Job loss fears stop struggling Aussie families planning holidays

Anxious parents are struggling to pay household expenses and school fees as Covid-19 hits hard, an alarming new survey shows.

Many families are struggling to make ends meet, a new survey shows.

Parents are struggling to pay household expenses and school fees as Covid-19 hits hard, an alarming new survey shows.

The national survey of more than 1300 Australian parents found nearly 70 per cent were concerned about covering day to day bills and debts, while more than 80 per cent were worried about the rising costs of living.

Covid-19 lockdowns, job jitters and home schooling were among the factors fuelling anxiety over household finances, the Real Family Concerns report revealed.

It also found that nearly 40 per cent of families were not planning any holidays and more than 35 per cent were unable to pay the school fees, because of the fears around their job security.

“In some ways it is concerning that so many parents are concerned about protecting their families, but in the context of 2021 it is also completely understandable,” family psychologist Clare Rowe said.

“While it is normal that parents would go into ‘protect mode’ trying to keep their head above water and steer their family through this period, they also need to try and maintain some perspective on long term outlook and try and look at the practical things that they can control.”

It is important for people to know that the financial stress experienced at home can “easily trickle down” and impact children. Picture: iStock

However, Ms Rowe said that it was important for people to know that the financial stress experienced at home can “easily trickle down” and impact children.

“Young people are vulnerable to taking on the emotions of those around them,” she said.

“In times of crisis, it is difficult to shield them from the increased symptoms of stress exhibited by parents such as irritability, fatigue and anxiety.

“Financial stress in the family is not just an issue that is isolated to one family member and chronic stress can adversely impact on everyone’s functioning.”

Covid lockdown has meant plenty of juggling for parents.

More than 63 per cent of parents were stressed about the ongoing impacts of Covid, while 57.8 per cent were worried about mental health issues.

Parents were also found to be increasingly alarmed about the amount of time their children were spending online during the pandemic.

They feared their child was being exposed to online predators (59.3 per cent), bullying (54.1 per cent), online addiction (51.5 per cent) or porn (48.3 per cent).

Mother of three Berneece Smith says the pandemic has seen her more concerned about her children’s screen use and worries about the potential risks like online predators. Picture: Supplied

Mother-of-three Berneece Smith, from northern NSW, said it has been challenging to monitor her children’s internet use while also working from home.

“I worry children are becoming addicted to technology with all the increased usage, often using it for school work, talking to friends, playing games and watching movies,” she said.

“I also worry for their safety often while on the internet. When we aren’t in a lockdown it’s easier to keep the children occupied and busy doing after school activities and playing with friends.”

Originally published as Job loss fears stop struggling Aussie families planning holidays