Rant about the lack of childcare/support for working families




Childcare issues in the United States are at the forefront of every parent/grandparent's mind. Today, Holly's teacher is out sick, so her entire class has no school-- but it's not a snow day, so I am going to work. Her father will be taking an unpaid day off to stay home. There are no babysitters-- people work. The entire situation just throws things into high relief: what are we, one of the wealthiest nations in the world, doing to working families? And I mean that literally. Doing TO, not doing FOR. Years ago, when women didn't work outside of the home, I suppose it was easier. But today, women do work. Most have to. And so do most grandparents. I recall years and years ago that the retirement age was a lot lower-- grands have to work until 67 (my age group), and the government wants to mandate it to be 70, or even later. There is a huge gap that the GOP is not discussing-- or wait, they are-- that statement about grandparents filling that role made by JD Vance still rankles. He has no damned idea. Most of them don't. This is why it is so dangerously blind to keep voting in people who have not had to face the working family realities that most of us have to face. 

For most working women, there is still the wealth gap, too. Taking time out of a career path to care for children or the elderly interrupts the trajectory of earnings. Or they have to take/settle for jobs that are more flexible, but pay less. Or they are seen as unreliable because they have to take time off to deal with child/elderly parents' needs. The inequities are entrenched, and there are far too many privileged people in charge --including some women-- who don't want to address this issue. 

Okay, end rant. I have to get ready for work. It's ten below zero again. I'm cold. 

Hold your loved ones close. We all matter.

C

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