American Babies Need Their Parents | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Relationships

American Babies Need Their Parents

And frankly, American parents need paid time off

3
American Babies Need Their Parents
Katie Ketter

When I was pregnant, I was employed by a family owned salon and spa that did not offer paid maternity leave. (I want to make it clear that this article is not about them personally, but about the American system as a whole.) So during my pregnancy, I was forced to save as much as I could in order to be able to stay home with my son. That savings added up to five weeks of maternity leave.

My son's first seven days were spent in the NCIU due to his cord wrapped around his neck and him asperating maconinum. (He breathed in his own poop. Super gross, but cause for great concern due to risk of infection.) I brought home new human and was financially able to spend FOUR WEEKS home with my son who almost died at birth. We had a full 28 days to get to know each other outside of utero before I had to return to work. He and I had to learn how to breastfeed, how to to sneak in a shower/bath, how to sleep for 3-4 hour stretches, how to attempt to communicate, and how to bond. When I went back to work, my vagina was still healing from the unmedicated emergency forcept delivery I had to have in order to save his life. It hurt to sit and stand. I was still trying to acclimate to a breast pump.

But here I was, less than 6 weeks post partum, back on my feet as an esthetician, at a very busy salon and spa, working.

America, we have GOT to wake up as parents and start screaming for maternal and paternal paid leave. Not only for our babies, but for ourselves. Mothers and fathers can not be expected to be "involved parents" without some sort of alleviation of duity from work. We are chastised for raising babies who "stare at iPods", and for "leaving our kids in the hands of strangers to raise". I was lucky, my mother was looking after my son while I was at work, but even then we were compensating her. And I will be frank; no matter how capable the hands you leave your child in, your caregiver is never YOU — their parent.

It is a crime against our future generations and a crime against us to continue this precedent of unpaid maternity and paternity leave. Start calling your Congress person. Start calling your Senators. Pay attention to the Presidential election. Vote for those who are willing to stand up for these basic rights. Do not stay complacent anymore.

American babies deserve time with their parents, and frankly, American parents deserve time with their babies.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
mouse with a cookie

One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone does not try to help their self before asking others. How can someone else be expected to help you if you do not first do that yourself? I'm all about helping those that need it when the time comes, however whenever someone does not even attempt to help him or herself first then that becomes a huge problem. As we all have learned, people tend to take advantage of us in one way or another. I am sure we all read this short story when we were younger and it follows that same principle:

Keep Reading...Show less
39 Traits You Know You Have If You're A Libra
Flickr

If you were born between September 23rd - October 22nd, then you are a Libra. Let's be real, Libras are the best because you are the perfect balance of all things in life. Some may find this boring, but they don't know anything about what it means to be all things at once. As Libras, we hold much on our shoulders that no one can understand. These are traits you know to be true if you are a Libra:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

12 Types Of Drunk Girls You'll See In Every Friend Group

"Getting drunk with your best friends is an experience in and of itself. It takes us on wild and ridiculous adventures with the people we trust with our lives."

1116
friends
Cloud Front

Getting drunk with your best friends is an experience in and of itself. It takes us on wild and ridiculous adventures with the people we trust with our lives. Each one of you plays a vital role in making sure the night goes (relatively) smoothly.

Keep Reading...Show less
Kardashians
Cosmopolitan.com

Finals week is so rude! So, there's no one better to explain it than the Kardashians themselves!

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

14 Types Of Customers In Fast Food

Working in fast-food brings a whole new meaning to customer service.

4538
fast food
google images

While being home for break this week and picking up hours at work, I remember what it is like to in fast food. Although there are many aspects to the job, the customers are always number one priority. Anyone who works in fast food knows that you come across these types of customers AT LEAST once a day:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments