When I look at my seven-month-old son Orson, I see pure joy. He laughs whenever we play peek-a-boo, lights up at bedtime when my husband and I read to him together, and greets me every morning with the biggest smile. Those moments are what keep me going.
One of my favorites happened at a picnic recently. Our friend’s toddler came over to play, and Orson grabbed her face and kissed her right on the lips. It was completely unprompted, and the whole backyard melted. That’s who he is, affectionate, social and full of love.
Struggles, Support, and the Need for Change
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.
We don’t have family nearby, so community has been our lifeline. We’ve lived in Queens for over 15 years, and I’m grateful for the parents in our neighborhood. A WhatsApp group keeps us connected—sharing everything from story times at the library to where formula is on sale. It may sound small, but that sense of connection has made all the difference.
Even with that support, I know how lucky I’ve been. I had 14 weeks of parental leave, and I don’t take that for granted. That time was everything. It gave me space to heal, manage postpartum anxiety and depression, and bond with my baby. But I also know 14 weeks isn’t enough, and far too many parents don’t even get that. It breaks my heart that so many families are forced back to work just days after giving birth. It’s inhumane. I believe parental leave should be federally guaranteed. Every family deserves the time to recover and connect, and every baby deserves the best possible start.
Every Baby Deserves the Chance to Thrive
My hope for Orson is simple: that he grows up kind and respectful, embracing people from all walks of life. I want him to know there is love and goodness in the world and that all people are worthy of it. But parents can’t do this alone. Families need time, community, and policies that support them in those earliest years.
That’s why I’m sharing our story through ZERO TO THREE’s Believe in Babies campaign. Babies are born ready, early moments matter, and families thrive when they have support. Orson reminds me of that truth every day.
Every baby deserves the chance to thrive. By believing in babies, and by acting on that belief through supporting paid leave, child care and mental health services, we can create a world where children like Orson grow up surrounded by love, resilience and opportunity.
