This is an email I received and am forwarding it on to all the members of the Portland Moms group because it’s something I really believe in. Having had my first child when I still lived in Canada I had a full year off work, paid. When I heard that 6 weeks (unpaid) in the U.S. is the norm it made me really sad since so many mothers would love to spend more time at home but can’t afford to.

Hi Brigitte, I’m a member of the Portland Moms Facebook group and have a favor to ask. I am part of a local grassroots group called Parents for Paid Leave and we’re really gearing up our grassroots effort to pass a bill this leg session, which starts today. It’d be *great* if we could somehow reach the group’s 600 members with a request to join our Facebook group and learn how they can be involved in this effort if they are interested. Even joining the Facebook group is a way for us to tally the number of parents who want this, which helps convince legislators. The group is here: group. Thanks so much for considering it, Lisa

Wait, what? A Portland Moms Facebook Group? Yup- If you’re on facebook, and you’re in Portland, and you’re a parent (they’re nondiscriminatory), you should join us!

And if you believe that leaving work in order to care for chronically ill family or for newborns is a good thing, also join the group of parents for paid leave.