I haven’t done my homework.
  10. I need to go to the loo (again).
  11. Can I just watch until the end of the episode?
  12. I feel sick (usually a strategic plant for not wanting to go to school the next day).
  13. There’s a fly in my room.
  14. I need to charge up my DS.
  15. My foot’s itchy, have you got any cream?
  16. My Band Aid’s come off my verruca, can you get another one.
  17. My pyjama bottoms have gone up my leg. Can you come and pull them down?
  18. My legs feel funny. I can’t sleep.
  19. I’m too hot/too cold.
  20. It’s too light/too dark.
  21. The TV’s too loud – I can’t sleep.
  22. Can you turn up the sound on the TV – it helps me sleep.
  23. Can I read you one more chapter?
  24. Can you read me one more chapter?
  25. I can’t stop thinking about Tsunamis.
  26. I need to get my special pillow.
  27. These pyjamas are too tight. I need to change.
  28. Can I just go and say good night (again) to the kittens?
  29. Mum what happens when you die?
  30. “Wait! Oh, wait, I’ve forgotten what I was going to say…”.

By Sophie Cross for CareforKids.com.au. Posted: http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2013/june/26/delay.html

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Dads Also Struggle with the Parenting Juggle

And younger male execs are taking a stand

An article in the Australian Financial Review recently highlighted the fact that while most emphasis is put on the daily parenting vs work struggle of mums, dads find it just as hard.

The AFR reported that Max Schireson from US database company MongoDB was stepping down from his role as CEO for “family reasons”. He will continue with the company in a more family-friendly vice-chairman position.

And when he said “for family reasons”, that’s just what he meant. In a blog he wrote:

“During that travel, I have missed a lot of family fun. Perhaps more importantly, I was not with my kids when our puppy was hit by a car or when my son had (minor and successful, and of course unexpected) emergency surgery”.

READ MORE HERE Written by Sophie Cross for http://www.careforkids.com.au

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Co-Working Space With Child’s Play

Innovative services provide perfect solution for freelance parents

The idea of workspaces that have a child play area, or even on site child care, that cater for self employed parents, has just taken on in Australia, with the first service, Bubs & Boardrooms popping up in Sydney’s Inner West.

The idea behind Bubs and Boardrooms and similar services overseas, is to provide a workspace for parents, while also providing a play space for their kids.

So parents can work in a communal, creative shared and serviced office space with similar people for inspiration and company and have their kids nearby playing in a safe play zone.

In the USA and the UK companies such as NextKids and Third Door, workspaces with play zones have been operating for a few years to great success.

READ MORE HERE

Written by Sophie Cross for http://www.careforkids.com.au

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Dealing with autism in child care

What to do if you suspect your pre-schooler is Autistic

Autism, although not exactly common, is increasingly more known in our society. That’s not to say it’s been proven to be more prevalent than in previous years, but we’re getting better at diagnosing it.

Pretty much everyone will have a friend or relative with a child who suffers from autism, or Autism Spectrum Disorder, so called because of the huge range of difficulties and behaviours it encompasses.

These include difficulties with:

  • Social interaction (e.g. Seeming unaware of others and/or disregarding social conventions)
  • Social communication (e.g. Delayed or absent verbal language, and/or reversing pronouns)
  • Imagination (e.g. Having limited and unusual interests, and insisting on sameness).

The most commonly encountered children will be those with Asperger’s Disorder, which is widely regarded as “a lesser form of Autism”, but nonetheless on the scale and difficult to deal with as a parent or carer. In the case of Asperger’s there is no language delay, although communication difficulties still exist.

Despite rumours surrounding the MMR vaccine, which were subsequently laid to rest and dismissed as unsubstantiated scare-mongering, Autism is genetic. But there is still a lot about Autism that isn’t known. It varies hugely in symptoms and levels. It’s not curable, although some parents and autistic people have found ways of dealing with it and have successfully managed to live with and operate in society at a reasonably “normal” level. We use that term normal loosely of course. At the end of the day, with any child, what is normal?!

Autism is more prevalent in, though not exclusive to males.

It’s often hugely misunderstood. And the behaviour of the kids who are dealing with Autism is also often misread or mis-diagnosed.

Generally speaking, Autism is most likely to be picked up or diagnosed sometime after 18 months, which these days means that a child may well be in child care before, during and after diagnosis.

Frequently asked questions are:

  • Do autistic kids need to go into special care?
  • Are they able to attend a regular day care?
  • Do they need specially trained carers in child care?
  • What are the pros and cons of inclusive care?
  • What are the signs to look out for?
  • What do I do if I suspect my child might be autistic?

Children with autism can be included in regular child care situations, although carers should be trained in dealing with children with ASD. Not only can the normality of the situation help the kids with Autism, but also dealing with anyone with a disability of any type on a daily basis encourages tolerance, compassion and understanding. Qualities that cannot be underestimated in today’s society.

There are many ways children with ASD can be helped in a non-specialist child care facility:

For many autistic children, visualisation is key, particularly if they have language delay. Photos on lockers, pictures, faces and emotions, coloured indicators of areas and spaces are all very helpful to both autistic and non-autistic kids.

Defined areas are also great at helping physical structure and understanding of activities. Things like mats for specific areas, divisions, reading corners, mood boards and weatherboards – anything that helps define activities is very effective.

Changing norms and adapting behaviours are also key. Autistic children often find direct contact or lack of personal space upsetting. You don’t have to sit facing children, they can be told to sit side by side, which is much easier for an autistic child. Story time just has to be slightly rearranged. Expectations of certain behaviours changed.

Journalist Josie Gagliano, has a son, Rafael, who was diagnosed at 20 months. Here she recounts how she and her son’s child care service dealt with his particular needs.

C4K: Was Rafael already diagnosed with ASD before or after starting child care?

JG: No, he wasn’t yet, but I knew by then. He was 1 year and 8 months old when he started childcare, and I already had concerns. In fact, that’s why I put in child care one day a week, to help develop him further, and because they assured me they’d had children with special needs at the centre. My son was diagnosed with mild autism at age 2.

C4K: What were the early signs for you? Did you notice them or were they pointed out by someone else?

JG: My son would not respond to his name, and he previously had. That and the fact he stopped saying any words at all were my big signs. Plus, at playgroup, he would not join the other kids to play. Instead, he was happy to do his own thing.

C4K: How did your child care then address his and your needs?

JG: They had additional funding to cover an extra teacher at the centre, so she could concentrate on helping him. The other teachers were also on board and knew how to interact with him and how to get the best out of him.

C4K: Were there any issues while he was in child care and how did you overcome them?

JG: I always needed to ensure we were on the same page, working towards the same goals. This meant having meetings and checking in from time to time. Most of the time, things went smoothly, as we had extra funding to have an additional teacher at daycare to attend to his needs.

At his special needs-specific playgroup it was a different set up altogether: very much focused on his needs and strengths and weaknesses, and working towards improving social and play skills, as well as developing his speech via sessions, and occupational therapy sessions as well.

C4K: What advice would you give to parents who think their child may be autistic or who have just found out their child has ASD?

JG: The BEST advice is: get a diagnosis ASAP. And if your hunch is mistaken and your child is not autistic, then at least you will know – it could be an alternate concern, not autism, and you could address that instead. If there is an autism diagnosis given to your child, early intervention is key. Another very important piece of advice (said with love) is: Allow yourself a ‘mourning’ period, allowing yourself the time to be sad about the loss of your dream of a raising a neurotypical child. He or she will instead thrill you and bring you joy is so many other ways, and this new way of approaching your child, and recognising strengths and little triumphs will pull you through those first few months, and the years to come.

Find out more about Josie and her son’s journey and also more about dealing with Autism on her blog

First thing is to always consult with your GP as soon as you suspect anything is wrong. Second is to talk to your child care service and discuss issues with them. Don’t be worried that you won’t find child care; most centres are willing and able to help you.

For more information on Autism, check out the following websites:

www.autismspectrum.org.au

www.autismpartnership.com.au

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Stuck for childcare and no family nearby?

A Granny Au Pair may be just what you need!

As we all know, quality child care is in short supply and if you’re in the position where you’d love a nanny, but don’t have the funds, or you could do with some grandparent help, but have none nearby, then the latest child care inspiration – The Granny Au Pair – could be just the thing.

You may have previously discounted the idea of an au pair due to the image of a young, homesick studenty sort with possibly little experience in child care. Or you might have been put off by another image: the super-efficient, six-foot, gorgeous blond from Scandinavia. But perhaps it’s time to reconsider…

Would the idea of a more mature age woman, from your mother’s generation appeal? A woman who has reached retirement with a desire to travel and see more of the world, but not necessarily with the funds to be able to do so on her own and looking for a nice family to live with and help out for a summer or a set period of time?

Well it’s entirely possible. With an ageing population and a more sprightly generation of pensioners who want to see more of the world when they finally retire, more mature ladies (and some gentlemen), aka “granny au pairs”, from all over the world have increasingly been using their experience of raising children and running a household to travel around the world and expand their horizons while staying with families who need a helping hand with the kids and chores.

There are a number of agencies specialising in granny au pairs, but one of the first was the eponymous Granny Au Pair, based in Germany and the brainchild of German woman, Michaela Hansen, who created an au pair agency purely for the over 50s.

Hansen missed the opportunity to be an au pair and travel when she became a mum at 20 and launched the initiative to send young-at-heart grandmas from Germany all over the world after watching a TV programme about young au pairs.

“I thought: Why isn’t there something similar for older women?” A few months later she set up Granny Au Pair – an online portal that places women aged over 50 abroad as ‘au pair grannies’.

Granny au pairs however can bring with them a wealth of experience in child care, housekeeping, cooking and managing a household and can bring with them an added dimension to a family, particularly when grandparents aren’t living nearby.

Hansen believes they can be much more beneficial to families than younger au pairs: “Young people often still lack prudence and sensitivity. Older au pairs draw on a wealth of life experience and take the daily challenges in their stride. They are active and curious and eager to find out about other cultures and customs and they want to improve their language skills”.

Like most au pairs, they take care of children in exchange for room and board. There is usually no pay, though the family and au pair are free to come to an arrangement, and a membership fee is paid to Granny Au Pair.

From India to Australia, Dublin to New York, granny au pairs have been putting smiles on children’s faces over the past three years with Granny Au Pair.

Click here to search for au pair agencies in your area.

With regards to “hosting” a granny au pair in terms of visa compliance, it is a very grey area (geddit!). Most grannies would be on a visitor visa and may not therefore be working for or supplying services to an organisation or other person based in Australia’, according to Immigration website. However on a Tourist or Visitor visa, you can volunteer…

“Tourist and Visitor visa holders may be able to work as a volunteer where the work is genuinely voluntary and no remuneration is received in return for the activities”, but if the family pays pocket money, expects at least 25 hours per week or even if they offer to pay for the au pair’s flight as part of their arrangement, this could be deemed as remuneration.

As with all foreign travellers and people hoping to work in Australia, would-be granny au pairs or host families should check compliance with visa status with the Department of Immigration or an au pair agency. For additional help go to www.volunteering.com.au or www.volunteering.com.au.

When researching this story the general comment from the team here at CareforKids.com.au (as most of us are mums) is that we personally couldn’t imagine anything worse than going to do chores for someone else’s family and kids when we are in our dotage, but who knows… the travel bug may get us and we’ll be off to live-in some swanky mansion in LA to look after Brad & Angelina’s grandchildren! Life could be worse.

Published for CareforKids.com.au http://www.careforkids.com.au/newsletter/2014/april/23/