Parenting is a hard job. It can be especially challenging for working mothers, many of whom struggle to find the help they need, even in a two-parent household. Longer time for maternity leave can alleviate some of that pressure – but not every company offers that particular benefit.

Our own Rachel Upshaw wants to change that. This past Tuesday, she traveled to Washington, D.C., along with 50 other mothers from across the U.S. and the District of Columbia, a trip sponsored by the nonprofit organization ZERO TO THREE. Their goal was to ask Congress “to focus on support for flexible and paid time off, increased access to quality child care and increased pediatric care pertaining to childhood development,” as per The Tennessean.

While she was there representing Tennessee, Rachel had coffee with Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander, and met with Rep. Marsha Blackburn. She told her story about the challenges she faces as a working mom, and the difficult decisions she must make every day. Even as someone who has the full support of her family and our firm behind her – support that many working mothers, sadly, do not have – sacrifices and compromises still have to be made every day.

About ZERO TO THREE

ZERO TO THREE is a national nonprofit group that “works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development.” By their estimates, approximately four million children will be born over the next four years, and almost half of them will live in low-income households or in poverty. This kind of stress can negatively impact their development for years, which is why providing them with a safe, stable and loving home during their early childhood plays an important role in their lives.

The group advocates for a national Paid Family Leave program, and to extend Early Head Start programs for infants and toddlers, to help ease the financial burden of childcare on low-income families with working parents. By helping parents access the services and childcare they need, they can help protect their children, reduce their children’s stress levels (as well as their own), and give kids the chance they need to succeed.

All of us at Miller Upshaw Family Law, PLLC, are incredibly proud of Rachel, and of the work she is doing to help kids in Tennessee and across the U.S. We hope that Congress takes the mission of groups like ZERO TO THREE seriously, and starts working on a new plan to help working mothers, fathers and their children.