Families in which grandmothers help with children wanted to fine

In Chuvashia, officials threatened fines for families in which grandparents look after children

The department for guardianship and trusteeship of the Cheboksary administration sent a letter to school directors with a request to collect information about families in which grandparents are looking after children. How writes “Kommersant”, the head of the department Larisa Ilyina, in this letter stated the inadmissibility of leaving children under the supervision of relatives other than their parents, and asked schools to hold a conversation with parents on the topic of “legal registration of guardianship in the event of their prolonged absence” and threaten citizens with fines for “non-compliance by parents their duties.”

The letter, dated March 14, became known from State Duma deputy Irina Filatova. The parliamentarian described the initiative of the Chuvash official as “dangerous and immoral initiative” and addressed Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova and Children’s Ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova, as well as the head of Chuvashia Oleg Nikolaev. In his appeal, the deputy writes that interpreting parents’ appeal to other relatives for help with their children as “leaving them in danger” is “a cynical distortion of the norms of legislation on the protection of the family and traditional values.” She also noted that raising children with the involvement of grandparents is a national tradition. The deputy fears that “awareness of the need for personal, continuous presence next to the child” for the future parent may become an argument against having children.

Deputy head of the Cheboksary administration Tatyana Ivanova told reporters that an inspection had begun and, based on its results, “violations may be identified in the actions of the initiative official.” At the same time, in the official telegram channel of the administration, they stated that the guardianship authority was only reminding “the strict need for responsible parenthood” and that when going to work in another region or undergoing long-term treatment in a hospital, parents must formalize guardianship, otherwise “children suffer due to sluggishness.” adults.”

The Commissioner for Children’s Rights in Tatarstan, Irina Volynets, told Kommersant that she considers the initiative of Chuvash officials to be “obviously excessive” and creating the basis for “distortions.”