Working with Children Unit I Child Development I Parenting Readiness Working with Children Unit I Child Development I

Preparation for Parenthood Page 33 Parenting is the process of caring for children and helping them grow and develop. Being a parent is one of the most important roles a person has in life. Anyone who lives or works with children can benefit from knowing about child development and parenting.

Preparation for Parenthood Parenting impacts individuals, families, and societies. Requires knowing and understanding a child’s needs and then meeting those needs. Requires good judgment.

Having Reasonable Expectations Page 34 Adults need to know what to expect from children at different ages. Remember that each child is an individual. Accept and respect differences amont children.

Emotional Maturing Page 35 Means being responsible enough to consistently put someone else’s needs before your own needs. Prospective parents should ask themselves if they are truly equipped to handle the challenges of parenthood. If there are doubts, they should wait until they have the emotional maturity to raise a child.

Health Considerations Page 35 Before pregnancy, both parents should get a medical checkup. If the mother is under 17 or over 35, pregnancy is riskier for both her and the baby.

Financial Concerns Page 36 Children and expensive!! Couples should consider the cost of having a child in the first year and they years to come. Couples may have to change their way of life in order to meet these expenses.

Resource Management Skills Page 36-37 Parents need to be wise with money, time, skills, and energy. Five key steps to good resource management: Set goals Identify Resources Make a plan Put the plan into action Re-evaluate from time to time

Parenting Skills Page 37 Parenting can be learned through: Classes in child development and parenting. reading reliable books, magazine articles, and online info about parenting. Gaining experience working or caring for children. Asking advice of family and friends with experience. Observing other parents and children whenever and wherever possible.

Lifestyle Changes Page 39 Caring for a child takes a huge amount of time and energy Parents: Need to adjust to major changes in their daily lives. have limits placed on their personal freedom. Parents are better able to adjust to changes if they prepare for them!

Emotional Adjustments Page 40 Many parents feel conflicting, and sometimes difficult, emotions, such as: Fear of not being a food parent. Frustration at the loss of personal freedom and the addition of new responsibilities. Worry over money matters. Jealousy of the baby and the attention he or she gets from the other parent, friends, and relatives. Depression due to exhaustion and the physical changes of pregnancy and birth.

Relationship Changes Page 40 Parents may: feel overwhelmed by concerns, negative emotions, and lack of sleep. argue with one another. *Parents need patience, understanding and to communicate effectively. *A new baby changes the relationship between the new parents and their own parents.

Employment Adjustments Page 41 Children can have an impact on careers. Parents may stop working or cut back on hours. Parents may decide to change their careers. Some employers have policies to help working parents, such as: Flexible hours Part-time work Work-at-home options Childcare facilities at or near work

Legal Responsibilities Page 41 Mothers and fathers are legally responsible to provide food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and education and legal help for their children. Parents must legally support a child until the child turns 18.