Work–Life Balance
What are some challenges parents face when trying to balance work and raising a baby?
moms can experience stressful work meetings, getting to work on time, being able to bond with the child, ect.
What are some ways parents can build strong attachments with their infants, even when working?
Parents can spend quality time and have skin-to-skin contact. Reading to them is another example.
Why do you think society expects mothers to take more time off than fathers after a baby is born?
Society has thought for a long time that women should be the ones to take care of the children, so it is a belief that stands in tradition. It is also commonly said that women are more nurturing than men and should therefore be around children more.
How might financial stress affect a family’s decisions about who works?
When money is tight, a family might resort to both parents working in order to financially support the children. They may also need to invest in a nanny, babysitter, or after school program.
How might a parent’s job provide benefits to their mental health or sense of identity?
Employment provides emotional support, social networks, and a sense of identity and competence, all of which help protect against depression and improve maternal sensitivity.
How could high-quality childcare or time with other caregivers benefit a baby’s development?
It may be beneficial for the baby to interact with other people. This also allows the parents more time to work and get money that will go back to the child.
How can fathers play an equal role in raising infants?
Fathers can spend time interacting with the child during this critical period in their life, or help to cook, clean, work, etc.
How does a mothers' attitude towards working impact their well-being?
Mothers who believe that employment will negatively effect their kids is sometimes what leads to child depression.
What are examples of workplaces that support new parents well?
places that give maternity leave, allows mothers if they have to pump during the middle of the day, and if they help with childcare.
What signs might show a child is struggling emotionally during early development?
A child may have a disorganized attachment style, isolate themselves, slow sensorimotor development, and acting out.
Have gender expectations around parenting changed in recent years? How so?
It is more "socially acceptable" for a mother to work and for a father to stay at home now. Same goes with cooking, cleaning, dropping kids off, etc.
What might motivate a mother to work?
Money for education, healthcare, food, etc.
Boredom, fulfillment, etc.
Do you think staying home or working full-time is more stressful overall for most parents—and why?
Staying home can be more stressful because parents might not have a big support system without work, and they have no outlet to take their mind off of worrying about their child.
Working can be more stressful because they have to worry about the family needs with their work needs. A mother might have a stressful day at work and then create an unhealthy environment for the infant.
Do you think the amount of time or the quality of time a parent spends with their child matters more?
Quality time matters more because skin-to-skin contact and reading is more beneficial than simply being around them.
Should companies offer paternity leave that’s as long as maternity leave? Why or why not?
Yes, companies should offer paternity leave because it is important for fathers to be with their infants as well
No, companies should not offer paternity leave because mothers have a greater impact on infant development than fathers
How could the extra money made from double incomes benefit the child?
They could receive better education, better quality food, sports, better healthcare, etc.