Pre-reading: Managing Parenting & Caring Responsibilities

Preparations for becoming a parent or carer There are a multitude of responsibilities parents and carers are accountable for. The responsibilities need to be managed to ensure the parenting and caring process is effective.

PHYSICAL PREPARATION

Parents and carers should ensure they are physically healthy, fit and energetic enough to cope with the new responsibilities they will face. The body physically is of major importance for women planning to conceive. There are numerous prenatal considerations a woman must make regarding her physical health and that of the baby. Some are:

Going to the doctor

Taking folic acid

Choosing birth options

Avoid smoking & alcohol

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle

Antenatal visits Physical preparation is not restricted to mothers to be. Fathers also need to prepare themselves physically to enhance fertility and minimize health concerns for their baby. They too should avoid smoking, drinking excessive alcohol and taking drugs. They should maintain a healthy lifestyle by eating appropriate foods, exercising frequently and minimising stress where possible.

SOCIAL CHANGES PARENTS & CARERS MAY HAVE TO TAKE

Once a baby or child comes into a family, there are many social changes that take place. The parent who cares for the child at home may feel isolated, as they are not stimulated by people of their own intellectual capacity during the day. They may miss the social contact with work colleagues and friends. Friends may also change as activities are more likely to involve other families with children. Most couples share the parenting responsibilities to allow each other some time out to enjoy social, leisure and sporting activities. These should be negotiated before the birth to prevent later problems. Caring may cause frustration and distress, and affect family relationships. This is because of the amount of time that the caring role demands. There may also be insufficient time available for social relationships associated with employment and leisure activities. It is important that carers maintain social contact with people other than the dependant or they may feel socially isolated. It is important for parents and carers to maintain a healthy level of social existence. Relationships should be worked upon through effective communication, friendships should be maintained and social activities should be experienced

EMOTIONAL PREPARATIONS FOR THE NEW RELATIONSHIPS

Individuals often experience a roller coaster of emotions when they are about to become a parent or carer. It is important for a couple to make time for each other and maintain their emotional relationship, perhaps when the baby is asleep or when care can be arranged. The couple should enjoy each other’s company and not concentrate solely on the baby. Anxiety about the birth and the ability to cope, and concerns about the baby’s health are all normal parts of pregnancy. The mother’s partner may feel neglected as she receives most of the attention. He also has to deal with the changing emotional moods of his partner. Siblings can also feel neglected, so parents need to include them in the pregnancy. They may feel jealous and insecure about sharing their parents with the new baby and will need reassurance. It is important for parents to spend time with them after the birth to explain the new family situation and assist older children to adjust to the new relationships.

ECONOMIC PREPARATIONS

Parents and carers will experience a loss of income as the mother leaves work when the baby is born. Along with the loss of income, there will be numerous other costs associated with the baby in terms of food, shelter, comfort and stimulation. These costs need to be planned for and, if necessary, budgeted for. Other financial considerations include the following:

Health insurance

Government allowances.

Essential baby costs