"The first year after my son was born was an extremely stressful time for my family. He was unsettled and cried a lot, both day and night. He didn’t fit in with other children without constant supervision, so taking him to playgroup or mother’s group was worse than staying home with him. We don’t have extended family in the area, so it was almost impossible to have time without my son – not just to relax, but to do things like go to an appointment, access early intervention for my son, volunteer in the community or contribute to the family business.
Our Maternal Health sister recognised how difficult things were for us. When my son turned one, she suggested that I go and see the staff at Morrell Street Occasional Care. “You need a break for your own mental health,” she said, “and there are things you just can’t get done if you don’t have someone to look after him. They are just wonderful there.”
We have never looked back. With their expert and loving care, my son has developed and thrived. They have identified his special needs and helped him learn how to socialise appropriately. They have given him the confidence needed to transition into the more structured kinder environment. I have been granted a time each week when I know I can make that important phone call, make a doctors appointment, or work on the accounts for our family business. I know that if something comes up, such as a funeral, I am able to book my children into care and participate in important family and community events.
The importance of the Take-A-Break Occasional Childcare program must not be underestimated. It is a program that empowers women to further their own prospects as well as those of their family and their community. For my own family and the thousands of others who have their own story to tell, it must be saved. "
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