Parenting and caring

Slide 1

The roles of parents and carers
Satisfying the specific needs of the dependent Parents are expected to provide their dependant with food, clothing, and shelter. Food should be wholesome, fresh, nutrious and appriopriate to the developemental stage and energy on the output of the dependant    Clothing needs to be regualry laundered, and dependants may show an interest in the type of clothing shown. These choices may positively impact on sense of identity on the dependant   They may also administer basic first - aid and provide support for their dependant to meet other health needs through engaging in medical personnnel.   

Slide 2

Building a positive relationship with the dependant
  A positive relationship is where both people grow as a result of their interaction. In parenting, the responsibility lies within the parent. This can be shown through love, bonding, affection, understanding and patience   it is also important to help children develop self- discipline and maturity through taking om age - appropriate responsibilities. Parents need to model appropriate behaviuor with others, as well as skills in relationships.    it can be diificult when the dependant is formerly of an equal or higher status, such as in case pf a spouse or a parent becoming a dependant. As roles change, so do the responsibilites and relationships 

Slide 3

Changing health behaviours
Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet of whole foods and develop an awareness of special needs during pregnancy, such as avoiding foods with the listeria bacteria   attending regualr appointments with a GP, obstertician or midwife to monitor the baby's growth and developmennt and undertake ultra sounds and other tests as required   increasing folic acid intake and during pregnancy, usually a supplement in consultation with a General Practitioner 

Slide 4

Organising finances
Becoming a parent or carer comes with a vast array of financial considerations. Budgeting needs to take place in order for parents and carers to be financially prepared for the dependant.    Parents and carers may need to consider building up their savings to help provide them with some relief while they are off work caring for the dependent. These savings may be used for the arrival of the dependant or for the day to day costs of living such as paying mortage, paying bills or buying food.    These support payments can come in the form of emplooyer - paid maternity/paternity leave or from the Australian Government's Department of Human Services via Centrelink 

Slide 5

Modifying the physical environment
Modifying the environment includes modified housing, amenities and equipment. Parents and carers may need to assess their current housing arrangements to cater for futrue dependants.   Within homes amentities may need to be altered to cater for the needs of the dependent. For exampe, changing faciltiies and playing areas that will be required for babies; rails ramps and non - slipping flooring may need to be put in place for aged individuals.   For other dependants babies, carers will need to find places to safely store wheelchairs and walking frames or other specialisesed equipment

Slide 6

Enhancing knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills include educationn, information and trainig. Parents can enhance their skillls through education and training offered by both informal and formal groups and resources. Training and education can begin with prenatal and postnatal clsses with midwives in hospitals, online courses health workshops and in private settings.    It is essential that parents choose valid and reliable sources from which enhance their knowledge and skills. Parents need to be wary of the many social media online forums that sometimes provide inaccurate and unprofessional advice about parenting.

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Factors affecting the roles of parents and
Characteristics of the dependant Age - the age and maturity of the dependent will determine their specific needs. A young child requires great assistance and support to satisfy the needs for food, clothing and shelter.  A positive relationship occurs when the dependant and parent or carer feel a bond to trust and openness and there is an effective communication and supportive relationships. Regardless of the dependants age the parent or carer should be working to build a positive relationship supporting the needs of the dependant    

Slide 8

Skills and Capabilities
The skills and capabilities of the dependent will influence the role of the parent or carer. An adolescent may contribute to meeting their health needs by participating in physical activity, preparing and eating a range of fresh food. Also, researching and and completing homework independently can satisfys their educational needs. ​​​​​​​   In a childcare situation, the skills and capabilities of the children in care would affect the roles of the childcare worker. For example, they may be required to change the nappies of babies and infants or assissting with toileting of preschoolers. Childcare workers would have to modify the delivery of certain educational programs and activites according to the skills and capabilties of the children in their child care. 

Slide 9

Special needs
Promoting wellbeing is especially important for those with special needs. A dependant may require more physical and emotional support in everyday activities. For example, when the dependant is a spouse (for example, has dementia) the relationship between husband and wife changes to that of the carer and the dependant   A positive relationship may be easier to build in case where more time is needed for activities of daily living such as hygiene, medication, feeding or mobility needs. Although, difficulties in communication may impact on the ability to build a positive relationship. For example, a child with autism or an aged parent who has had a stroke, disabilties and frustrations associated with such situaions could lead to adherse behaviours. 

Slide 10

The impact of legal, social and technological change on social parents
Adoption - Legal legislation  The change is permanent and biological parents/ are only allowed information and contact with Family court permission.  all legal rights and responsibilities are transferred from the birht parents to adoptive parents; a child's amended birth certificate is clearly relected on it Social community beliefs and attidues  Government support for single parents through the Sole Parent payment, as well as sole parenting being more socially accepted, means less adoption.  acknowledgement that adoption is generally not accepted within Aboriginal communties and is differently arranged within Torres Strait Islander communities; placement within the kinship group is considered. Technological (reproductive technology) Improvements in reproductive technologies may have impacted on the number of children that are avaliable for adoption  Medical and health information on biological parents is made avaliable so that health conditions could be inherited and are becoming more visible.

Slide 11

Fostering
Fostering - Legal implications  apply with non - goverment agencies; there are more than 40 accredited agencies in new south wales  child and youth Persons ( Care and Protection ) Act 1998 NSW carers have certain rights and responsibilties  Social community beliefs and attiudes Creating cultural connections between children and the foster family, enables families to feel that they are giving back to the community  avaliable support for foster parents may mean more families are willing to explore the taking on foster children  Technological ( reproductive technology )  Social media and technology such as skype, makes it easier for children and parents to stay connected while the children are in foster care  positive stories on fostering in the media and on the internet may improve the negative stigma surrounding foster children

Slide 12

Step - parenting
Step parenting - legal implications  Can apply to the Family Court for a parenting order through the Federal Magistrate court. Medical authorities may consult a step - parent if neither biological parent is avaliable Child's name may be changed to that of a step - parent, pending on permission from a non - custodial parent   Social community beliefs and attiudes Conflict between children and step - parents is apparent, especially in older children.    Traditions of the family and new step - parent may cause unwanted stress and tension amongst the family  Technology ( reproductive tedchnology )  Issues could arise from couples who are trying to concieve a child; they may need to turn to birth technologies, especially if they are an older couple issues around conflicting views on discipline boundaries and rules with respect to technology may be apparent 

Slide 13

Surrogacy
Surrogacy - legal implications  In Western Australia and South Australia, single people and same sex - couples are banned from using surrrogaacy Many couples have travelled to india and Thailand to undergo commercial surrogacy  Community beleifs and attiudes  Many religions are still against any form of intervention with natural conception  People within the community are concerned by the fact that, in some Australian states, IVF is not avaliable for gay couples Tehcnolody ( reproductive technology ) Issues of 'social infertility', some women choose to freeze their eggs in the hope that they will find a suitable partner, if natural conception is not achieved, the frozen eggs may be used instead 

Slide 14

Styles of Parenting
Authoritarian  The authoritarian style characteristics a demanding and inflexible parent or carer who usually has a preconcieved goal to be achieved. This parennt or carer often expects obedience, and dependants have little input into decisions that may affect them. The authotarian may have predetermined ideas about the best way to meet the specific need of the dependant  Democratic  The democratic parenting or caring style invites all members to have a say in the decisions. Dependants feels appreciated, espcially when their ideas form part of the total solution. They are more likely to build a respectful and positive relationship with their parents or carers, as time spent together is valued and each member is affirmed. Indulgent  The permissive indulgent style of parenting is characterised by excessive leniency. A dependant may ask permission to be involved in an acvitity and the parent or carer is likely to agree. Although thr dependant may get their way, or lack respect from the parent or carer becuase of their opposition on an original setting. Neglient  Negliegence can occur in a variety of ways. It may be physical, where insufficient food is avaliable, due to gambling or substance abuse issue. Parents and carers are responsible for meeting a variety of needs for their dependant, and it does not occur with negliegent parenting and caring. Basic needs such as health, safety and security, may not be met which can lead to severe consequences.      

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