The voices and lived experiences of parents, families, and early childhood community members are at the heart of our advocacy. Personal stories are among the most powerful tools for influencing lawmakers and shaping policies and budget decisions that affect young children and families. At WTV, we are committed to elevating our members’ experiences and ensuring their stories guide and strengthen our work.
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Every family deserves the support of a doula
All I could do in the weeks after my baby was born was breastfeed and attempt to sleep. Forget about showering! I really struggled with postpartum depression, and without the help of my doula, I wouldn’t have sought out additional care resources for myself. Our babies need care. And so do we.
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Postpartum Depression and Childcare Costs
I always wanted to be the fun mom. Instead I felt wrecked by postpartum depression, unsupported in my time of crisis, and stressed about the cost of childcare even though I worked full time. I always knew I wanted to be a mom, I worked with kids pretty much my entire life. I thought I…
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The Need for Affordable, Quality Childcare
My family could no longer afford quality childcare when our second child was born, since the cost was more than my husband’s salary. We made the difficult decision to transition to a single-income household until our children are both school-aged. My husband now stays at home with our children while I work full-time. It is…
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Educators Do Their Best With What They Have
I think that the most positive thing about being an educator is knowing that I am helping children learn and develop. It is such a great feeling to see the tremendous progress of my kids when they first start in my classroom compared to when it is time for them to move into the next…
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There Aren’t Enough Options for Families
My husband and I work nearly opposite shifts, so we did not need child care everyday. Had we not had help from family and friends, we would have had a difficult time getting childcare due to most places wanting children there more than once or twice a week. Cost is a huge factor for us…
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We Are Not Glorified Babysitters
When I worked in an ECE classroom it was the bond and relationships I formed with the children. Nothing makes your day better than knowing how much of a positive impact you have. Now, working for a larger agency I enjoy knowing that what we do on a daily basis impacts so many young lives…
