Parenthood is a journey unlike any other. It's a beautiful, messy mix of unbridled joy, unconditional love, and a whole lot of hustle. Yep, amidst the lullabies and giggles, there's an undeniable truth: being a parent is hard. It's a constant push - a relentless juggle of work, family, self-care, and the ever-present desire to do everything perfectly.
But couple that with the fact that American parents are totally unsupported, and that three in 10 women will quit their jobs within a year of having a baby, and this inherent push is precisely why we are joining Bobbie and Naomi Osaka for "Parents Push Harder." It's a call to action around a critical issue plaguing American families – the lack of paid parental leave.
The American Parenting Disadvantage
The United States stands alone among developed nations in not offering federally mandated paid parental leave. This policy shortcoming creates a significant burden on families, especially in the crucial newborn stage. Without paid leave, new parents face an agonizing choice – prioritize their child's well-being and potentially jeopardize their job security, or return to work prematurely, missing irreplaceable bonding time and putting their own physical and mental health at risk. It’s a postpartum Sophie’s Choice.
Why Paid Leave Matters
Paid parental leave isn't just a benefit; it's a necessity. Studies have shown it leads to numerous positive outcomes, not just for families, but for society as a whole:
- Improved Child Development: Studies suggest that extended parental leave, particularly for fathers, can lead to better cognitive development and emotional well-being in children.
- Stronger Maternal Health: The postpartum period is a crucial time for a mother's physical and mental health. Paid leave allows for better recovery and reduces the risk of postpartum depression.
- Increased Workforce Participation: Paid leave policies can encourage mothers to stay in the workforce, leading to greater gender equality and a more robust economy.
- Reduced Reliance on Public Assistance: Paid leave can help families avoid relying on public assistance programs, leading to cost savings overall.
Nanit Stands with Parents
At Nanit, we believe that parents deserve all the support we can get, and we are proud to partner with Bobbie’s "Parents Push Harder" campaign. While our suite of smart parenting products offer innovative features that provide peace of mind and support parents during those precious early years, we recognize that technological solutions alone can't solve the challenges parents face.
That's why we actively support organizations advocating for paid parental leave policies. We believe that every parent deserves the opportunity to bond with their newborn child without the burden of financial worry. Through the Parents Push Harder Campaign, we are able to actively support families whose struggles capture the state of leave in the United States. While we can only help so much, we’re grateful to call awareness to this broader issue through their stories, below.
Ashlyn Murray
“My husband had recently been honorably discharged from the Navy when we unexpectedly (but happily) found out we were expecting. At five months pregnant, I graduated with my bachelors degree. My husband transitioned to a civilian job and we both worked full time. Because we had just relocated when I found out I was pregnant and started a new job, I was not eligible for short term disability at time of delivery. I worked up until I was 41 weeks, trying to save every penny. My husband went back to work when my son was a week old and I thought I was going to die of sleep deprivation doing all the night wakings on my own since he was at work. It didn’t matter that my husband was busting his butt working despite being an exhausted new parent.
We fell behind and didn’t have enough to make rent. We barely had enough to eat. We made the difficult decision to move again and had to spend a year living with my mother in law, very much at the expense of my mental health. Having our son set us so far back financially that we, a veteran and a speech therapist, could not afford a home for a whole year. We struggle now and are pregnant again. I am grateful, but once again facing the fact that my employer (school district!) offers NO paid leave. The anxiety keeps me up at night.”
Wendy McClendon
“I found out I was pregnant at eight weeks. At the time, I was full swing into my career as a full time freelance fashion stylist/assistant fashion stylist in Los Angeles. At 12 weeks my midwife told me I couldn’t lift over 20 pounds. I was devastated because I was planning on really grinding my second trimester to save up for leave, as I do not get any paid leave being freelance. My partner had to work as much as possible to try to make up for my lack of pay throughout the rest of my pregnancy and until now.
My baby is one-and-a-half and we have never received any maternal or paternal leave or pay. I have had no choice but to put my career, which I love so much, on hold. I went from thriving in my career to struggling to even buy necessities such as diapers. Federal paid leave would have helped immensely not only financially but emotionally. It takes a toll on new parents to have to make these sacrifices and tough decisions surrounding our careers and new family dynamics but we do what we have to for our children.”
Dasia Allen
“My job was in the process of signing the new contract to make paid maternity leave last three months. They previously only gave two weeks. I gave birth a couple weeks before they signed off on it. And I had a c-section. I work for New York City transit, where we have some of the dirtiest working conditions. I had to go back two weeks after being cut seven layers open. I refused to. I went out on Unpaid FMLA. Literally struggled to pay my bills for the next six months and borrowed from my family. So now, upon my return to work, I’m still struggling because now I’m working to pay my bills and to pay back my family. I went into depression because it just felt like it was always something and things were piling up. Federal paid leave would have made things easier.”
Taking Action: How You Can Help
The "Parents Push Harder" campaign is more than just a marketing initiative; it's a call to action. Here are some ways you can get involved and make a difference:
- Sign Petitions: Our work isn’t done yet — we need your signature to get this in front of policymakers. Sign Paid Leave For All x Glamour’s paid leave petition to pass paid leave at the link in bio and find out other ways to join us in this work.
- Educate Yourself: Learn more about the benefits of paid parental leave and the current policies in the United States. Resources like the National Partnership for Women & Families offer valuable information.
- Raise Awareness: Share Bobbie's campaign and message with your friends and family. Spark conversations about the importance of paid leave.
- Contact Your Representatives: Let your elected officials know that you support paid parental leave policies. Voice your concerns and urge them to take action.
- Support Brands that Care: Choose companies that demonstrate a commitment to supporting parents and advocating for positive change.
Together, we can create a world where parents are empowered to push harder for their families, not because they have to, but because they can. Visit Bobbie to learn more about the "Parents Push Harder" campaign and find out how you can get involved.
