Is caring for children and family "caregiving" too? I am seeing the idea of caring for kids and family as "caregiving" quite a lot. Since when did rearing healthy children now become "caregiving"? As a caregiver to 3 elderly people with real special needs (Alzheimer's, diabetes, etc) I am kind of taken back by the idea that normal child rearing is now caregiving too. It kind of delutes the whole caregiving cause as normal family life? Those using "caregiver" are referring to guardians, maybe aunts and grandmas. Typically, caregiving is about someone who is sick ... and is a difficult thing for those that do step up to help. I hope we can find another term for those that care for healthy kids that will grow up, and move on to be adults and no long need the care. Such as "guardian" There is a difference. Those that are caregivers only have the death of those they care for to look into the future to. I realize this is this is nit picky nomenclature... but as what I think of as a "caregiver" it would be bad to lose that distinction into caring for healthy children and family too.
I understand that to mean that if I see a child doing something inappropriate, I as a village member tell them to knock it off or their parents will hear about it, or if I see a little guy with boogers running down their face, I give them a tissue or send them home to deal with it, not providing the moral, ethical, financial backbone to these youngsters, more reinforcing what they have been taught. Unfortunately, those beliefs are all over the board now, so who knows what is acceptable. My oh my, I mean who teaches their kids that you don't have to be respectful to authority figures and DO as they ask/tell, but we see it everyday on the news about excessive force used, when it is really a problem of kids thinking they are above listening to authority. We never hear the media say, jr. Got his butt kicked because he spit at a policeman. Used to be the police could reprimand you and then you got whipped when you got home, now you get 15 minutes of fame.
Am I the only one that finds this reprehensible?
Groan. "Yes, you're a mother. I kind of would have assumed that implies you are a caregiver unless you are regrettably the subject of a child protection order. But if you want me to acknowledge your caregiving responsibilities specifically I am happy to do so [mutters: especially if it'll shut you up]..."
Here's something to think about. There is a national movement for parents to get a nationally-mandated paid maternity/paternity leave. People would love to have the year off that some European countries give. Why not such a movement for people who take care of their parents?
Pushes my buttons as well.