In this powerful episode of The Thoughtful Advocate, host Elizabeth Teo (aka @thethoughtfuladvocate) shares her raw and emotional experience as a new mom navigating a system that pushes mothers back to work far too soon. From the trauma of giving birth to the high cost of childcare and the mental toll of breastfeeding, this is the honest, unfiltered truth about motherhood in America.

💬 “I thought I was going to die on that hospital bed — Moms in the US are expected to return to work within weeks. This system is not built for us.”

We unpack:
🔹 Why paid parental leave is still missing in the U.S.
🔹 The economic burden of childcare (up to $15,000 per year)
🔹 The physical and mental realities of postpartum recovery
🔹 How countries like Canada, Sweden & Finland are doing it better
🔹 Realistic solutions: flexible work, shorter work weeks, universal childcare

Whether you’re a new parent, future parent, or someone who believes in building a better system, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in and join the movement to advocate for working parents, families, and a more human-first society.

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