I believe that one of the things that has made America great is neighbors helping neighbors. Back in the age of dinosaurs when my children were little, I watched a little girl for an hour in the morning before school because her mother worked. When my youngest child was in the hospital for a time, two of my neighbors watched my older children for me. This is the kind of thing that is part of our culture. Well, there have been some changes since then.
According to an Associated Press story at Yahoo.com, Lisa Snyder, a Michigan woman who watches a neighbors child before school, has received a letter from the Michigan Department of Human Services telling her that if she continued to watch the child, she would be violating the law. The law is aimed at unlicensed daycare centers. I watch two of my grandchildren three days a week. Is that illegal now? (No, because they are related.)
According to the article:
"Snyder's predicament has led to a debate in Michigan about whether a law that says no one may care for unrelated children in their home for more than four weeks each calendar year unless they are licensed day-care providers needs to be changed. It also has irked parents who say they depend on such friendly offers to help them balance work and family.
"On Tuesday, agency Director Ismael Ahmed said good neighbors should be allowed to help each other ensure their children are safe. Gov. Jennifer Granholm instructed Ahmed to work with the state Legislature to change the law, he said."
I understand the state's desire to protect children, but what about the right of parents to choose what they consider the best child care?
Let's talk about why child care has become an industry. In 1960 the average household paid less than 10% of its income in taxes. Now that number is closer to 44%. As our government has grown, so has the indebtedness of our citizens. Working wives to a large extent are paying the extra taxes and supporting the daycare industry. Less government would give us lower taxes and allow wives who choose to stay home the luxury of doing that.
Michigan is working to change this law, but I believe the law was overreaching in the first place. I understand the government's desire to protect children, but I think parents should be free to make arrangements with neighbors where it is convenient.
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