New MSF Guidelines on Appropriate Parent-Child Caregiving Boundaries

Child Custody & Maintenance

The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) in Singapore has introduced new guidelines to establish appropriate caregiving boundaries between parents and children.

These guidelines aim to foster healthy relationships and ensure the well-being of children by delineating acceptable behaviours in caregiving practices.

Key Recommendations:

Privacy Respect: Parents are advised to avoid changing clothes in front of their children to maintain personal boundaries.
Appropriate Attire: To promote modesty, it is discouraged to wear revealing clothing at home, such as undergarments or towels, especially in the presence of children.
Bathroom Privacy: Parents should refrain from using the toilet or shower in front of their children to respect personal space and privacy.
Physical Boundaries: To maintain appropriate physical boundaries, children should not be encouraged to sit on their laps or engage in prolonged hugging.
Sleeping Arrangements: Co-sleeping with children is discouraged to foster independence and respect personal space.
Communication Boundaries: Sharing explicit or detailed information about one’s personal life, especially regarding intimate relationships, with children is deemed inappropriate.
Discipline Practices: Physical punishment, such as caning or spanking, is discouraged. Instead, parents are encouraged to adopt positive discipline methods that promote learning and understanding.
Emotional Boundaries: Parents should avoid relying on their children for emotional support in a manner that burdens the child, ensuring that the child’s emotional well-being is prioritised.

These guidelines serve as a framework to help parents navigate caregiving practices that uphold the dignity and respect of both parents and children, fostering a healthy and supportive family environment.