In unsere Serie „Sharing is caring around the world“ befragen wir Eltern auf der ganzen Welt, wie sie sich die Carearbeit ihrer Kinder und die Versorgung der Familie teilen. Denn Eltern-Werden heisst Verantwortung zu übernehmen. Gemeinsam. Nach Süd- und Nordamerika, Asien, Afrika und natürlich Europa, geht es heute nach Australien. In Sydney wollen wir heute herausbekommen, wie familienfreundlich Downunder nun wirklich ist…

Alison Henrici (37) is a business owner of a brand of baby products (suessie.com purchased via Amazon.de) and Sebastian Henrici is working in technology sales (39), they are parents of Emmeline (4) and Felix (5 months) and live in Bondi Beach.

After having my first child, Emmeline, I decided to start my own business so that I could have work flexibility and make my own hours. My husband has a busy job that includes traveling, so it was important that I have a job that’s flexible because I have the main task of caring for the kids.

Alison Henrici

How do you divide the working time and childcare time between you in your family?

After having my first child, Emmeline, I decided to start my own business so that I could have work flexibility and make my own hours. My husband has a busy job that includes traveling, so it was important that I have a job that’s flexible because I have the main task of caring for the kids. My daughter is in daycare 3 days a week so that’s when I get most work done for my business. I also have a newborn, so most of my work is done during his naps. My husband is able to help by doing the drop offs and pick ups from daycare.

Have you discussed these issues as part of family planning? Or was it always clear for you both?

It was always pretty clear for both of us that I would look after the kids while he works.

 

What is the standard model in Sydney or Australia, how do your friends with kids manage family and work?

In Sydney, most families have two parents working while the kids are in daycare. Most mums take one year maternity but go back to work once the kids turn 1. It’s hard to find part time opportunities, so many parents are only able to return to their jobs full time. Most of my friends would prefer to work part time but it’s hard to find an employer who supports this.

Does that mean that most parents share 50:50 because they have to work fulltime?

No, I don’t think it’s ever 50/50. One person usually has to take on more responsibility of the kids.

In Sydney, most families have two parents working while the kids are in daycare. Most mums take one year maternity but go back to work once the kids turn 1. It’s hard to find part time opportunities, so many parents are only able to return to their jobs full time.

Alison Henrici

Is there such a thing as parental leave, parental allowance or maternity protection in Australia?

Depending on how long you’ve been in your job you’re allowed one year maternity leave. This means your employer must keep your job available for you for one year. There’s then an option to ask for an additional year maternity leave but this is at the employers discretion. Employers must only make sure the same job is available to you upon returning to work. They unfortunately don’t have to make things easier for you by offering part time opportunities.

The government offers paid parental leave (depending on your salary) for about 18 weeks at the national minimum wage of $695 per week before taxes. See link for more info: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/parental-leave-pay

How is the state assisting with child care? Is there a kindergarten or kita? And is it a difference also priced? Can you explain the model to us?

As of July 1st the government is making changes to the assistance given to families. The new model is income tested so the more you make the less assistance you receive (if anything). Unfortunately I’m not too familiar with how it works as it’s a new program. See link for more info: https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/child-care-subsidy

There are state run childcare facilities but everyone I know could only get into the privately run facilities which average $160 a day.

What’s your advice so that sharing job & kids between the parents works with as little pain and frustration as possible?

Childcare in Sydney is very expensive so make sure you work out what your fees will be before making plans to go back to work. If you’re paying $160 a day that’s $800 a week for only one child. Are you working just to pay for daycare? If all of your salary is going towards daycare you might want to consider staying home longer with your kids until they start school.

My advice for balancing work and kids is to make sure your work is as flexible as possible. If one parent has an intense job the other parent needs to have something in place that’s flexible. Whether this is job sharing, working from home or starting your own business like I did, you need to make sure one parent can be there for the kids.

Childcare in Sydney is very expensive so make sure you work out what your fees will be before making plans to go back to work. If you’re paying $160 a day that’s $800 a week for only one child. Are you working just to pay for daycare?

Alison Henrici

Thank you so much Alison. We wish you and your great family all the best.

Pic: private

Sharing is Caring around the World

Letzte Woche haben wir von Bianca Reis aus New York berichtet. Sie erzählt von den Bedingungen in der Metropole und ihren persönlichen Herausforderungen mit zwei kleinen Jungs und zwei Elternteilen, die ihr eigenes Business managen müssen.
Bayo Bally und Zuuena Guttali leben mit ihrer gemeinsamen Tochter Michelle in Dar es Salaam, Tansania. Beide arbeiten Vollzeit. Wie viele Eltern dort. Wie das funktioniert und was die üblichen Modelle in dieser Gesellschaft sind, erfahrt ihr im Interview.

Katharina Höftmann Ciobotaru (34) ist eine deutsche Autorin, die gemeinsam mit ihrem Mann Nahum Ciobotaru (41) und den beiden Söhne Ari (4) und Ben (1) in Tel Aviv, Israel lebt. Mehr erfahrt ihr im Interview.

Wie ein kreatives Familiennetzwerk in in Russland bzw. speziell in Moskau aussehen kann, können wir hier lesen. Speziell wenn die Eltern beide freischaffende Künstler sind! Hier mehr dazu.

Carearbeit in der Schweiz? Ist immer noch hin-und-wieder reine Frauensache. Aber es ändert sich etwas in dem Land. Hier mehr dazu.

Paola Elizaga (33) ist Online Marketing Coach und Mama von zwei Kindern. Sie hat für weibliche Unternehmerinnen den Podacst “Negocios Entre Pañales” (Business Between Diapers) ins Leben gerufen und arbeitet selbstständig. Die Familie lebt in Panama City, mehr erfahrt ihr im Interview.