NOW CLOSED If parents ruled the world…what would make it into your 'Mummyfesto'? Share your thoughts and win £200 Love2shop voucher

[KatieBMumsnet]

To celebrate the launch of the new book, The Mummyfesto by Linda Green, we'd like to know what issues Mumsnetters would campaign for if parents were in charge.

Here's what the publishers of The Mummyfesto say: "Issues affecting and surrounding parents don't often come to the forefront of the political agenda - a recent survey by 23snaps revealed that 46% of parents don't think family issues get much attention from politicians. This is addressed in The Mummyfesto, a new book by Linda Green, in which three mums who campaign to save their local lollipop lady from redundancy discover that they are rather good at it."

So what would you like to see in world where parents are in charge? This can be anything from free childcare to Mumsnet replacing the House of Lords. We'd love to hear what you think - if parents ruled the world, how would we make it better? It could be something small and local or big and national, silly or deadly serious. Time to get creative!

Everyone who adds a comment to this thread will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 Love2shop voucher.


Thanks and good luck,

MNHQ

[stealthsquiggle]

Tax deductible childcare.

[MissRee]

That maternity benefits are extended so that every parent can afford to spend more time at home caring for their own child and not being forced back to work to be able to afford to live!

[littlemonkeychops]

1. Making parking in a mother and baby space when you are child-free be made a criminal offence ;-)
   
2. A ban on cuts to children's services
   
3. As others have said before, making access to services for those with SN a clear-cut right instead of something that has to be fought for every step of the way
   
4. 12 months paid maternity leave (due in May, so not at all biased!!)

[TheTempest]

To be kind.

Simplistic I know but I think it would work.

[iYawn]

Seconding tax deductible childcare

[Jins]

Loving the sound of tax deductibel childcare

My main desire is the removal of the postcode lottery that applies to almost everything whether it be access to healthcare or to schools. There needs to be consistency across the board.

Also I'd banish the word Mummy which makes my teeth itch and unfortunately would prevent me from buying a book which included it in the title. Or in fact being seen reading it

[firawla]

As others have said improvement on help for SN. Try to reduce the waiting time for assessments, and s&l waiting lists too
The new child benefit thing changed to make it fairer, based on overall household income

[MakesCakesWhenStressed]

I'd like to see it made easier for sahm/wahm (or dads) to do exactly that. Went can't parents share their tax allowance? It's a simple thing but ot would make it a little easier for parents to raise their children themselves.

I would also like it to be mandatory for clothes manufacturers to supply detachable snot patches for clothes at knee height and on shoulders to make it easier to stay presentable as the mum of a toddler!

[pootlebug]

Apart from campaigning to ban the words Mummyfesto, Mumpreneur etc?

[Chigley1]

Compulsory parentlng classes for all.

[ExasperatedSigh]

By and large, parents do rule the world. It hasn't stopped them slashing services, demoralising teachers and flogging off social housing, has it? And that's just in this country - I'm sure plenty of overseas dictators have managed to spawn while raping and murdering their own people (probably not at the same time though).

Anyway, if I as a parent ruled the world I would shut down all the tabloids and shite magazines and force media culture to reform itself. Would also bring back Dinosour Eggs, mmmm.

[Quenelle]

I would ban use of 'mummy' where 'parent/s' is more appropriate. Why is a book about issues affecting and surrounding parents called The Mummyfesto?

It's no wonder women end up bearing the greater load of raising children is it?

[CMOTDibbler]

Joined up childcare thinking - from baby to 16. Childcare is actually easiest to arrange before children are at school, then its a nightmare of juggling.

And recognition that parents of young children may also be caring for their own parents. Its a real issue trying to do both - according to lots of people my parents should be helping with ds (snort), and I should be available for the many, many, many appointments my parents have to try and help them.

[JollyYellowGiant]

I agree with CMOT. Cheaper childcare would be great. All large work places having nurseries would also be great. Without 3 year waiting lists.

When we have child no 2, my job will no longer be affordable. I earn £300 for one day's work a week and childcare for one is £160.

[leelo]

clear access and parking for parents with children everywhere. deals on week days and weekend for children at restaurants and entertainment facilities. clean streets with no dog mess. parks with no grafitti and usable toilets. town centres with activities for families each weekend. local festivals periodically so people become social and closer instead of strangers. also i'd like it if people opened doors for each other and remembered to say please and thank you. also no crossing the road during the red man. rant over. cheers.

[Alicadabra]

Tax-deductible childcare gets a big thumbs up from me (for self-employed people too please!)

My slightly less realistic suggestions:

A UK-wide network of very reasonably priced ad-hoc housekeeper/nannies to swoop in and help on those days when the cupboard is bare, house is chaos, children are playing up, someone's coming for dinner and you really need to get that Very Important Thing finished for work within the next thirty minutes.

A ban on adverts for children's products (eg. nappies) that appear to be aimed at the child rather than the parent (Erm, hello? I'm the one with the cash so don't treat me like a toddler) and on patronising puns on the word 'mum' (can't think why that came to mind ).

[JS06]

Encourage good practice with manners and courtesy from a very early age, picking up litter even when you didn't create it, offering to hold open a door or give up a seat on public transport, stopping to think about how your actions may have a negative consequence for someone else.

[gazzalw]

That libraries, doctors' surgeries, shopping centres would open to fit in with family life. It's so annoying to drop off the children and then be hanging around waiting for things to open rather than just be able to roll seamlessly into shops/the library etc....

[Herrena]

A UK-wide network of very reasonably priced ad-hoc housekeeper/nannies to swoop in and help on those days when the cupboard is bare, house is chaos, children are playing up, someone's coming for dinner and you really need to get that Very Important Thing finished for work within the next thirty minutes.

This^^ with bells on, and tax-deductible childcare at a price that doesn't eat up all of one average-earner's income (and a bit more).

Oh, and the word mummyfesto is horrible.