Dear Future Leaders,
Tomorrow, I will face an unimaginable moment. I will have to leave my newborn behind once again, a heart-wrenching reality I never wanted to experience for the fourth time. Despite my hopes and prayers to avoid this pain, here I stand, bracing myself for the emotional toll it will take.
I hear the advice to “toughen up.” I’m told how fortunate I am to have a job, and that teaching is one of the easiest professions out there, especially with a schedule designed for working mothers. Yes, I’ve managed to toughen up, and yes, I am grateful for my job and the flexibility it provides. Yet, as I prepare to leave my precious baby, the heaviness in my heart remains.
Tomorrow morning, I will rush through my morning routine, trying to accomplish as much as I can for my children before heading to work. I know I’m not alone in this struggle; countless working mothers endure the same heartache for the sake of their families. We all feel the pain of separation, yearning to be with our little ones.
Hard work? I’ve never shied away from it. I’ve embraced my roles as a teacher, a small business owner, and a writer, juggling multiple responsibilities. But does this make me an extraordinary wife or mother? No, it simply makes me someone who is doing her best to provide for her family. We are your everyday middle-class family, and while my husband and I both have stable jobs, we barely make ends meet after paying our mortgage, student loans, and bills.
Our children want one thing above all else: us. They want their mother. Tomorrow, I will wipe away tears, disentangle toddlers from my legs, and gently pass my baby to someone else. I will miss feeding her when she cries, soothing her, and attending to her needs. I will have to put on a brave face for my children, all while battling the emotional turmoil within. I know that despite my efforts, I will struggle to maintain my composure.
As I step out of my house and look back at their tear-stained faces, I will hear my baby’s cries echoing in my heart. I will have to muster the strength to drive away, knowing that I am leaving behind the very person who needs me most. And yet, I will walk into a classroom of eager second graders who deserve my full attention, even as I feel shattered inside.
You see, Mr. or Mrs. Future President, my baby is growing. Her head is now held high, and she beams with joy when she sees me. Just a few weeks ago, she began to recognize me as the one who comforts her in the dark of night, the one who responds to her every whimper. But tomorrow, I will have to leave her behind.
I struggle to understand why our country lacks paid maternity leave. Why must working mothers choose between their careers and bonding with their newborns? I will miss the intimate moments of breastfeeding, opting instead for a rushed pumping session in a cramped space. This situation is beyond frustrating, especially when I am expected to deliver quality education to my students while my heart is breaking.
As a representative of countless working mothers, I urge you to consider the importance of this precious time for both mothers and newborns. Tomorrow, I will join countless other women in the same heart-wrenching position. Wouldn’t it be nice if we didn’t have to be warriors in this battle?
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Summary:
Working mothers face the painful challenge of leaving their newborns to fulfill career obligations, often without the support of paid maternity leave. This letter urges future leaders to advocate for policies that support family bonding during crucial early moments of a child’s life.