Working moms need child-care assistance

Employers need to offer assistance for child care to full-time working mothers.

As a single mother myself, I understand the frustration of not having decent, affordable and reliable childcare. Mothers who are working full time are also paying full-time tuition for their children to be in day care.

This being the fourth largest expense working mothers have, it's no wonder why a large percentage of single mothers choose not to work. But can you blame them?

About half of a working mother's income goes toward child-care expenses. This leaves little to nothing for the family to live off. However, for many parents, simply staying unemployed is not an option. This often leads to multiple occasions when the employee is absent or unproductive.

I believe the community needs to stress this issue. We all need to make it clear that government and employer support is needed in order to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

Not only would it improve business for the company when the productivity goes up and absenteeism goes down, but it will give an opportunity for mothers to better their lives and careers.

Marie Rice

Elgin

Elgin Community College