Last year, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory on loneliness and last month, he issued another one.
The US Surgeon General recently issued an advisory "to call attention to the stress and mental health concerns facing parents and caregivers and to lay out what we can do to address them."
There are several factors that were outlined as areas of concern for parents: stress, loneliness, exhaustion, finances, safety, screen time, youth mental health, gun violence, social media, and the future.
So, what's the solution? It's not a simple one! Here's what the Surgeon General recommends:
1. Shifting the value placed on parenting by recognizing the amount of work involved in raising children.
2. Providing more financial support for families, including child tax credits.
3. Paid time off to be with a new baby or a sick child.
4. Quality and affordable child care, before- and after-school care.
5. Reliable mental health care for the whole family.
6. Community spaces that are safe for children and provide parents with a place to build social connections.
7. Flexible and predictable work schedules. Leaders who are accommodating.
8. The village- family members, friends, neighbors, and co-workers who can help.
What do you think? Is this enough? Too much? What would help lighten the load for you as a parent?
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