Common Parenting Concerns and Solutions for a Difficult Economy
By Bridget Barnes
Boys Town, Common Sense Parenting Coordinator
How is the economy affecting your parenting approach?
The Common Sense Parenting Program (CSP) shares how parents feel about the changes in their family's finances and its effects on their parenting style. The three major changes parents share when it comes to economic stressors and parenting are: parental roles, spending habits and health-care support.
Daddy Day-Care
Many fathers in our CSP classes have experienced being laid off from work. Many of the dads are staying home to care for their children in order to save money. Fathers say they realize they must learn how to parent their children not just yell or ignore them. One dad said, it was weird to hear the words, "Wait, until your mother gets home" coming out of his mouth.
Regardless, of who is working or staying at home make sure you're both on the same page when it comes to parenting children. The one free gift parents can give to their children is to care for them and teach them right from wrong. For the dad who is "home alone" with the kids and wants to seriously improve his parenting skills try attending our Common Sense Parenting classes and get a night off from the kids while learning some valuable parenting information.
The Money Tree
Another area of concern for most parents these days is how to make ends meet. Parents agree that their kids continue to demand to live as if there is a money tree in their backyards. A good way to help children understand about money is to make them part of certain financial family decisions. For example, have kids help plan visits, daily errands, and special events so things get done in one or two car trips versus six or seven. This can reduce the money spent of gas and increase the dollars spent on having fun together. Remember, when kids are a part of decision making they are more likely to follow the rules agreed upon.
Health Care Horror Story
Parents in our classes say their biggest financial concern is the emotional and mental health-care needs of their children. If you thought getting your child a physical check-up is a problem in today's economy, asks any parent with a child who has an emotional or mental disorder whether they can afford to pay what insurance will not. The answer is simply no. There is no easy answer for any parent when health-care is involved. Perhaps, the key for children with special needs is to indentify supports like respite care, in-home intervention, or educational mentor, financial pharmaceutical support, etc., some may cost money but parents may be able to get assistance. Parent also need to rely on friends, family, their church and school for support. It's also important to know your child’s legal rights are and how to exercise them without alienating the people you need to assist you. The Boys Town National Hotline may be the first step towards finding resources in your community. (1-800-448-3000)
If you would like more information about joining a Common Sense Parenting® class, please visit www.boystown.org or call 402.498.1059.
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Difficult economic times can put extraordinary strains on families – not only on budgets but on relationships as well. Boys Town Press offers a wide array of boosk, CDs and DVDS to show parents how to help their children develop good values and healthy relationships. Visit www.boystownpress.org to find the resources you need.
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