CAFS (Parenting And Caring Flashcards
TYPES OF PARENTS AND CARERS:
Definition Of Biological Parents
= the father and the mother whose DNA a child carries. Can be through IVF or natural birth
Social Parents
= One who has parental responsibilities for a child they dont share a genetic relationship with.
- Adoption
- Fostering
- Step-parenting
- Surrogacy
Adoption
=process where a parents rights and obligations towards their child are terminated and the adoptive parents resume these.
-Family and community services is the agency handling this procedure
-Adoption may be open (information is shared between adoptive and birth families)
-5 categories:
-Local adoption, permanent care, intercountry adoption, interfamily adoption and out of home care adoption
Fostering
= children/childs family is unable to care for a child and the child is placed with foster parents to temporarily care for the child.
-May require fostering if:
they are at risk of harm, home is unsafe due to domestic violence, abuse, parents in jail etc.
Step parenting
= when a new relationship is formed and one or both partners has children. The new parents become a step parent. (blended family)
-becomes step parent when they enter defacto relationship or are married to someone with a child.
-can take time for children to bond with step parents due to new family dynamic
Surrogacy
=an arrangement for a woman to become pregnant and give birth for another couple or single person, with the intention of giving that child back to the couple/person once born.
-Gestational surrogacy=no genetic contribution to the child they are carrying (most common)
-Traditional surrogacy= surrogate provides the egg, so she has genetic contribution to the child carried.
Definition of Carers
=people who provide voluntary or professional support/ ongoing care for individuals require full time or part time assistance.
-2.6 million carers. Female= more likely (12.3%)
1.Primary carers
2. informal and formal carers
Primary carers
=the person who provides the majority of informal assistance and support to a dependent or who have a disability.
-Usually have relation to the dependant
-850,000 young carers provide primary care for relatives with long term medical conditions, disability or addiction.
Benefits:
-carer bonus, carer allowance given in some circumstances
spend time with family in their final years
-Satisfaction of providing the person they’re caring for a better quality of life
Challenges:
-hard to care with funds government provides - reliant on bonuses
-lifestyle/self-sacrificing (socialising - relationships)
-lose self - “don’t know who I am”
-feel socially isolated
-physically debilitating/draining
Informal and formal carers
Informal:
=provides care to others who need help or support due to disability, health conditions etc
-reasons for taking on the role:
1. sense of responsibility
2.emotional obligation
Formal:
=trained care providers who work for professional organisations or institutions and are paid for the care, services and support they provide.
-Eg teachers, nanny, nurse etc
THE ROLES OF PARENTS AND CARERS:
Dot Points
- Saisifying Specific Needs
- Building Positive Relationships
- Promoting Wellbeing Of Dependant
Satisfying The Specific Needs Of The Dependent
1) Safety and security= showing their dependent understanding, love and support (develop security)
2) Health= contribution of basic health needs (food/clothing)
2) Education= intellectual, socialemotional development takes place before the child begins formal education
3) Sense of identity = loving home/family, providing strong sense of identity/belonging
4) Employment = not necesssry until later in life
5) Adequate Standard Of Living = provide dependant with food, clothing, shelter e.g appropiate housing (meet safety/security) or clothing regularly laundered
Building Positive Relationships
= both parties grow as a result of their interactions
- Parent/carer = hold responsibility
- Positive relationships build social/emotional wellbeing
- Carers can help dependant by providing assistance but still allow opportunity for independence (speaking at same eye-level/ using appropriate care)
Positive relationships developed through:
- prioritising time
- showing genuine interest in child
- modelling behaviour
- sharing interests
Promoting Wellbeing Of Dependant
= degree of satisfaction achieved by individuals/groups and is affected by how well needs are met
- enhanced through meeting specific needs of child/dependant (develop positive relationship)
- parents/carers provide opportunities to foster, develop and support aspects of dependant
Aspects Of Wellbeing: social, emotional, physical, cultural, spiritual, economic
Preparation for becoming a parent or carer
▪ changing health behaviours, eg nutrition,
physical activity, social or spiritual connections
▪ enhancing knowledge and skills, eg education,
information, training
▪ modifying the physical environment, eg
housing, amenities, equipment
▪ organising finances, eg budgeting, saving,
support payments
Changing health behaviours
Parents
Parents need to make positive active choices for their nutrition, physical activity, social and spiritual connections to conceive a baby and during pregnancy
This includes
Balanced diet and whole foods
Folic acid, iodine, iron, zinc
Reduce caffeine
No alcohol, tobacco, soft cheese or shellfish
Seek medical advice, eg. fish, medicines
Carers
Healthy food habits for them and the dependant
Physical activity for themself and suitable for dependant
Inquire into support groups, play centres, church groups
Relaxation techniques, meditation
Social changes parents and carers need to make
Change social engagements - going on child friendly outings or by taking people being cared for, eg. picnics, community gatherings
Free time may be important, as time out is essential to wellbeing. Respite care or family or friends could assist in this area
enhancing knowledge and skills
Knowledge and skills include education, information and training
Parents can enhance their knowledge and skills through education and training offered by both formal and informal groups and resources
Education and training can begin with prenatal and postnatal classes with midwives in hospitals, online courses, health services, workshops and doulas (professional labor assistant) or in a private setting
Information can be gained by seeking resources from reputable professionals, reading reliable parenting books, parenting groups in social media platforms and exploring websites
Carers may engage in education and training through different organisations and government agencies, eg. online training
modifying the physical environment
Includes modifying housing, amenities and equipment
Parents and carers may need to alter their current housing arrangements to cater for future dependants. Parents could move from a one-bedroom or studio apartment to a unit or house with two bedrooms
Carers may need to consider the living arrangements of their family to help prepare for the dependant
Within homes, amenities may need to be altered to cater for the needs of the dependant
Eg. change facilities and play areas will be required for babies, rails, ramps and non-slip flooring may need to be installed for aged individuals
Equipment needed for parents includes cots, baths, safety gates, highchairs
Equipment needed for carers includes a place to store wheelchairs, walking frames or other specialised equipment
organising finances
includes budgeting, saving and setting up support payments
Budgeting needs to take place in order for parents and carers to be financially prepared for the arrival of the dependant
Potential costs of obstetrician, hospitals, other medical expenses, equipment, clothing, nappies, and other costs related to having a child
Carers need to discuss the potential costs of modifying the environment, of education and training, of specialised equipment and other ongoing expenses
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 dependant
The high cost associated with a dependant means that parents and carers benefit from support payments. These support payments can come in the form of employer-paid maternity/paternity leave or from the Australian Government’s Department of Human Services via Centrelink
Eg parental leave pay, family tax benefit, child care subsidy, carer payment, carer allowance, dad and partner pay
Factors Affecting The Roles Of Parents/Carers Dot Point
- Age
- Skills/Capabilities
- Special Needs e.g illness, disabilities
Age
Pre-natal:
Prepare for the child (C.O.M.E)
Infant (birth-2 years):
Needs to be properly supervised
Fed, help with sleep
Parent/carer (p/c) are heavily relied on
Huge cognitive development → p/c need to model positive behaviour
Ensure playtime for social development
Early childhood (3-5 years):
Develop social skills → enhance social wellbeing
Help to read/write
Assist with going to the toilet independently
Developmental milestones → positive role models
Develop positive sense of self
May start early education
Middle-late childhood (6-12 years):
Primary school
Day-to-day interventions of p/c may decrease slightly → becoming more independent
Self-regulation skills
Adolescence (13-18 years):
Years of puberty
Less reliance on parents
Relationship with p/c becomes more like a friendship → trust them with issues, help guide you
Adulthood:
Dependent may move into parenting/caring roles
Parents may assist in upbringing of your child
Older dependent may assist in caring for elderly parents
Skills/Capabilities
Parents:
Will need to have an input on decision-making skills if not evident, e.g. diet and exercise choices
Will need to teach the dependent to drive
Can encourage self-regulation through setting daily goals, e.g. chores, homework
Carers:
Formal carers may spend time developing social skills
Carers may help to encourage independence if possible
Carers must promote wellbeing and sense of identity
Special Needs e.g illness, disabilities
P/c may need to use respite care
Gifted children need opportunities for educational extension
Ill children need further access to healthcare and medical appointments, which may affect the p/c’s ability to work
Children who are born with a disability may require expert formal types of care to assist with day-to-day living
*End goal always is promotion of wellbeing
Influences On Parents/Carers
Culture, Customs And Tradition
- Culture may impact on the parenting style, choices in child care/elder care arrangements and gender roles
- Many people are born into a culture in which beliefs and customs are passed down from one generation to another
-Grandparents pay a significant part in passing down customs- Language barriers and lack of information for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) impact care choices
-People from different cultures have different relationships with their children
Eg. some cultures expect children to be quiet and always respect their elders, while other cultures encourage children to speak up and be independent
- Language barriers and lack of information for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) impact care choices
Religion/Spirituality
- Religion shapes parenting style, beliefs, and worldview.
- Influences choices on medicine, diet, modesty, and healthcare.
- Can inspire caregiving due to moral teachings.
- Carers must respect dependants’ faith and values.
Shared or well-understood faith strengthens bonds.
Example: Montefiore Home trains staff in Judaism.
Affects education, social activities, charity, and finances.
Education
- Poor parental education links to low socioeconomic status.
- Educated parents secure better jobs, ensuring financial stability and healthcare.
- Training improves carers’ ability to support dependants.
- Education helps parents/carers manage responsibilities and access support.
- Formal training enhances care quality (e.g., experienced babysitters ensure safety).
Previous Experience
- Parenting or caring may be modified because of evolving practices or experiences of being a parent or carer
- Parents who have not had any children before are less likely to be knowledgeable about how to raise their own 🡪 causing them to overreact or underreact about things, which could be a negative influence on the child
- Carers who have been in their profession for some time and have experience in caring for their dependents 🡪 allowing them to be more in tune with understanding what their dependents want from them )creating a more positive caring experience)
Eg. after a first child is born parents will have had crucial learning experiences that will impact on their parenting of future children
Own Upbringing
= Put their own set of values that their parents had put on them/reflect on them when they were younger, then they carry this into their parenting or caring
- The way in which people are raised will influence the way they parent
- If a person is positive about family life and shared family experiences, they are likely to try and repeat the experience for their children
- Conversely, a negative experience in family life may lead the parent to adopt other goals and values to create a different experience
Multiple Commitments e.g work, study, sport, family
- Parents may enrol their child in extracurricular activities or use paid carers to supervise their child while they work 🡪 may have a negative effect on the parent/child relationship from lack of bonding
- Carers may try to involve family members or use formal supports, such as respite and community transport 🡪 may have positive effect on the carer/dependant relationship as the carer has time to recharge and give the most to the dependant when they return
- The amount of time and energy these pursuits take can affect the quality of relationships with dependants
Eg. if informal care is unavailable, children are likely to attend long day care rather than pre-school, which has shorter hours
Eg. a parent who coaches a junior soccer team will need to liaise with other coaches/players, attend training/games and committee meetings each month
Carrying out multiple roles can be beneficial:
Eg. a parent who plays in a sports team may have more energy and be refreshed
Can cause conflict:
Eg. working parent needs to stay home to look after a sick child
Strategies to assist parents and carers to manage their multiple commitments
- Modifying work hours or taking shift work to better fit the family schedule
- Call on others to help assist with multiple tasks e.g. other family, neighbours (informal support)
- “merging time”, most effectively by multitasking
- men should be implored to take on caring roles more and start to contribute as much as mothers do to parenting
- childcare arrangements such as childcare centre, nanny - provides children with greater social opportunities
- Parents studying in university may take up online - enhances the dependent’s emotional wellbeing being able to be with their child
Socioeconomic Status
- Higher SES allows parents to afford team sports, promoting friendships, physical health, and social-emotional wellbeing.
- SES is influenced by income, occupation, education, and location, shaping parenting and caring roles.
- High-income parents may work long hours, relying on nannies for daily childcare.
- Many primary carers have low incomes, limiting access to private healthcare.
- Wealthy families may opt for high-end nursing homes, sometimes causing dependants to feel isolated.
Special Needs e.g illness, disability
Special needs can include illness, disability, giftedness, or allergies.
-A close bond from spending quality time can enhance the parenting/caring role.
-Disabilities may create communication barriers and affect autonomy in relationships.
-Caring for special needs requires planning, flexibility, empathy, and effort.
-Constant medical care or supervision demands time and resources.
-Dependence in a relationship can create strain and stress.
Social Dot Points
- Community attitudes
- Gender expectations
- Media stereotpyes
Community Attitudes
=Reflect the prevailing norms and values of people in a specific area
-The ‘norms’ of the area
-Norms include behaviors, dress codes, education methods, and acceptable activities
-Community attitude is that government funding should be directed towards health, childcare etc. however not enough is provided (e.g. carer numbers insufficient)
Examples:
Breastfeeding in public.
Vaccinating children.
homeschooling children
Gender Expectations
=Society shapes roles based on gender and stereotypes, though many are breaking away from these traditional roles.
-Culture and past experiences may influence adherence to gender norms.
-Flexible gender roles in parenting and caregiving can lead to less conflict and better cooperation.
-Examples:
-Majority of caregivers in nursing, teaching, and social welfare are female, reinforcing traditional stereotypes.
-Historically, mothers were responsible for caregiving, while fathers were the providers and disciplinarians.
Media Stereotypes
=The media shapes behaviors and opinions, often reinforcing traditional roles.
-Example: Australian TV dramas depict mothers and fathers in traditional roles.
-These messages are often subtle, and many parents and carers may not realize they’re being influenced.
-Sometimes, media messages align with personal values, but other times, they challenge values and can negatively impact viewers.
-Advertising and tv shows more often than not depict females in nursing/caring job ads and males in trade and corporate roles
-Dramas often depict mothers and fathers in traditional gender roles
Examples:
- Dad cooking the BBQ
- Mother cleaning (cleaning product ads)
- Men predominantly in car shop ads
Styles of parenting and caring
-Authoritarian
-Democratic
-permissive/indulgent
-negligent
Authoritarian
-Gives little emotional support
-Very controlling
-Gives lots of rules and requiring unconditional
-Obedience
Authoritative vs authoritarian
=Authoritarian: parenting focuses on discipline
and control ( demanding and inflexible on all matters, only caring about one opinion; their own)
=Authoritative: parenting focuses on limit
setting with connection
**Impact On relationship Between child/parents-carers:
**
Positive:
- Child understands their boundaries and the expectations of them
-Child understands right from wrong and consequences
Household has order
Negative:
-Child may rebel against parents and conformity
-Child feels controlled and lacks freedom to make their own decisions and gain independence
-Child mightn’t have their own sense of identity due to conformity
Democratic
= Child’s and parents opinion are valued and a close bond is formed
-Responds to the needs of the child
-Encouraging
-Cooperating
-Directing child’s activities
-Establishing clear boundaries and rules
-Children are expected to take responsibility for their own actions
** Impact On relationship Between child/parents-carers:**
Positive:
-Encourages child to have greater independence, a vital skill for the future
-Child feels comfortable to make rational decisions and own up and take responsibility for their actions
-Child feels supported and comfortable to discuss issues they’re facing with their parents
-Child understands characteristics of a healthy relationship (e.g., listening) which they could implement/emulate for future relationships
Negative:
Sometimes fosters complacency
At some point parent may need to be authoritarian and the child will not expect to have no influence in the decision making process
Permissive/indulgent
= Parents/carers who indulge (give in and spoil) their children in a way similar to buying love and being excessively lenient.
-Supporting, encouraging and accepting of child
-Does not seek to control child’s behaviour
-Do not impose limits or rules
-Tolerates incorrect behaviour
-May lead to poor wellbeing as the dependant may engage in high-risk activities, and as a result may not meet needs for safety and security
**Impact On relationship Between child/parents-carers:
Positive:
- Child develops independence as they make their own decisions
Negative:
-Child lacks respect for parents
-Child is spoilt and expects everything in life to be given to them
-Child may engage in unsafe practices as they don’t understand expectations, boundaries
-Child lacks real world experience
Negligent
= Child may feel abused, neglected, unloved – lack a close bond with parents
-Little attention to child
-Parents are uninvolved in child’s life
-No rules, no limits, no structure
Eg Matilda
**Impact On relationship Between child/parents-carers:
Positive:
-Child develops strong independence
Negative:
-Child may engage in unsafe activities as they have no positive role mode
Legal Rights Of Parents
Right Of Parents - MEDAL (acronym)
- Take control in major medical decisions
-Ensure access to education
-Discipline the child through responsible means
-Consent to the child’s adoption
-Take legal proceedings on behalf of the child
Rights Of Children
= to participate in decisions made about their life
- Once over 14, make their own medical decisions
- Adequate care, compassions and understanding
- Dignity, by the way of the parent supporting hygienic needs
- Be protected from neglect and abuse
- Receive help e.g. medical support, spiritual comfort and access to relevant supports
- Inheritance - have no right to their parent’s money or property after their death, but are entitled to claim it legally under family law provisions
- Actions regarding children are in the child’s best interest
Rights Of Carers
= be recognised or acknowledged in their role
- Receive financial assistance for their service
- Up to 63 days of respite per year
- Be covered by the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Carer Responsibilities) Act 2000
- Request flexible working arrangements and carers leave under the Fair Work Act 2009
- Act as their dependents advocate when necessary
- Access support through the National Carer Counselling Program
Rights Of Dependants
= to participate in decisions made about their life
- Once over 14, make their own medical decisions
- Adequate care, compassions and understanding
- Dignity, by way of the parent supporting hygienic needs
- Be protected from neglect and abuse
- Receive help e.g. medical support, spiritual comfort and access to relevant support
- Actions regarding children are in the child’s best interest
Responsibilities Of Parents And Carers Dot Points:
=Many responsibilities are undertaken to ensure someone’s rights are maintained
Responsibility: a duty or obligation
- Duty Of Care
- Setting Limits
- Discipline
Duty Of Care
= P/Cs have a duty of care to their dependants = moral or legal obligation to establish and maintain the wellbeing and safety of the people they look after
Two Legal Roles:
1) They are the guardian, responsible for the long-term wellbeing of their dependants
2) They are a custodian, supervising and assisting with the day-to-day care of their dependants
Parents also have a duty of care to provide their children with adequate education
- The Education Act 1990 (NSW) states that parents of a compulsory school-age child have a duty to enrol the child in school or register for home-school
Setting Limits
= P/C providers have the right to provide guidance and set firm boundaries for their dependants
-important to remember that reinforcing positive behaviour is far more effective than allocating punishment for negative transgressions
Dependants benefit from limitations, which help them understand:
1) What is expected of them
2) Fair treatment
3_ Respect for others
4) Cause and effect
4)Self-identity
Limits set by the parent/carer may be in conflict with the views or opinions of their dependants
Discipline
= Setting limits requires parents and carers to establish clear, simple rules and employ disciplinary practices that are both fair and appropriate
- Children respond positively to family environments where they can learn, by modelling the healthy behaviours of their parents, how to manage, and de-escalate, conflict and other stressful incidents
- important that discipline does not equate to physical punishment; discipline simply refers to a training system used to reinforce a set of rules or a code of behaviours
In this instance, parents and carers can use disciplinary practices to develop appropriate behaviours and attitudes
Types Of Support Dot Point
- Formal - goverment agenices, community organisations
- Informal - relatives, friends, neighbours
Informal - Relatives, Friends, Neighbours
= Typically provided by family, friends, neighbours, not an organisation or service
1)Relatives = Provides consistency in discipline and setting limits
- Fathers spending more time at home with children bonding
- Non-custodial parents (ie. child visits on weekends) may be a valuable source of additional emotional and financial support
- Gives custodial parent chance to refresh and regain energy
- Adolescents take on responsibilities for younger siblings
Eg. babysitting, transport, cooking = more time for parents to manage additional roles
- Grandparents involved in child bearing and develops special bond
Emotional wellbeing enhanced through self-esteem, self-confidence and ability to give and receive affection
Eg. grandparents picking up the child from school
2) Friends
Eg. a parent needs to go to the doctors or have their car serviced, a friend may be asked to look after the dependant, especially if they have children of similar age
- support the parent emotionally
- provide respite for the parent/carer, enhancing wellbeing
3) Neighbours
Convenience of close proximity
Formal - Government Agencies, Community Organisations
= Support from a recognised agency or organisation
Can be government or community organisations
1)Government Agencies
- Government-funded and administered
-NSW Department of Family and Community Services
- Australian Government Department of Human Services that delivers Centrelink services
2)Community organisations
- Community organisations may receive financial support from the government, but they are administered by the organisation staff
- A person’s finances will determine the level of support these agencies will provide
EXAMPLES:
- Salvation Army
- The Smith Family
- St Vincent de Paul Society
Types Of Services Provided Through Formal Support Dot Points
- Health Care
- Education
- Financial Support
- Childcare
- Respite
- Counselling
Health Care
Health services available cover all dimensions of health; physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual
EG:
Family doctor, obstetrician, midwife, pediatrician, nurse
Specialists, eg. dentists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, OT
Medicare and private health funds
- Rehabilitation centres
- Royal Blind Society, Autistic Children’s Association
Early childhood health centres
= Variety of services available to assist with skills and knowledge surrounding parenting and caring
EG:
- Australian Breastfeeding Association
- Tresillian and Karitane; assist parents to settle their babies and get them into routine
Australian Multiple Birth Association; provides support for parents of twins, triplets etc.
- Fostering NSW; provides skills, knowledge, practical support to foster parents
-Carers NSW; provides education for carers
- MyTime for grandparents
Financial Support
= be gained from two main sources - the government (through Centrelink) and welfare agencies
Government Financial Support:
-Parental leave pay
-Dad and partner pay
-Family tax benefit
- Carer payment
- Carer allowance
Childcare
= Provides certified and safe child care for parents who are working, studying, taking care of other dependants
- Eg. preschools, kindergarten, long day care, occasional care, family day care, in-home care, out-of-school house (before and after school care) and vacation care
- Can be expensive
- Should not replace the role of a parent, but are fantastic facilities that allow children to learn, grow, socialise, explore and create
- Australian Government MyChild website is useful for parents to gain information and explore appropriate childcare services for their children
Respite
= Temporary care of an aged, ill, or disabled person
Designed to give carers a break from the demands of their daily routine
- occur in a hospital, nursing home, aged care facility, hospice or day centre
- often provided by community care services
- Eg. Home and Community Care Program, National Respite for Carers Program, residential care homes
- An aged dependant must be assessed by an Aged Care - Assessment Team to establish eligibility
- Breaks can benefit both the dependant and carer and help build a positive relationship; well-deserved break from demanding role
- Demand for respite care is greater than what is available
Counselling
= someone trained to offer a talk-based therapy
- Not all counsellors are professionally qualified
- There’s no law to protect against individuals without training calling themselves counsellors
- occur at a community health centre, in a private practice, through web counselling or over the phone
Examples:
- Unifam Counselling NSW
- Relationships Australia
- Parentline
- Catholic Care
- Family Relationships
- National Carer Counselling Program
If a dependant passes away, grief counselling can help a carer process the loss and adjust to their situation
