work/family/school balance 1 ellie goldberg, m.ed

Work/Family/School Balance

www.healthy-kids.info

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www.healthy-kids.infoEllie Goldberg, M.Ed

Family/Work/School BalanceAmericans report sharply higher levels of work- family conflict

than do citizens of other industrialized countries. 90 percent of American mothers and 95 percent of American

fathers report work-family conflict.

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Today’s family• Now, 70 percent of American children live in households

where all adults are employed.• Nearly one in four Americans—more every year—are caring

for elders. • Hospitals let patients out “quicker and sicker.” • Yet employers still enshrine as ideal the breadwinner who is

always available because his wife takes care of the children, the sick, the elderly—as well as dinner, pets, and the dry cleaning.


The Three Faces of Work-Family Conflict from The Center for American Progress and the Center for WorkLife Law at the UC Hastings College of the Law analyzes the work-family conflicts that millions of American families face

and provides common-sense, progressive recommendations to solve them... (Jason Rahlan 202.481.8132 [email protected]

Download the full report (pdf) Download the executive summary (pdf)

Grandparents as parents• The fastest-growing household type is grandparents

being the primary guardian for their grandchildren. • Grandparents are the primary guardian for 30 to 50 %

of children under 18 in some inner cities. • Grandparents also are a major source of childcare for

working parents.• Nearly 20 %of working mothers with young children

use the children’s grandparents for childcare.• 1/3 of the grandmothers who provide care for their

grandchildren are employed, so they often end up in the same position single mothers are in—at risk of losing their jobs.


Got stress?


Crisis?

• What happens when your kid gets sick?

• What happens when your babysitter gets sick?

• What happens when you get sick?


Score yourself• personal life?• family life?• social life?

• participate in your congregation?• participate in your child’s school?

• participate in civic life?


Got stress?• Multiple family responsibilities • No paid sick days• Unpredictable and inflexible workplace

schedules• No paid family and medical leave• Mandatory overtime• Discrimination against parents, pregnant

women and caregivers


Work Disruption

• Nearly one out of every two low-wage parents interviewed in one study had been sanctioned at work due to family care responsibilities. Some were fired; others lost wages; others were denied promotions or received verbal or written warnings.


Parent involvement

You are not alone.


The Key: Relationships

• You need allies and back up networks• Set up your support system before

school starts.• Keep emergency back up numbers up to

date.• Provide backups with authorizations and

current info to act in your place.

Research

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Your Policy Book• Medication/Delegation• Attendance/Absences• Teacher – Student assignments• Physical Education• Grading/retention• Field Trips• Emergencies

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Consider

• School schedules• School demands• School attitudes• School policies• School expectations


Building the Comprehensive Coordinated Care Plan


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Ellie Goldberg, M.Ed.



work/family/school balance 1 ellie goldberg, m.ed

Documents

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family life

executive summary slide

paid family

workfamily conflicts

todays family

family care responsibilities

percent of american