Tiffany Bond  🦞 🇺🇸Verified account

It's not uncommon in Maine for one party to take care of the children so the other party can earn more, work overtime, etc. It's not necessarily irresponsible or a luxury.

My husband worked very hard as a merchant marine to support us. The pay structure changed at the same time childcare costs drastically increased. It was more financially responsible and logistically reasonable for me to work more hours and him to stay with our boys.

It's also been damaging to his career. He will face the same stigma women do (if not worse) when he returns to the workforce.

We are almost all one industry shift or life emergency away from needing aid. We should design it so it's easy, enabling, and encouraging to return to not needing it as soon as and when possible, being realistic on that possible.

My phone is over 2 years old, my flat screen is old and has lines in it, I haven't had cable in years...most people I see in these situations are as prudent as they are able. Getting the last nickel worth of conditioner doesn't go very far.

My clients that I have seen in these positions are not frivlous. The treat of a dunkin iced tea every couple of weeks won't somehow substitute for healthcare accessibility. Planning cam alleviate some of the problems but not most of it.