As the Ohio legislature faces budget reconciliation, there is one glaring problem that we need to consider- if we care about protecting babies and supporting moms as much as we say we do, then we need to take funding for childcare way more seriously. I am a wife, a mother, a devout pro-life Catholic, and a social worker, and it is these identities that push me to speak out for the needs of children and families.
Last June, I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy. Immediately, he became the light of my and my husband’s life, and our world changed forever. Unfortunately, the joy soon became overshadowed by anxiety as the end of my maternity leave grew closer- we could not find consistent and affordable childcare.
Living in a childcare desert, we had to rely on babysitters to watch our infant son while I taught part-time at a local university. I juggled caregiving responsibilities, teaching 3 courses, and constantly preparing for the next day. My time at work was spent worrying about my baby and my time with my baby was spent worrying about being ready for my next class- all because we could only afford the bare minimum of childcare.
My story is unique, but it is not an uncommon theme among working parents. Childcare is unaffordable and inaccessible for many Ohioans which begs the question, is this really the best we can do? When I think about the pro-life values of many of our legislators, my heart soars for the commitment to protecting life starting at conception yet it breaks for the unmet potential of support for parents and children after birth. To truly enact the pro-life, pro-family values that our legislators proclaim, we need to support comprehensive funding for childcare to bridge the gap between protecting life and bolstering families.
Before the end of this month, Ohio legislators have to set a budget for the fiscal year of 2024-2025, and both the House of Representatives and the Senate have proposed slashing funding to the Department of Children and Youth as well as additional proposals by the Senate to cut funding to publicly funded childcare. Simply put, these are not pro-life decisions. These decisions do not support the family or uphold the dignity of work.
I am frustrated. I am confused. But mostly, I am tired. I am tired of trying to convince pro-life lawmakers that funding childcare is essential to supporting moms and babies. Now is the time for our legislature to prioritize children and families by restoring the close to $150 million in the state budget for the Department of Children and Youth as well as restoring funding for childcare and pregnant women across the state. Funding for childcare is essential for the functioning of our great state, but maybe more importantly, it is necessary for the dignity of working families.
Katie Holler, Ohio
Mother Forward 