Lend a helping hand

How can people who don’t have children help?

Even if you don’t have children you can contribute to a child’s development. Offering to baby-sit for a family member or a close friend can give them a break from parenting or the chance to keep active in their social life.

You can also have a positive influence on children in the community by acting as a role model for acceptable behaviour and teaching them how to interact with people outside of their family. This helps a child get used to the things that make other people different from them and teaches them to respect others. Regular interactions with people in the community also help a child develop a sense of belonging.

The business community

Parents and caregivers have to structure their time around the needs of their children. Dropping in to the local café for a morning coffee, fetching the groceries, visiting the bank, going on holiday – these often have to be done with a hungry baby in tow.

Whether you are a small café or a large hotel, there are ways you can make your business more child friendly – and more attractive to customers who are parents or caregivers.

• Offer product or service discounts specially for parents and caregivers.
• Provide toys and books for children in their early years, or better still, a safe play area where parents can keep an eye on them.
• Find out what grants are available for making your business more child friendly.
• Provide nappy-changing facilities in rest rooms.
• Provide a high chair and add a small kids section to your menu.
• Teach your staff how to interact with children.
• Install ramps that make it easier for parents to bring prams and strollers into your premises.
• Invest in a crèche facility for your customers.
• Promote your efforts to be more child friendly.