A Mother's Day Message from Melissa
To The Mothers of Latched Mama:
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. You deserve to be celebrated, and I personally hope your Mother's Day is filled with love and gratitude, no matter how you choose to spend this day.
For me, today is about more than celebrating motherhood and all of the amazing things my six beautiful kids have brought to my life. It's a day to acknowledge how far mothers have come, as well as how far we still have to go to be considered equal members of society. So today, I wanted to share with you some information about the current status of motherhood, and the ways that I wish motherhood would be celebrated through action in addition to this beautiful holiday.
I wish for Safe Childbirth: The motherhood mortality rate is the highest it has been since 1965, with black women dying at a rate 2.6 times higher than white women.
I wish for Postpartum Care: Self-harm is the number one cause of death for mothers in the first year of their child's life. Mother's deserve more mental health, lactation, and community support in postpartum.
I wish for Guaranteed Paid Leave: The U.S. is the only developed country without national guaranteed paid maternal leave.
I wish for Affordable Child Care: Child care is not currently affordable for most families in America, and it's costing the economy billions.
I wish for Workplace Equality: Pump breaks and facilities, flexible hours, and remote options all make reentry to the workforce more successful for mothers, and make mothers an equal member of the workplace.
It's a tall order, but I believe we can get there, someday. In the meantime, I will keep doing what I can at Latched Mama to support the mothers that make this incredible community what it is.
For me, today is about more than celebrating motherhood and all of the amazing things my six beautiful kids have brought to my life. It's a day to acknowledge how far mothers have come, as well as how far we still have to go to be considered equal members of society. So today, I wanted to share with you some information about the current status of motherhood, and the ways that I wish motherhood would be celebrated through action in addition to this beautiful holiday.
I wish for Safe Childbirth: The motherhood mortality rate is the highest it has been since 1965, with black women dying at a rate 2.6 times higher than white women.
I wish for Postpartum Care: Self-harm is the number one cause of death for mothers in the first year of their child's life. Mother's deserve more mental health, lactation, and community support in postpartum.
I wish for Guaranteed Paid Leave: The U.S. is the only developed country without national guaranteed paid maternal leave.
I wish for Affordable Child Care: Child care is not currently affordable for most families in America, and it's costing the economy billions.
I wish for Workplace Equality: Pump breaks and facilities, flexible hours, and remote options all make reentry to the workforce more successful for mothers, and make mothers an equal member of the workplace.
It's a tall order, but I believe we can get there, someday. In the meantime, I will keep doing what I can at Latched Mama to support the mothers that make this incredible community what it is.
Happy Mother's Day!
Melissa