8 FEBRUARY 2008

Being A Parent Is The Most Important Job Anyone Can Have

Jigsaw CEO Strategic Relationships wants parents to know that being a parent is the most important job anyone can ever have.

This follows a Families Commission survey which shows that nearly two-thirds of parents surveyed think their role is not very important.

Mr Huirama is concerned about a number of findings in the survey. He is worried that a high percentage of parents don’t feel their employer values parenting and do not provide the right level of support to them as parents.

“It is important that employers support their staff when they are parents. Employers need to understand that if they provide a supportive environment for their staff they will be happier and therefore more productive workers. In this day and age we are finding that both parents have to work to survive and it would helpful if employers were family friendly in what ever shape they can accommodate that.

Some employers do welcome children to their work place where possible.

Mr Huirama encourages parents who are not comfortable seeking parenting advice, because they may be viewed as a failure, to contact agencies who can support them.

“Parents must know it is not a bad thing to contact service providers for advice and support. Jigsaw and its agencies help many parents, who do a great job, but they want to learn how to be a even better parent, so they can help their child be the best they can be. I encourage all parents to not feel like a failure and contact any one of Jigsaw’s agencies in their community, The Families Commission, The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society or Barnardos.”

Background Information
Jigsaw is an organisation that works to help families be the best they can be for their children. Their 24 locally managed agencies throughout New Zealand work to help families that are experiencing difficulties raising their children, while also providing support and encouragement for families who want to improve their parenting and family life. For more information on Jigsaw, its agencies and their services please go to www.jigsaw.org.nz

ENDS

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