Under-valued mum under pressure

Janice Houltham with Taryn. Photo / Natalie Slade

Domestic purposes beneficiary Janice Houltham says she is already under-valued by the Government and further attempts to tighten the DPB are "disheartening" for parents who are trying to provide the best in the vital first five years of their child's life.

The 34-year-old gave up full-time employment as a truancy officer when she gave birth to her daughter, Taryn, nine months ago because she wanted her first child to be brought up in a consistent and stable environment.

She plans to return to work when her daughter turns five but now Ms Houltham faces the possibility of having to look for a job before Taryn turns three if the Welfare Working Group's recommendations are adopted.

"It's definitely something I would like to decide myself. The Government don't seem to understand that if we put in the hard yards for the first five years of their life that will set them up to be much better people in later years," said Ms Houltham.

Her benefit barely covers mortgage payments and Ms Houltham said she was forced to dip into her savings to provide nappies, food and educational toys for her daughter.

The Welfare Working Group has recommended targeting early childhood education subsidies to low-paid families but Ms Houltham said she was not willing to put her daughter into childcare when she was able to offer the best learning and developmental environment for Taryn at home.

Ms Houltham said she knew only too well from her work as a truancy officer the effect absent parents could have on a child's development.

"I've seen and I know what it is like. I don't want that happen for her. I provide a really good environment for her where at nine months she already knows her routine, she knows I am always there for her. If I was to go off to work I would have to rely on someone else and their skills which I'm sure would be fine but I feel for the first five years I am the best person," said Ms Houltham.