Mothers Day Gift

The Australian government plans to offer more rebates to attract mothers back to work instead of staying home with their children.

The Sunday Telegraph described this as a Mother's Day gift.  But is it really a "gift" when you think about it?

The intention is to get mothers back to work.  This is because they want to drive the economy further.  They want to reduce the budget deficit.

I respect these intentions.  However, what about the children?  Children need their mothers.  To force mothers away from their children by using this economic tool can be detrimental to family health.  Childcare helps, but they do not replace the mothers.  The parents are supposed to the primary responsibility for the children.  Bible verses as Proverbs 29:17 and 1 Timothy 5:8 assert the responsibility of parents towards their children.

Surely, taking both parents away from their children is not good in the light of this?  Surely parents should not be so caught up chasing after the economic dollar that their children be neglected?

On the other hand, perhaps mothers have been taking too much leave allowance.  Perhaps less leave allowance is okay, especially given the nation's budget deficit.

Where should we draw the line?

How should one balance between the need for money and the need for family time?  How should one balance between loving and nurturing one's children vs. being away from them to fulfill work responsibilities?

What do you think?