No mother should have to choose between paying her bills and having time to heal after childbirth to care for her newborn. ❤️

I'm Sierrra Mackenzie, and I share my family's life online. I've heard so many stories from moms who had to go back to work just weeks after giving birth, not because they were ready, but because they couldn't afford to stay home with their babies. No mom should have to make that kind of decision.

When you're living paycheck to paycheck, taking unpaid leave isn't really an option. The bills don't stop just because you had a baby. Rent is still due, groceries still need to be bought, and your newborn still needs you.

The truth is, the federal government does not guarantee paid maternity leave for all working mothers. The Family and Medical Leave Act may provide eligible workers with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave, but not everyone qualifies, and unpaid time off doesn't help much when you still have bills to pay.

Mothers deserve time to recover, adjust to motherhood, and bond with their babies without constantly worrying about how they're going to make ends meet. And no mother should ever be judged for having to return to work because her family depends on her income. This isn't about judging the choices moms make. It's about making sure they actually have a choice.

We're calling on Congress to guarantee at least six months of paid, job-protected maternity leave for every working mother in America, regardless of where she lives or who she works for. Mothers deserve time to heal, care for their newborns, and enjoy those precious first months without having to sacrifice their income or risk losing their jobs.

We're asking House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to make paid maternity leave a priority and take real steps toward passing legislation that supports families. Moms don't just need to hear that they're appreciated. They need policies that actually support them when they need it most.

Please sign this petition and share it with others. Every mother deserves the opportunity to recover from childbirth and care for her baby without having to choose between her health, her child, and her financial stability.

Paid maternity leave should not be a privilege reserved for families who can afford it. It should be something every working mother can count on. ❤️