Because of the childcare law: Sophie Honger gives her opinion to the Council of States

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The fact that having children is often accompanied by great financial losses is not the only drawback of what is actually a very nice medal. When it comes to childcare, it is mainly mothers who have to interrupt their careers and reduce their workload. One reason: Many parents simply cannot afford to send their children to daycare.

In the spring of 2023, a proposal from the National Council provided for the financing of childcare costs of CHF 770 million per year for four years. The federal government would thus assume up to 20 percent of the average cost of a childcare place.

Hunger hopes that the Council of States realizes that he is on the wrong track

With 107 votes in favour, 79 votes against and five abstentions, the National Council decided to “translate the initial financing into a modern solution”. The SVP, most members of the FDP parliamentary group and some middle members voted against.

Now the proposal to the Council of States is in danger of failing. A fact that also prompts prominent parents to take to the barricade. Including Sophie Hunger, who became a mother herself a year ago. The 40-year-old is using the reach of her social media channels to encourage as many of her followers as possible to sign the petition, which calls for the Council of States to revisit the books and, given the many signatories, notes that at the wrong track.

Dear Sophie, you are publicly speaking in favor of the new Kita law. What are your motives?
For families in Switzerland, the monthly childcare bill consumes an average of 35 percent of their income – in no other country in the world do parents have to spend such a large part of their wages on childcare to supplement the family. This spring, the National Council acted in an exemplary manner and presented a beautiful law that took three years to work on, with the involvement of all parties. Parents should be relieved by the federal government of 20 percent of childcare costs. And what is the Council of States doing now? He comes through the door last and throws everything overboard without need. Emotionally like at the end of the “Dance of the Vampires” movie, the rescued Sarah is rejoiced until the camera zooms in and reveals the new vampire marks on her neck. Oh no! That is why we must now put pressure on them and change their mind. There’s a petition for that, and I’m passionate about promoting it.

Opponents argue that childcare is a family matter and not a taxpayer/state matter. What do you think?
Are you saying that, like bailing out private banks, it’s not the taxpayer’s job? Children are the basic requirement for the functioning of our democratic system. Without the next generation, the Council of States will eventually, with all due respect, no longer be needed. For those who find such philosophical thoughts tiresome, one can also ask very soberly: who exactly is going to pay for your pension? The children of today.

Of course there is a bill to pay. Today they only pay the parents, especially the mothers with free homework and their loss of wages and pensions. In our rich country, investments are made in all kinds of curiosities and subsidized until the beams bend, so that it becomes “too expensive” for families, ade merci, not with me.

In your message you write that you had to interrupt your career. What exactly are the reasons and what does the interruption mean financially for your small family?
Having children is a total disruption for any woman. The only question is: for how long? Fortunately, I have buried a lot in the garden in the fat years, I can afford to wait longer than planned. But I now realized what it’s like for everyone else who doesn’t have that privilege. At this time, after the birth of the first child, the structural crash begins. It’s real, it’s not a joke. You lose the professional connection, the competitiveness and also a bit of humor.

But we certainly don’t have to be satisfied with that. The Russians are trying to fly to the moon with their junk rockets. Naturally, we succeed in designing a family policy that gives parents wings, makes them happy and promotes equality. But in any case, we should not punish the parents for their performance. A little more respect for the next generation would do the Council of States good.

What do you think of 14 weeks of maternity leave in Switzerland? What about four weeks of paternity leave?
You can laugh about that, but I personally recognize the great effort that conservative Switzerland has taken. Let’s keep moving in that direction, the future is on our side. After all, the compatibility of family and work is not utopian! It is already being used in enviably successful countries, see Scandinavia.

Apart from the new Kita law, what else could Switzerland do in terms of childcare?
The better the nurseries are, the better it is for the children. So enforce quality, train well, pay good wages. Happy children grow into wonderful fellow human beings.

You have been a mother yourself for a year. If I interpret your message correctly, does your child not go to daycare? What are your motives for and against Kita?
This is because there is no nursery in our municipality on Lake Geneva. The structures aren’t there, I’ve confused our community president on the phone, he won’t even talk to me anymore. He says there is no room for it and it is too complicated. Meanwhile, the Swiss Air Force flies elegant Chandellen above us, breaking the laws of physics – what can I say, it’s also a generational struggle. The councils of states may be too far removed from our problems. I wait and fight for these petitions. Can we get the Council of States to change its mind? We must succeed in changing their minds!

How do you organize childcare? Are you currently a full-time mother?
Yes, you can say that.

When do you want to go back on stage and how will you organize the guidance?
Time will tell. I’m a bit hesitant, but at the same time, Taylor Swift is going on tour next year anyway, so I think everyone else can safely stay home.

How have you changed since becoming a mother?
So I certainly won’t miss BMI 2023. In other words, I’m a lot fatter than I used to be. For this I learned to be patient, I trained myself to have the patience of an angel. And I can cook now, porridge for example.

Source:Blick