Stay at home mums- drain on the economy

[Little Miss Sunshine]

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/mum...d094f155d5af07

This really gets my bee in a bonnet.
I hate how people are seen as "resources". No thought to a person's well being or happiness.
I hate how there is only consideration for the economy- not what is best for families and children.

Personally I work part time 2 days a week and I couldn't give a toss what financial incentives are there or that I'm draining the economy- I want to bloody be there for my kids (most days) and the juggle to balance work/home is hard and tiring enough with part time hours.

And don't get me started on breastfeeding rates - WHO encourage women to feed for 12 months yet the government want us back at work asap.

And for the expensive mess and inflexible mess that is childcare (yet childcare workers get paid peanuts)

Grrrr 😡😡😡😡

ETA: I strongly believe in CHOICE.
If a woman wants to return, I believe she should be able to and systems need to be in place to help her. But I think we should also respect those who wish to stay at home.

[babyno1onboard]

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Ignore, ignore these articles!

[SSecret Squirrel]

Government wants women back at work in what jobs exactly? I seriously doubt the jobs are out there for every SAHM to go back to work tomorrow.

As a SAHM I was involved in numerous organisations in a volunteer capacity. Schools are crying out for parents to help out with out reading etc. I bet no one costed the value of volunteer labour SAHMS perform, when calculating this drain on the economy.

I agree wholeheartedly on breastfeeding as well. It is pushed as having better outcomes on a population level (disclaimer, obviously individual experiences will vary and I'm not in anyway saying formula is bad). Mums going back to work early is an impediment to breastfeeding. I can pretty well guarantee that if I had of gone back to work while I was breastfeeding, I would have switched to formula quick smart. There is no way I would have had to the inclination to pump day while at work.

[SuperGranny]

I agree, it is best to just ignore this. I felt annoyed by the article, and I am not in the group of mothers with small children, and dealing with child care fees. It is not a fair comment at all. Yes the employment numbers are not wonderful, but the over paid CEOs are sending the jobs overseas, and there is not any industries left here. marie.

[Elijahs Mum]

I honestly think we helped the economy when I was a SAHM with all the lunches and cafes and infant/baby activities and shopping we did!

[babybeeno1]

What wankers they are. I mean if we put our kids on daycare and go to work we pay massive fees for that and literally end up taking much home at all or we stay home and not pay fees therefore no child care rebate is being paid to us.

If I was at work yesterday daycare would of been $75 out of pocket for me I would of earnt $172 less tax and then I wouldn't of bought my lunch at the local cafe at the beach and not contribute to their small business. And those hours I'm not being paid for at work someone else is beog paid keeping them employed

Damned if we do and damned if we don't

[Skye Baby]

And don't get me started on breastfeeding rates - WHO encourage women to feed for 12 months yet the government want us back at work asap.

The WHO actually recommend two years and beyond for breastfeeding. I belive the medical profession in Australia say 12 month as our rates are so low and it might be a bit too daunting for mums been recommend two years.

I can't read the article as it is asking me to subcribe.

[babynomad]

This made my blood literally boil !! They are always having a go at us mums , dividing us against each other in some way . Telling us we are lazy when we are actually the bloody backbone of society . We love our kids , we try to raise good little people , we instill confidence in them , we volunteer , we never fricking sleep ..... argggh !!!!!
And they said mums not parents , there is no mention of stay at home Dads being a drain. This is just another go at mums. I love being at home and I volunteer on our kindy committee , we get no child support , we pay our taxes and this was what we both wanted for me to stay home with our kids until the youngest went to school . I worked for years , long hrs not getting home until 8 sometimes , every weekend also before kids .

I'm trying to ignore it but its such a kick in the teeth .