During the past month, the Association Obitelji 3plus engaged in an open dialogue with parents of large families through our digital platforms, inviting them to share their lived experiences and concrete needs. The responses revealed recurring themes that reflect the everyday reality of families with three or more children in Croatia.
Parents frequently highlight the need for more inclusive child benefits, improved access to early childhood education and extended school programmes, and greater flexibility in employment arrangements, particularly the option of part-time work as a genuine choice rather than an exception. Many working families express concern that income thresholds often exclude them from support measures, even though their real financial capacity is significantly affected by housing loans, childcare costs, and the cumulative expenses of raising multiple children. Families with twins or closely spaced children also point to structural gaps in parental leave provisions that do not always reflect the intensity of their caregiving responsibilities.
Beyond financial aspects, a strong sentiment emerging from the discussion is a feeling of limited visibility and recognition. Parents emphasise that large families contribute not only economically but also socially and demographically, yet often perceive themselves as insufficiently acknowledged within public discourse and policy frameworks.
These insights reinforce the importance of grounding demographic and family policies in real, lived experiences. Obitelji 3plus will continue collecting and systematising parents’ feedback as part of our advocacy efforts at both national and European levels. At the same time, this period of listening and reflection marks a moment of internal reassessment for our association.
As we look ahead, we should be preparing strategic steps aimed at strengthening our structure, deepening member engagement, and enhancing our advocacy impact in the coming period.
