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Jul 27, 2024
The Struggle for Paid Family Leave: Why Every Dad Deserves Time with Their Newborns

As fathers, we all dream of being there for our children from day one. But for many dads like Dave, this dream remains frustratingly out of reach due to the lack of paid family leave in our country. Today, we're sharing Dave's story to highlight why Dads Unite Progress is fighting for comprehensive paid family leave for all parents.

Dave's Story: A Father's Heartache


Dave and his partner Sarah were overjoyed when they found out they were expecting twins. As the due date approached, Dave eagerly anticipated the moment he'd hold his babies for the first time. However, their joy was tempered by a harsh reality: Dave's employer didn't offer paternal leave, and he had no access to paid family leave.

When Sarah went into labor two weeks early, Dave rushed to the hospital, his heart racing with excitement and worry. After 18 grueling hours, their beautiful daughters, Emma and Olivia, were born. Dave spent a precious few hours with his new family before the cruel clock forced him back to work.


For the next several weeks, Dave lived a painful double life. During the day, he went through the motions at work, his mind constantly on his struggling partner and newborn daughters at home. At night, he returned home exhausted, trying to support Sarah who was overwhelmed caring for two infants while recovering from a difficult delivery.

"I felt like I was failing everyone," Dave shared, his voice breaking. "My girls needed me, Sarah needed me, but I also needed to keep my job to support them. No parent should have to make that choice."


ADVOCACY: The Need for Change

Dave's story is not unique. Countless fathers across America face this same heart-wrenching dilemma every day. This is why Dads Unite Progress is advocating fiercely for a comprehensive national paid family leave policy.


We Believe:

  1. All parents, regardless of gender, deserve time to bond with their newborns without financial stress.
  2. Paid family leave leads to healthier babies, more engaged fathers, and stronger families.
  3. Companies benefit from paid leave through increased employee loyalty and productivity.


What You Can Do:

  1. Share your own story using #DadsUniteProgress
  2. Contact your representatives and urge them to support paid family leave
  3. Join Dads Unite Progress in our fight for family-friendly policies



Together, we can create a future where no father has to choose between their job and being there for their newborn children. Because every family deserves a strong start, and every child deserves to have their dad by their side from day one.

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