Tired of child care being a financial volleyball
Penticton Herald
January 30, 2007
Opinion -- By: Myrna Tischer

Dear Editor,

I seem to recall the federal government's argument for opting to support child care in this country by providing parents $100 per month per child under the age of six was to allow parents the opportunity to choose what kind of child care they wanted.

This is a noble cause and in an ideal world this money would go toward the nurturing care of children in their developmental years whether in the home, with a family member or a quality family or group child care environment. I would like to explore the choice in this subject.

First of all, I take issue with funds that are intended to support children when parents can actually spend it on cigarettes and beer if they choose.

Secondly, this so-called support has now resulted in a cut to provincial funding for child care which will result in fewer child care spaces, rising fees and a profound decrease in choice for families.

It would be nice to think parents could stay home with their children if they choose but that is not a reality for most people.

We are in the midst of an economic boom.

We have more people leaving the work force than are entering and employers are scrambling to fill staffing needs. The cost of living is on a steady increase and the dream of owning a home with a yard and a dog is becoming a fantasy for many young families.

The reality is parents need to work. Without quality child care that is accessible and affordable, the ability to successfully work and support a family is compromised.

We already have a shortage in available child care spaces and quality early childhood development programs.

What choice does that leave parents with? Will more children be left in unsafe situations? Will we have an increase in latchkey kids or the further breakdown of the family unit as parents try to cope? Will fewer couples choose to have children at all?

From an economic perspective, statistics on aging already show an unprecedented gap in increases in the proportion of older people to young people. Who will be there to look after us in our old age?

I am so tired of the financial volleyball being tossed back and forth between provincial and federal governments on this issue. Promises for a national child care policy have been made repeatedly for decades.

When are we going to stand up and have the fortitude to truly value our children? I encourage parents to share their stories with those in a position to make a difference. Maybe one day, someone will listen.