by Natalie Jones, Director of Advocacy and Research, Tennessee Nonprofit Network
Mother’s Day has always been a special time of year to celebrate all of the women who have made such a difference in my life – notably my own mom. But this year, the holiday feels different. It’s no longer just about other women; it’s for me. This will be my second Mother’s Day as a mom, and my first not colored by postpartum hormones – because the 4th trimester is real!
Mother’s Day is also forever tied to a specific season in my life: the return to the office after maternity leave. As I reflect on what a huge transition becoming a mom is, I am brought back to a specific moment. I was sitting in my chair with my six-week-old son in a total, bone-deep, sleep-deprived haze but still marveling at fact that he was in the world – and consequently made up my world. I remember looking down at him, realizing the six-week milestone we just hit and then thinking “Wait … some women have to go back to work now?!?!”
That realization hit me like a ton of bricks. At six weeks, I was still navigating a body that felt unfamiliar, a schedule that didn’t exist (and if you know me you know what an existential crisis that was for me), and an emotional landscape that was shifting daily. To imagine going back to work, let alone leave my house, felt impossible.
The Power of 12 Weeks
I am profoundly grateful to be a part of an organization that doesn’t just “allow” for parental leave, but provides 12 weeks of paid leave!
Parental leave is not a vacation, and those additional weeks are essential for physical recovery, bonding with my son, and moving out of “survival” mode into a place of (almost) stability.
I’ve always known women were capable, but experiencing childbirth and postpartum firsthand? It’s a whole new level of respect. Women are incredible! We are resilient, adaptable, and fierce. But even the most incredible people need support systems to thrive.
In the nonprofit world, our “product” is often our people. We are an industry built on empathy, community, and the idea of making the world a better place. If we are to truly live out those values, we must start within our own office walls.
Why [Paid] Parental Leave Matters
I recognize that for many small nonprofits, the “P” in Paid Parental Leave feels like a daunting financial hurdle. However, I want to challenge our sector to view it not as a cost, but as a mission-critical investment. This investment in our people does the following:
- Retention: It costs significantly more to recruit and train a new employee than it does to support a current one through a life transition.
- Equity: Unpaid leave is often only accessible to those with significant personal savings, which widens the gap for diverse leadership in our sector.
- Burnout Prevention: Providing time to transition back properly ensures that when an employee returns, they are fully present and energized for the mission.
This Mother’s Day, let’s do more than just post a tribute on social media. Let’s look at our handbooks. Let’s look at our budgets.
If we want to support mothers, we have to support their reality. My return to Tennessee Nonprofit Network and our incredible team was successful because I was given the time to be a mom first. Every nonprofit professional deserves that same grace.
To all the moms in the sector: You are doing a phenomenal job. And to the organizations that support them: Thank you for proving that we can be both a high-impact workforce and a supportive village.