Latest news with #MomsFirst
Forbes
14-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
Give Dads The Gift Of Time: The Push For Paid Leave This Father's Day
NYC June 5th- Future of Fatherhood Summit 'There's not that much for the dad to do.' It's a comment that might seem fitting of an era long gone, but for Deborah Singer's husband, it was a comment made in earnest in a professional setting right before the birth of their first child. For her husband it was a typical careless remark, For Singer, a longtime advocate and campaigner for family policies, it was a moment that cemented everything that's wrong with how we think about fatherhood and parenting in America. The cost of which impacts not only fathers, their partners and their children but also the gender gap. It was a comment that lit a fire in Stringer, who, as Chief Marketing Officer at Moms First, is on a mission to transform a culture that has long sidelined dads and, in the process, overburdened moms. The impacts of which extend beyond any one family, but perpetuate the gender gap and deepen inequality at every level. Last week I sat down with Singer to take about her hopes this Fathers Day, what it will take to reimagine the role dads play across the nation and why the fight for paid leave can't be won with moms alone. "I think people tend to know like, 'oh, paid leave is great, but they may not understand why," says Singer, 'especially regarding dads. We have seen that the data is clear, but the cultural baggage is even clearer,' This data refers to a study from Moms First and McKinsey, which revealed that while 90% of dads in states with paid leave are eligible for paternity leave, only 25% avail of it, equating to an estimated $1.6 billion in unclaimed entitlements. "Men are more likely to be eligible than women because they're in the workforce at higher rates," said Singer. "But they're much less likely to take their leave." Yet the reason is not what many would assume it to be. The reluctance is not political or financial; it is cultural. "The number one reason they told us they weren't taking leave is that culture told them it was optional for them, particularly if their partner took it," Singer shares. And that message, whether subtle or overt, has broad consequences. "It leads to an unequal division of labor at home," she continues, "and it hurts dads, too. It impacts their connection to their babies, the amount of childcare they do throughout their lives, and even their mental health." Reshma Saujani CEO Moms First, Gary Barker CEO Equimundo NYC June 5th 2025 Singer and the team at Moms are determined to change that. This year, to celebrate Father's Day, they partnered with Equimundo to create a first-of-its-kind gathering to unpack the cultural realities and expectations fathers face. On June 5th, they hosted the 'Future of Fatherhood Summit' in New York City,' which aimed to close the "fatherhood leave gap." The fight to raise awareness of the broad societal impacts of paid leave has been at the cornerstone of Moms First. CEO Reshma Saujani has been a leading voice in the national fight for federal and state policies to make childcare more accessible and affordable. In late 2023, they launched a first-of-its-kind chatbot designed to help families navigate leave entitlements in applicable states. Yet Saujani and the team at Moms First have acknowledged that this movement missed a key cultural lever in focusing its messaging at moms." As Singer explains, "We know that a rising tide lifts all boats, and dads will do better when moms do better; it's not the zero-sum game they want us to fear." NYC Sept 5 2024- Reshma Saujani,asks President Donald Trump about his ideas for addressing the cost ... More of childcare in the US at an event for the Economic Club of New York. The challenge, however, is where to begin rewriting a script as old as time, which has always cast mothers as the sole caregivers for infants. At Moms First, they know that the only way to begin to change culture is to first truly understand it, its pressure points and nuances, so they partnered with Blue Rose Research to ask the question, ' What is the strongest reason for men to take paternity leave?' "We expected the economic arguments to win," said Singer. "Things like, 'I already pay into the system' or 'I'll save on childcare by being at home.' But instead, the messages that moved dads the most were all about connection." The most powerful message was about being a partner in recovery to my spouse," Singer explains. "The second was about my connection to my child. And the third was about showing a different model of care for my family." Blue Rose Research - sample April, 2025 Population: 3,376 Responses from likely voters 18-40 years ... More old in CA, CO, NJ, NY For the team at Moms First, what also surprised them from the data was the rare show of political consensus: "Across every line that normally divides us, college-educated or not, Republican or Democrat, men or women, the top messages were the same," Singer shares. Republican men and Democratic women both thought that being there for my spouse was the best reason for men to take leave, which was really surprising to us." This data reinforces that when it relates to one of the most primitive experiences in a man's life, the most powerful message is that of basic human connection, one that resonates deeply, regardless of who's hearing it. Armed with this data, Moms First are on a mission to rewrite the script. They want to drive the paternity leave narrative away from 'a nice to have,' Singer shares that Moms First is launching a campaign to shift the narrative from luxury to legacy. This campaign will target Dads, meeting them where they already are online. Using social media and internet campaigns, they plan to use storytelling to share a different image to the one society has conditioned us to see. A message that avoids stats, shame, or pressure tactics and instead focuses on what matters most: the power of presence and human connection. Singer shares that this is a campaign grounded in real stories of real fathers, sharing real moments because to shift policy, you have to change perception, and what better way to do so than through the stories that shape us? She explains, "The truth is, bonding with your child isn't weak. Taking leave isn't optional, and we are never going to win any of the fights we care about, childcare, paid leave, economic equity, without men." So this Father's Day, maybe the best gift for dads is right under our noses: the gift of time. As Singer puts it, let's retire the dad tropes and work to create a culture that treats fatherhood as more than a footnote but an equal partner in caregiving, and a society where paternity leave is not just a perk but a natural and respected fixture in family life.
Mint
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mint
Meghan Markle opens up about pregnancy weight, stilettos, and motherhood in podcast season finale
Meghan Markle has opened up about her pregnancies with Archie and Lilibet in the heartfelt finale of her podcast, Confessions of a Female Founder. The Duchess of Sussex spoke honestly about the changes she went through, both physically and emotionally, during those times. In the final episode of her podcast - Confessions of a Female Founder, Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle shared that she gained 65 pounds during both pregnancies. Despite this, she still wore five-inch heels while attending royal engagements. 'A friend just said to me the other day, they were like, 'I just saw this picture I'd forgotten about when you were so pregnant with Archie,'' she recalled. 'I always wear my five-inch, pointy-toed stilettos.' She laughed as she described how her friend reacted to the photo. ''You have the most enormous bump and your tiny little ankles are bracing themselves in these high heels,'' Meghan said. 'All my weight was in the front. So you're just going, how on Earth am I not just tipping, you know, face planting?' She added, 'I was clinging very closely to my husband, like, 'Please don't let me fall.'' During her pregnancy with Archie in 2019, Meghan carried out many public duties as a senior royal. With Lilibet in 2021, she was living in California and kept things more private. Tuesday's (May 27) episode marked the end of her podcast's first season, which launched on April 8. Throughout the season, Meghan welcomed a group of inspiring female founders, including some of her close friends. Some of the people she invited were Whitney Wolfe Herd of Bumble, Reshma Saujani of Girls Who Code and Moms First, Kadi Lee of Highbrow Hippie, Jamie Kern Lima of IT Cosmetics and The Jamie Kern Lima Show, Hannah Mendoza of Clevr Blends, Heather Hasson of FIGS and Cassandra Morales Thurswell of Kitsch. The podcast runs alongside the launch of Meghan's new lifestyle brand, As ever, which blends wellness, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
A push to pay parents to stay home is gaining traction—but moms say what they really need is child care they can afford
A new wave of family policy proposals is coming out of Washington, and they sound like a throwback. Several high-profile politicians—including Senators J.D. Vance and Josh Hawley—are advocating for bigger child tax credits and incentives for stay-at-home parenting. Their pitch? Reversing America's declining birth rate by making it easier for one parent (usually mom) to be home with the kids. But what moms are actually saying is: it's not that simple. Related: Parental leave isn't enough The proposal, as reported in The New York Times, suggests eliminating child care tax credits and instead giving direct financial support to families. For example, Hawley wants to expand the child tax credit to $5,000 per child, while Representative Blake Moore is pushing to remove the work requirement tied to existing tax credits—so stay-at-home parents could also benefit. It's all part of what these lawmakers call a 'family-focused' approach—favoring more time at home over solutions that support working parents. But critics argue it does nothing to fix the core problems facing today's families: sky-high child care costs, the lack of paid family leave, and a labor market built on the assumption of a stay-at-home spouse most modern families simply don't have. Let's be real: This isn't about choice if moms can't afford to make one. As the cost of child care now averages over $11,000 per year per child—double that in some cities—most American households can't survive on a single income. Nearly two-thirds of mothers in two-parent households work outside the home, not because they don't want to be home, but because the math doesn't add up. Advocates for paid leave and subsidized child care, like Moms First founder Reshma Saujani, have called the proposed credits a distraction. 'No medals, no PR stunts,' she said. 'People need child care and paid leave.' Related: 'We weren't meant to do this alone': A mom's viral video on why parenting feels so hard in the U.S. Even among moms who want to stay home, the proposed tax credits—$5,000 or so—don't come close to replacing a full-time income. As one Ohio mom told the Times: 'It's pennies when you need dollars.' This isn't just about birth rates or personal preference. It's about policy that reflects how families actually live now—most with two working parents, limited support, and an overwhelming mental load. Subsidized child care We don't need a tax credit instead of care—we need support that makes child care accessible, safe, and high-quality. Paid family leave The U.S. is still one of the only wealthy countries without guaranteed paid leave. That's not a coincidence—it's a crisis. Real workplace flexibility From hybrid schedules to equitable parental leave, we need jobs that reflect the lives of working families—not an idealized version of the past. Because the real family values? They look like parents who are supported—at work and at home.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Addressing the childcare affordability crisis for parents, families
Childcare costs are squeezing families as prices keep rising, forcing some families to make some tough choices. Moms First founder and CEO Reshma Saujani joins Wealth host Brad Smith to break down why the childcare system is broken and what needs to change, namely, affordability and how businesses can advocate for these policies. To watch more expert insights and analysis on the latest market action, check out more Wealth here. Well, Americans are struggling under the weight of child care costs, prices for tuition, other school fees and child care. Guess what, it rose a tenth of a percent in April, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics and it's up 3.6% from last year. We see a similar story with daycare and preschool prices. Although flat last month, they are up 5.4% from last year. Joining me now on set to discuss, we've got Reshma Saujani, who is the founder and CEO of Moms First. Moms First is a non-profit that advocates for policies to support working women. Great to have you here with us in studio. Great to be here. So let's discuss this, especially as we're thinking about the state of childcare costs for households right now and where we're still seeing some of those price pressures really impact the household budget. Yeah, well, listen, I mean parents have always been in crisis when it comes to the cost of childcare. 55% of parents are in debt because of the cost of childcare. That is, if you're going to find it. You know, we're sitting here in New York City, every single burrow in New York City is a childcare desert, right? And so most women, in particular, have to choose between like funding their daycare and feeding their babies, which is unconscionable. And so parents are desperate to not be priced out of parenthood and to, you know, implore upon leaders to reduce the cost of childcare. And we are at Moms First have been really working to kind of build that voice, put the pressure on politicians to actually do something about it. What have you found in in your own discussions that you've been having that the research, as well, that's been carried out that is keeping the costs so high? Well, I mean, it's just fundamentally expensive, right? The business model of childcare is broken, right? And even the way, I think regulation is a big issue. For example, in in New York, you have to have a childcare center on the bottom floor. Even though kids live in high rises, doesn't make sense and makes it incredibly expensive. We are not paying childcare workers enough at all. You know, most of them are barely making a living wage. And so when it comes to, like again, the business model of childcare, it's broken. So somebody has to provide the subsidy. Is it going to be businesses, because workers can't work without childcare? Or is it going to be the government? Or is it going to be both? And I would say it should be yes and. And so with that in mind, we've often seen to your point, many businesses try to figure out as a talent acquisition or retention strategy, how they can lessen the load for some parents. Are those tactics and strategies that many businesses have put forward, are they still applicable? Where do they need to also improve and perhaps go a little bit further? I mean, we just need more. I mean we have a at Moms First, we have a National Business Coalition on Childcare, over 200 businesses. We took 80 of them to Washington a few weeks ago to kind of lobby Congress to do more in the tax bill. For example, on 45F CDCTC, the CDCTC. And so I think businesses have to continue to provide the subsidy, if if government isn't going to get it done, if government is going to continue to leave behind parents, then businesses need to step up. In addition to that, businesses have to become advocates for policy, right? Like we have to make childcare affordable, period. You know, last September, I got a commitment from President Trump that he was going to make childcare affordable. His viewpoint on this was that once I put in place tariffs, the cost of childcare will go down. We just saw, that's not happening, right? The CPI index today said the cost of childcare is increasing, while inflation is staying flat. So this administration is not making good on their promises to working families to reduce the costs. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marie Claire & Moms First Celebrate Inaugural Power Moms List
Power Moms Ceremony in NYC Power Moms Ceremony in NYC Power Moms Ceremony in NYC Power Moms Ceremony in NYC The Star-Studded Ceremony Took Place on May 7 at Café Carmellini in New York City Power Moms Honorees Included: Gabrielle Union, Kali Uchis, Deepika Padukone, Cherelle Griner, Olympia Gayot and Bobbie Co-Founders Laura Modi and Sarah Hardy Presenters & Speakers Included: Nikki Ogunnaike, Reshma Saujani, Michelle Ruiz, Deirdre Maloney, Cheryl Gregory and Sade Lythcott Sponsors Included: Carolina Herrera Fragrance, Katie Kime, Glo2Facial by Geneo, EltaMD Skin Care, PCA SKIN, MAM baby and Dagne Dover NEW YORK, May 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last night Future's premium women's lifestyle brand Marie Claire and national nonprofit Moms First celebrated the inaugural Power Moms List recognizing seven women across entertainment, fashion, and business who are redefining what it means to be a mother and a leader. Co-hosted by Nikki Ogunnaike, Marie Claire U.S. Editor in Chief, and Reshma Saujani, Founder of both Moms First and Girls Who Code, the awards ceremony followed the earlier unveiling of Marie Claire's first-ever digital Motherhood Issue, formally announcing the full list of Power Moms and debuting three covers, each showcasing a separate honoree: actress and entrepreneur Gabrielle Union, singer-songwriter Kali Uchis, and award-winning actress, producer and mental health advocate Deepika Padukone. The additional Power Moms honorees include Bobbie infant formula Co-Founders Laura Modi and Sarah Hardy, attorney Cherelle Griner, and Creative Director and Head of Design at Olympia Gayot. By partnering with Moms First for the Motherhood Issue and Power Moms list, Marie Claire is helping to celebrate and honor what it means to be a modern mom in America, documenting the real impact mothers of all ages and stages have had in shaping their individual families, the workforce and the future. 'At Marie Claire, we spotlight the women moving culture forward - and we know you can't tell the story of progress without telling the story of moms,' said Marie Claire Editor in Chief Nikki Ogunnaike. 'The Power Moms are a diverse group of actors, activists, business leaders, and musicians who, despite their different fields, have one thing in common: motherhood isn't a limitation, it's part of their legacy.' 'Women are sold a false choice: be a tradwife or a girlboss,' explains Founder of Moms First and Girls Who Code Reshma Saujani. 'Choose your family or your ambition. But most moms will tell you — their reality is somewhere in the middle. At Moms First, that's exactly what we fight for every day: the cultural and structural support we need like paid leave, affordable childcare, and the ability to move in and out of the work force without penalty.' Following cocktails and opening remarks, an intimate dinner and awards ceremony took place where Power Moms honorees accepted their awards and shared inspiring stories of motherhood with an audience of influential moms breaking barriers and creating a brighter future across their own industries. The glass Power Moms awards featured an etching of Back Home, original art by Voltz Clarke Gallery artist and mom of three Katy Ferrarone. Visit Marie Claire to view the digital Motherhood Issue and check out the latest coverage around this year's Power Moms at MORE INFORMATION:Instagram: @Momsfirstus, @MarieClaireMag Download event images here: Photo credits: Breanna Johnson & Madeleine Thomas / About Moms First:Moms First is a national non-profit organization fighting for America's moms founded by Reshma Saujani, who is also the founder of Girls Who Code. Moms First organization is dedicated to advancing policies that support moms, like affordable child care and paid family leave, while spearheading a movement to reposition motherhood and these policies as economic imperatives that allow families to thrive. Cultural change and building a movement is central to the organization's work. Moms First events, campaigns and thought leadership break through the noise to garner national media attention, shape the cultural and political zeitgeist, and mobilize America's moms and allies to become activists on these issues. About Marie Claire, a Future Company:Marie Claire is committed to celebrating the richness and scope of women's lives. Reaching millions of readers every month through print, digital, video, and social platforms, Marie Claire is known for its fashion and beauty coverage, award-winning features, buzzy interviews, and more. Media Inquiries/Hi-res Image Requests: PR@ Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
