I REFER to the news report, "Maids taking over parenting role" (NST, May 10). In the report, Monash University and Sunway Medical Centre clinical psychologist Paul Jambunathan was reported as saying that "many children were learning their values from the maid rather than from their own parents".

It is rather ironic that parents, who work hard to earn and give the best to their children, get their priorities all mixed up. They miss being with their children during the crucial growing years to guide, nurture, nourish and provide a conducive, enriching and stimulating environment for the proper physical and mental development of their children.

The needs of growing children cannot wait; they have to be met as they arise.

It cannot be put off till the parents have earned enough money, by which time the damage done to the children may have become permanent and irreversible.

The quality of care given by a maid can hardly ever match the loving care and attention given by parents to their children.
The reality of the situation is that with rising cost of living, in most cases, it may not be possible for the earnings of one parent to meet the financial needs of the family.

Provision should be made for mothers to take no-pay leave or work part-time at a reduced salary for three years upon expiry of their maternity leave.

Besides flexible working hours, mothers should also, where possible, work online from their homes and attend meetings through video-conferencing.

Output of work should be measured by the quantity and quality of work produced, regardless of whether it was done at home or at the office, rather than by the number of hours spent at the office.