…people who decide to stay home to raise their children, were compensated somehow? I know, I know. It all may sound fantastic and assinine, but maybe only because it has never been done. Anywhere.

I am not sure where this funding would come from, but let’s just say. Maybe the funding would come from all of the money that is saved by our government when they consistently don’t develop nationalized health care or child care programs. Just a thought.

But seriously, what would this look like? What would the model be for compensation for stay-at-home-parenting? Would it be something that a parent could do until their children are 18 or only until they start elementary school? Would there be a different program for parents who choose to home school? What would the overall pay model be? Would parents who participate in this program be paid as miserably as current child care providers and teachers are paid?

Perhaps these parents would be enrolled in a school of sorts for training as a parent (I believe that all people should have to do this anyway). This education would start at the beginning of pregnancy and would include extensive post natal training and basic home health care and life saving education. This program would also include in-depth psychological education discussing various ways to deal with post-natal depression, what to do when you just can’t take it anymore, etc.

This education would be compulsory and would continue for however long the person decided to stay home with their children or for however long they could stay home with their children, depending on the statutes of this program.

Possibly this program could offer additional opportunities for career development after the program ends.

There would obviously have to be some sort of regulation and monitoring. Everyone has a boss.

I don’t know. It is just a kookie idea. Obviously, there are all sorts of problems with the idea. It sets up miriad opportunities for program abuse if it isn’t developed properly. Also, it has to stay out of the grubby hands of the Right so they don’t turn it into some scary anti-choice, baby making program. But I think it has some possibilities.

Oh, and it will need a catchy name. I will think on it.