1. HPC 3O Parenting Deciding to Parent Source: Cunningham, Mary K., Eva Meriorg, Laura Tryssenaar. 2003. Parenting in Canada. Toronto: Thomson Nelson.

2. Why Decide to Parent? To nurture a new generation

3. Parental Leave In 2001 federal government changed policy Parental leave available for one full year Can be divided between parents or taken by one parent

4. Commitment Continues after child grows up Financial support: schooling, business and household start-up, debt repayment Emotional support: encouragement, advice, listening Adult children sometimes return home: unemployment, divorce, illness, drug rehabilitation

5. Making the Decision to Parent Even if a child is unplanned, the arrival is a result of CHOICES To have sexual relations – the only method of birth control that is 100% effective is abstinence Abortion Adoption

6. Informed Decision Making Weigh the advantages, disadvantages, and consequences of becoming a parent Remember every situation is different Making an informed decision, is usually a good decision

7. Informed Decision Making Consider what you want to do in your life prior to children Travel Education Expensive hobbies Save money

8. A Decision Web Am I ready to be a parent now? Do we have the right skills and attitudes? Do we have the time and energy? How do our families and friends feel about children? Do we enjoy being with children? Are we physically and emotionally ready? Can we afford a child? Will my partner share the responsibility?

9. Factors Influencing the Decision to Parent Social and Cultural Influences Before becoming a parenting Canada, youth is pressured to stay in school get a reliable income establish a strong relationship before becoming a parent

10. Factors Influencing the Decision to Parent Education Learning opportunities in many areas – including parenting Higher education opens doors to more interesting and higher paying jobs Longer a person stays in school the less likely they are to experience unemployment

11. Factors Influencing the Decision to Parent Finances Financial problems can strain single parents and couples Can effect parent-child relationship Being a parent means more time away from paid work and more expenses

12. Factors Influencing the Decision to Parent Parenting Partnership Advantages: –If one parent is tired or ill, the other can take over –Children can see more than one perspective –Children learn communication skills by watching their parents

13. Factors Influencing the Decision to Parent Personal Maturity Emotionally and intellectually mature people tend to be considerate, respectful, and responsible Able to establish healthy family atmosphere

14. Factors Influencing the Decision to Parent Age Women are most fertile between mid-twenties and mid-thirties Before 19, the body is still growing, so women compete with growing fetus for nutrients Complications and birth defects higher for women older than mid- thirties or in teen years For men, the production and quality of sperm deteriorates with age

15. Factors Influencing the Decision to Parent Health Physical and mental health important because pregnancy and child rearing are stressful Substance use and abuse can effect child’s growth – even before conception Consider inherited diseases and birth defects that may be passed onto children

16. Factors Influencing the Decision to Parent Life Experience Difficult experiences in life – such as abuse, incest, or buried anger – need to be addressed before having children People tend to imitate their parent’s parenting styles

17. How will life change if I become a parent?

18. Lifestyle Changes Babies determine how life is lived: –Eat when hungry –Awaken to be fed or changed throughout night –Teething –Bed-wetting –Colds, fevers –Nightmares –Equipment spilling into every room – toys, diapers, bedding, clothing…

19. Lifestyle Changes How will life change? –Serious upheaval for couples –Time to be alone –Personal interests –Intimacy –Privacy Couples who have thought about and planned for parenting are often able to face this stressful time more successfully than those who have not.

20. Pleasures of Parenthood

22. Advantages of Delaying Parenthood Complete education Begin careers Get relationships off to a good start

23. Disadvantages of Delaying Parenting Your biological clock is ticking! Optimal childbearing years do not last forever In late 40s men’s production of sperm is reduced Younger parents are more energetic Infertility may be the result of delaying parenting for too long Medical intervention is stressful, expensive, and has a high failure rate

24. Remaining Childless Focus on other aspects of life Take pleasure in caring for other people

25. Adoption Not as many children available for adoption because many young mothers keep their children or terminate their pregnancy Many families look to overseas adoption – which can be expensive

26. Questions Community Circle: Share with the class three goals or dreams that you want to accomplish before having a child (or another child). Describe two life goals you want to share with children. What are the advantages and disadvantages of delaying parenthood?

27. Responsibilities of Parenthood Parents are responsible for how their children act in public Ensure they get along with and respect others Learn right and wrong Parents are continually modeling behaviour to their children

28. Challenges For Working Parents Meal Planning Takes time to shop and prepare healthy meals Processed and packaged foods are easier to prepare, but poor in nutrients and high in calories and fat Get children involved in food preparation

29. Challenges For Working Parents Time Management Establish routines: –Morning activities: brushing teeth, breakfast, getting dressed, etc. –Schedule parent-child time after school on a regular basis –Plan for family time each weekend

30. Challenges For Working Parents Caring for a Sick Child Most child-care places refuse to take sick children May need to take time off work when children are ill – or arrange for alternate childcare, i.e.: neighbours, or family members

31. Challenges For Working Parents Before and After School Child Care Working parents will need to arrange care for their children until they are either 10 or 12 years old Options: –Community Programs Local schools, churches, or community centers may offer child-care that costs less than full time child-care –School-Age Child-Care Programs Child-care centers may offer after-school programs if children can get there safely May be offered at school –Family Home Child Care Often offered by a stay-at-home-parent with child of a similar age Not usually provincially approved

32. Review Community Circle: Describe three to five life experiences that you have had that will affect how you will parent in the future.

33. Video Teen Epidemic Part 1 Teen Epidemic Part 2 Teen Epidemic Part 3 Teen Epidemic Part 4 Teen Epidemic Part 5 Teen Epidemic Part 6 Teen Epidemic Part 7