Moms First

🍎 We just launched Child Care First NYC! 🍎 Call us crazy, but we think New Yorkers should be able to afford raising kids in New York. Right now, families are paying up to $40,000 a year for child care—more than rent or college tuition—and half are going into debt just to afford it. This isn’t only a parenting problem. It’s an economic crisis, and it's costing the city $23 billion annually in lost productivity and tax revenue. That’s why we're making child care THE issue of the 2025 NYC mayoral race. Because if the next mayor wants to lead on affordability, they need to put child care first. Here’s how you can help: 📢 Share this with a New Yorker—your network matters. ✍️ Sign the petition to demand action: https://lnkd.in/eAVFPbBn New York can’t afford to wait—and neither can its families. #ChildCareFirstNYC

This teacher is 38 weeks pregnant and about to start her maternity leave. Here’s what she’s up against: ❌ Just 13 paid days off for her entire leave ✏️ Required to write lesson plans for 12 weeks—while unpaid 💔 A system that treats her like she’s disposable while she’s bringing new life into the world She’s not alone. Only 18% of school districts offer paid parental leave. Most teachers are forced to plan pregnancies around summer break, burn through sick days, or return to the classroom before they’ve healed or bonded with their babies. It’s no wonder so many educators leave the profession. But here’s the thing: parents and teachers aren’t on opposite sides of this issue—we’re fighting the same broken system. When teachers are supported, kids, families, and entire communities thrive. Do you have a story about navigating parental leave as a teacher? We want to hear from you. ❤️ Share it in the comments or email hello@momsfirst.us. Video via @the.mello.teacher

Every day, we hear from moms forced to step back from their careers—not because they lack ambition, but because our systems weren’t built to support them. The result? ⚡ Companies lose talent 💸 Moms lose income and advancement opportunities 📉 Our economy loses billions When employers invest in solutions like child care subsidies, backup care, and flexible scheduling, the return is undeniable: higher retention, greater productivity, and more women in leadership. This article from Stuart Dupuy and Jovie makes it clear: child care isn’t a “nice to have.” It’s table stakes for companies serious about competing in today’s economy. Read the full piece and ask yourself: what would it look like if your company treated child care like the critical infrastructure it is? https://lnkd.in/ejqaQxxG

Since 2000, day care costs have risen a whopping 153%, far outpacing overall inflation. 🤯 Child care costs are spiraling out of control—and the numbers prove it. Families are paying more than ever, and for many, child care now costs as much as a second mortgage. 66% of households with kids have both parents working, yet even two incomes often aren’t enough to cover care. Waitlists are years long. Costs are skyrocketing. Parents are burning out. This isn’t a personal failure—it’s a systemic crisis. We need bold action to make child care affordable and accessible. Follow Moms First and join the fight.

The U.K. just made a major investment in working families—and their economy. 🇬🇧 Starting today, working parents in England are eligible for 30 hours of free child care each week for children ages 9 months to 4 years. This program will: 👶 Support over half a million children 💰 Save families £7,500 per child, per year (~$9,600 USD) 📈 Help nearly 1 in 3 parents increase their work hours It’s a bold move to reduce financial strain on families, close equity gaps, and strengthen the workforce. Meanwhile, in the U.S. we have: 🚫 0 weeks of guaranteed paid leave 🚫 No national child care program 🚫 Soaring costs that force too many mothers to step back, step down, or step out of the workforce entirely We know the return on investment is clear. Affordable, accessible child care strengthens businesses, boosts productivity, and grows the economy. It’s time for the U.S. to catch up. Join the fight for paid leave, affordable child care, and workplaces that actually work for families at momsfirst.us. 

Back-to-school: equal parts joy, chaos, and how much for wet wipes?! 🎒💸 First-day smiles quickly give way to forgotten forms, back-to-school nights, and drop-off times that could only be dreamed up by someone who’s never had a 9–5. We’re endlessly grateful for our teachers, but here’s the truth: this system wasn’t built for working parents. And it shows. Here’s to every family navigating the chaos this week. We see you. And we’re fighting for a future where “back to school” doesn’t feel like an Olympic event. 🏅

"Daycare costs more than our mortgage." 💸 And that's just for one kid—this mom has two. Across America, parents are stuck in a loop where care costs more than housing, school days end before the workday does, and every sick day or holiday means another bill. This isn’t a personal budgeting problem. It’s a national policy failure. It’s time for affordable, accessible, reliable child care that works for every family. 📹 via @/ellenmomlifestyle

Luckily, we’re not picking up the tab—because we’re never going to stop talking about the policies American families need. 🍸 Paid leave. Affordable child care. Flexible work. Until every family has them, we’re not done. Follow Moms First and join the movement.

Is the end-of-summer/back-to-school child care juggle making anyone else feel like you’re holding your life together with duct tape? 🫠 It’s not just you. It’s not just “part of being a parent.” It’s a broken system—and it’s breaking families. Who else is ready to fight for affordable, accessible, reliable child care? Follow Moms First today and join the fight.

💵 Child care shouldn’t cost more than rent. 🏠 It shouldn’t force families out of the neighborhoods they love. 🗳️ And it definitely shouldn’t be an afterthought in city politics. That’s why Moms First is making child care 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙚 in NYC’s 2025 mayoral race. 📢 The New York Times is spotlighting this fight today—showing just how high the stakes are, and why we’re pushing to put #ChildCareFirstNYC. And this is just the beginning. Wait until you see what’s coming next.  👉 Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to know: https://lnkd.in/eg736x6g 💬 Do you think child care is as essential to a city as housing or transit?