Katherine’s story is a clear message to policymakers: parents should not have to choose between work and food, or between their children’s care and their future.
One where her children can focus on their schoolwork, sports, and personal development without the background stress of financial insecurity. One where she can focus on her job with confidence, knowing her youngest is thriving in a high-quality early learning environment. Instead, like so many parents across the country, she is caught in a cycle of sacrifice, doing everything she can to hold her family together. One where her children can focus on their schoolwork, sports, and personal One where her children can focus on their schoolwork, sports, and personal
When I come and wake him up in the morning, when I first turn on the lights and look him right in the eyes, his face just lights up. Biggest smile. It’s the best.
Katherine dreams of a better reality.
One where her children can focus on their schoolwork, sports, and personal development without the background stress of financial insecurity. One where she can focus on her job with confidence, knowing her youngest is thriving in a high-quality early learning environment. Instead, like so many parents across the country, she is caught in a cycle of sacrifice, doing everything she can to hold her family together.
One where her children can focus on their schoolwork, sports, and personal development without the background stress of financial insecurity. One where she can focus on her job with confidence, knowing her youngest is thriving in a high-quality early learning environment. Instead, like so many parents across the country, she is caught in a cycle of sacrifice, doing everything she can to hold her family together.
Katherine dreams of a better reality.
But becoming Orson’s mom hasn’t been easy. I developed pre-eclampsia when he was born, which made breastfeeding impossible the way I had hoped. He arrived three weeks early, struggled with colic, and cried for weeks on end. There were nights when I felt like I was failing. What got me through was therapy, other moms reminding me I wasn’t alone, and my husband’s constant support when I broke down in tears.
If childcare were affordable and accessible, everything would change, If childcare were affordable and accessible, everything would change
This is why Katherine and her daughter Katalina joined Strolling Thunder, ZERO TO THREE’s national advocacy event powered by the Think Babies campaign. They are urging Congress to increase funding for child care through the Child Care and Development Block Grant and to support programs like Head Start. They are also advocating for the protection of essential supports such as TANF, SSBG, and child care tax credits that many families rely on.
Impact information goes here.
But becoming Orson’s mom hasn’t been easy. I developed pre-eclampsia when he was born, which made breastfeeding impossible the way I had hoped. He arrived three weeks early, struggled with colic, and cried for weeks on end. There were nights when I felt like I was failing. What got me through was therapy, other moms reminding me I wasn’t alone, and my husband’s constant support when I broke down in tears.
Katherine dreams of a better reality.
One where her children can focus on their schoolwork, sports, and personal development without the background stress of financial insecurity. One where she can focus on her job with confidence, knowing her youngest is thriving in a high-quality early learning environment. Instead, like so many parents across the country, she is caught in a cycle of sacrifice, doing everything she can to hold her family together.
One where her children can focus on their schoolwork, sports, and personal development without the background stress of financial insecurity. One where she can focus on her job with confidence, knowing her youngest is thriving in a high-quality early learning environment. Instead, like so many parents across the country, she is caught in a cycle of sacrifice, doing everything she can to hold her family together.
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