Meghan Markle.Photo: Patrick van Katwijk/Getty
Meghan Markleis speaking out for fellow moms.
On Wednesday, the Duchess of Sussex shined a spotlight on the child care crisis in the U.S. — and how it’s not a family issue but a business issue.
“As it’s been said many times, it takes a village to raise a child,” the mom of Archie, 3, and Lilibet, who turns 1 next month, added. “Today, we’re sending a message that childcare isn’t just a community imperative — it’s a business imperative. Creating a stronger workforce starts with meeting the needs of families.”
Marshall Plan for Moms was among a number of organizations that received donations in late 2021 from Meghan and Harry’s Archewell Foundation, it was announced when the family released their Christmas card. The card marked the first time the Duke and Duchess of Sussexreleased a family photoafter welcoming daughter Lilibet.
“This year, 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Lilibet, to the world. Archie made us a ‘Mama’ and a ‘Papa’, and Lili made us a family,” they said in the card. “As we look forward to 2022, we have made donations on your behalf to several organizations that honor and protect families – from those being relocated from Afghanistan, to American families in need of paid parental leave.”
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry.Samir Hussein/WireImage
“Over the past 20 months, the pandemic has exposed long-existing fault lines in our communities,” she wrote. “At an alarming rate, millions of women dropped out of the workforce, staying home with their kids as schools and daycares were closed, and looking after loved ones full-time. The working mom or parent is facing the conflict of being present or being paid. The sacrifice of either comes at a great cost.”
Noting that the American dream has over time become less about prosperity and more about achieving simple stability, she continues: “I grew up on the $4.99 salad bar at Sizzler—it may have cost less back then (to be honest, I can’t remember)—but what I do remember was the feeling: I knew how hard my parents worked to afford this because even at five bucks, eating out was something special, and I felt lucky.”
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Archie.DOMINIC LIPINSKI/AFP via Getty
Meghan noted that her backstory is like so many others' — but her current circumstance (and the freedom of financial stability) is what set her apart from an average American parent’s experience. This disparity, she believes, is a problem with the way the country treats its parents. It’s
She and Harry, 37, both took 20 weeks of parental leave, in line with the policies of their Archewell Foundation.
While acknowledging the “politically charged” nature of this conversation, Meghan said, “This isn’t about Right or Left, it’s about right or wrong. This is about putting families above politics.”
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry and Archie.Henk Kruger/AP/Shutterstock
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Meghan andPrince Harryannounced last week that they arevisiting the U.K.with their two children to celebrateQueen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee next month.
The trip will be the first time Lili, who was born in California last year, will visit her dad’s homeland. She’ll likely even celebrate her first birthday on June 4 during the trip.
source: people.com
