Indira Kennedy B.Ed. (psych)’s Post

As part of the Ashoka Social Innovation for Livelihoods program on Systems Change, the story from one of the esteemed guest speakers, Riccarda Zezza Lifeed resonates with this diabolic dilemma of modern society : What does being a mother cost? As Reshma Saujani explains in this poignant video below, we can't continue this facade. If you want to understand the lifetime value of childbirth vs childcare please send a DM with your email address for a one pager. The results will make you question how the very act our survival as a species depends on, is more costly than we can afford. #maternityleave #gender #discrimination #equalpay #paygap #childcare

Let us not forget moms, when talking about mental health. Many moms are struggling and I want to speak to you who is in Leadership - check on the moms that are working in your team. Many of us are feeling that we never do enough - when we are at work, we feel like we should be with our children and when we are with our children , some of us feel the pressure about doing more for the job. Speak to the moms and let them know they are doing a good job and that you support them! #workingmoms #moms #career #mentalhealth #checkin

Two powerful takeaways: “All moms are working moms”and “motherhood is the unfinished business of feminism”.

“All moms are working moms, and none of us are ok. We've all been let down by a system that loves to celebrate us one day of the year and expects us to act as America's around-the-clock social safety net all 365 days of the year, and with none of the structural support that other wealthy nations provide.” Reshma Saujani #OnRepeat #InspiredByYou #parenting “82% of #GenZ Mom’s considered leaving the #workforce last year due to the stress and cost of #childcare.” Motherly® report: https://lnkd.in/euuWPfhm “Women leaving the workforce means less economic #growth (to the tune of losing $650+ billion each year). As a society, we love moms. Except we just don’t seem to love moms in the workforce as much as we love them when they’re ‘momming.’ ‘Momwashing’: claims and depictions of #motherhood that have us believe that all moms are fully valued in society when, in reality, they’re simply not. We have to fight…to have the #opportunity for equal economic freedom on top of other freedoms.” Sallie Krawcheck  https://lnkd.in/eshSa93d #SheisSomeone Respect Victoria image here: https://lnkd.in/epQMzfAt Women have been boxed out of economic freedom and we are going to have to organize & fight for our right to not just have a seat at the table but to grow in #power & #influence. “We cannot compete in the global #economy if we dont use everybody’s talent!" Hillary Clinton at the #MomsFirstSummit in previous post: https://lnkd.in/e8Ah6UKB To shift the #narrative & accelerate #progress, we have to #work to #FloodTheFeed with voices, #storytelling and #leadership that reflects the future we desire. #Talent is an asset class! We must #InvestDifferent. #Together #investing #government #leadership #boardsofdirectors #culture #innovation #strategy #jobs #law #philanthropy #diversity #equity #inclusion #belonging #cultureofmoney

As a entrepreneur and a mom of one, I often find myself navigating the unique challenges that come with balancing a career and motherhood. It's not just about the number of children we have; it's about the responsibilities we carry and the support systems we build. Every mom’s journey is valid, and we all need support. It’s crucial to recognize that all moms are working moms, regardless of whether they stay at home or juggle careers. We’ve all been let down by a system that celebrates us one day a year but expects us to act as the social safety net without the necessary structural support. This is the motherhood conversation we should be having. We need to chip away at the idea that moms have to do everything alone. Instead we need to foster a sense of motherhood akin to a sisterhood or brotherhood as stated here so eloquently by Reshma Saujani Let's come together, support each other, and push for the changes that will help all moms succeed. #workingmoms #entrepreneur #success #PaidFamilyLeave #ChildCare #BuildTheVillage #coaching

Just today, in a Fifth Trimester speaking engagement, I talked about how important it is to bust out of our "bubbles of normal" -- the sense that we have in our workplaces, industries, and country about How Things Should Be for working parents. As soon as you connect with someone outside of that bubble and learn that their normal is NOT your normal -- that we deserve more support, much! -- we can all make progress together. That was just the idea behind this brilliant private/public working event, "Exploring Global Strategies to Support Families with Young Children," dreamed up by Maya Uppaluru Mechenbier, Amira Choueiki Boland and their team at the White House's United States Digital Service, and proudly co-hosted by The Commonwealth Fund and Chamber of Mothers (with my beloved colleagues, Erin Erenberg, Deshi Singh, Ashlee Palmieri, and Raena Boston). Now, here's the big output doc of recommendations that can and should get American parents out of our bubbles of normal to see how paid leave, maternal mental health support, healthier birth, child care are working -- really working! -- in other countries whose models we can adapt and employ. There are SO many great programs here. Please, check them out! PS: My table's idea: What if, in addition to disability leave and bonding leave, our U.S. family leave standards included 2 weeks specifically for mental health leave? Let's normalize that!

Explore the joys and challenges of modern fatherhood in my latest blog post! Discover strategies for redefining traditional roles, prioritizing family time, and advocating for policy changes to strengthen bonds with your children. https://lnkd.in/di43Snjb #Fatherhood #Parenting #FamilyBonding

New parenthood can be isolating, but it doesn't have to be! ⛅ Could "baby happy hour" be the solution we've all been waiting for? 🍹 Read the full story below: https://lnkd.in/eeXpdkxu #parentingtips #parentingsupport #parentingadvice #parentingcoach #ParentingExpert #parentinghelp #parentcoach

Can one ever grow tired of saying the same thing over and over again??! Yes. The answer is a resounding yes. Especially when the numbers/statistics/just plain facts point to a downward trend towards no improvement. Well…here I go again. Tirelessly. Once again saying - no one is coming to save us mothers. Grab some fabric, needle and thread, take a breath and get working on your own cape. No one is coming to save you. Or me. Or us. We must take action and implement strategy to save ourselves, our families and our livelihoods. One step at a time. Founding Cowo & Crèche is my first step. What’s yours? #childcarecrisis #betterbusiness #bettertogether #startuplife #alexandriava #northernvirginia #momsinbusiness

All of our family set ups are different, and the decisions we make if we are in a couple, or even when co-parenting, will be influenced by our professional roles. But here are a few examples of gendered internal narratives I hear from mothers participating in our research and interactions at The MTPT Project. How many resonate with you, and which ones do you want to challenge in your own thinking, or within your own family unit? Mothers think: "Is it worth *me* going back to work after maternity leave if childcare costs so much? *My* whole wage will go on nursery / childminder fees." Instead of... "Going back to work is going to represent a budgeting shift for *us* as a *family unit*. *We* need to sit down and figure out how *our* outgoings and income is going to change, and discuss what the best options are for *us* as a *family*." Mothers think: "If *my* child gets sick, *I'm* going to have to take time off to look after them. My boss will think *I'm* a slacker, and *I'll* let my team down. *I* better talk to *my* mum / friends / sister to see how they can help *me*." Instead of... "*Our* child is probably going to get sick, because they're a human being not a robot. Now that *our* family context is changing and I'm going back to paid work, *we* need to agree upon a game plan based on the demands of *our* roles, and the support *we* can tap into." Mothers think: "*I'm* not sure *I* can balance full-time teaching and the domestic load at home. Going part-time will allow *me* to have the balance *I* need and feel like a good mum and a good teacher." Instead of... "Balancing full-time jobs and *our* domestic load is overwhelming. *We* need to work out a strategy that works *for both of us* to cope and feel equally fulfilled at work and as if *we* are pulling our weight at home." The outcomes of these conversations will be as different as the family set-ups within our community. But are our assumptions and ingrained gendered thinking stopping us from even having the conversation in the first place?