How Did We Get Here?
You've probably noticed that child care has been struggling for a while now. There's just not enough money going into it, which means there aren't many good programs available, and a lot of families can't afford the ones that do exist. Child care workers often end up earning very little because they can only charge what families can pay. And when COVID-19 hit, things got even worse.
In 2020, child care centers closed, schools went online, and loads of moms had to leave their jobs. We were hopeful that lawmakers would step up and make child care more affordable and accessible for everyone, but progress has been slow. Regardless of whether they work or not, moms still end up doing most of the caregiving.
Even before the pandemic, there weren't enough child care workers because the job just wasn't valued enough, and the pay wasn't great. Now, it's even harder for parents to find child care they can afford and trust. And this makes it tough for parents, especially moms, to get back to work, which isn't helping our country's economy bounce back.
As parents, we all want the best for our kids. We want them to be safe, happy, and thriving. But figuring out child care can feel overwhelming sometimes. That's where child care advocacy comes in – it's all about giving parents like you the power to shape a better future for your kids.
Your Role in Child Care Advocacy:
As a parent, you've got a unique perspective on child care because you're living it every day. By getting involved in advocacy efforts, like attending meetings and sharing your experiences, you make sure that your voice is heard when decisions about child care are being made. And it's not just up to the government to fix things – employers can help too.
They could offer benefits like:
Child care at work
Help with paying for child care
Deals with local daycares to make child care more affordable
These kinds of benefits make life a lot easier for working parents like you. And there's more that employers could do, like offering flexible work hours or the option to work from home, which would make juggling work and child care a whole lot easier.
Teaming Up for Change:
When parents, policymakers, and community groups work together, we can make a real difference in the world of child care. By teaming up with local government, businesses, and nonprofits, we can get more funding and support for child care programs. Talking to the people who make decisions about child care is super important. You can meet with elected officials, join advocacy groups, and even talk to your boss about ways your workplace could support working parents better.
So, What Can You Do?
By understanding how important child care advocacy is and getting involved, you can help create a world where every child gets the care and support they need to thrive. Let's work together to make sure that happens - schedule a consultation meeting with us, and we'll help you plan your personal advocacy efforts for impactful change.
Talk soon!
Paige
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