Time for Parenting...

...because raising children is a full-time job

January 2001 Newsletter

Editorial; Voices; Baby to child: the importance of emotional well-being; The Nurturing Programme; New members write

Editorial

'Baby to child: the importance of emotional well-being' was the the theme of our AGM in November and our speakers were Louise Pankhurst, Director of the Child Psychotherapy Trust, and Rosalind Hanbury, who helped to found the charity Family Links. For a full account of their talks click here. For me, the most powerful image of the day was Louise's video clip which showed a baby, just seconds after birth, turning his head to follow the sound of his mother's voice. It was a powerful reminder of Louise's message that a newborn baby has 'almost all the adult emotions' and can communicate them. It is so important that new mothers should be prepared for this and be enabled to respond to their baby's emotional needs.

News broke recently that an independent Childcare Commission has recommended a radical new approach to childcare which recognises the importance of caring for children at home. Press comment has focused on the 'Toddler Tax Credit' which the Commission suggests should be paid to mothers for the first 3 years of every child's life - in fact just one of several options in the report. I am pleased to say that the Commission has taken up a number of FTM's key recommendations - details below. But will the report be implemented? With the Budget only a month away, it is time to write to your own MP NOW asking for tax and benefit support for mothers (or fathers) at home.

Finally, a reminder that FTM annual subscriptions are now due. Unless you have joined within the last 6 months (or sent us a standing order form last year) could you please now complete the pink form enclosed and send it in with your sub. Please don't delay or forget - we are wholly dependent on member-funding and without your support Full Time Mothers will cease to exist!

Jill Kirby, Chairman