As a mom of three autistic children — ages 4, 7, and 12 — I know firsthand how much time, energy, and love full-time caregiving requires. And I know I’m not alone. Thousands of parents stay home not by choice, but because their children need them full time. Yet we’re rarely recognized or supported. It’s time to change that.
Moms Shape the Future — It’s Time They Got Paid for It
Every day, mothers across America raise the next generation — guiding, teaching, nurturing, and sacrificing. Yet, if you do this work full time in your own home, it’s considered “unpaid” and invisible in the economy.
We believe it’s time for that to change.
We propose a $1,200/month federal caregiver stipend for stay-at-home parents, especially those raising children with disabilities, developmental needs, or homeschooling responsibilities. This isn’t welfare — it’s recognition. It’s valuing what holds families and communities together.
The Facts:
- The average stay-at-home mom works 90+ hours/week (source: Salary.com).
- If moms were paid fairly, they’d earn $184,820/year for their roles as cooks, teachers, drivers, nurses, and more.
- Many parents cannot work outside the home due to the demands of caring for children who are autistic, medically fragile, or vaccine-injured.
- Homeschooling moms serve as full-time educators — saving the public thousands in school funding per child.
Other Countries Do It — Why Can’t We?
Nations like Finland, Germany, and Canada already support parents with monthly child stipends or caregiver salaries. The U.S., despite being one of the wealthiest nations on Earth, spends less than almost any developed country on early family care or special needs caregiving.
This Isn’t Just a “Mom Issue” — It’s a Human Rights One
- It would empower low-income and middle-class families, giving them more choice between child care or staying home.
- It would honor invisible labor and lighten the mental load for parents who never clock out.
- It would reduce school strain by supporting parents who choose to homeschool or care long-term for children with disabilities.
- It would acknowledge the real work done by parents whose children may never be fully independent.
Who Would Qualify?
We propose the following structure:
- $1,200/month for full-time caregiving parents of children up to age 18, or older if disabled.
- Inclusive of stay-at-home parents, homeschoolers, foster parents, and those caring for children with complex medical or behavioral needs.
- No outside work requirement — the caregiving is the work.
- Verified annually, with optional parent education or civic credits to increase support over time.
We Need to Talk About This Out Loud
We subsidize billion-dollar industries every year. We cut taxes for corporations. Why can’t we invest in the human beings who raise our future?
Whether you’re a conservative who values strong families or a progressive fighting for justice, this is a unifying policy we can all stand behind.
Want to Help?
Comment, vote, and share this post if you believe moms deserve a real seat at the economic table.
Tag your representative. Call your senator. Add your voice to the chorus saying:
“Caregiving is work. Pay her for it.”
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