Raising kids
Shouldn’t Be A Lonely Endeavor
Parents don’t just contribute to society, they create it. They are raising the next generation of teachers and students, employers and employees, voters and leaders. They deserve more support.
Why Parents?
Parents (and all loving adults who care for children) have the power to lay a foundation for lifelong learning and success. But they need resources, time, and support to do so.
Why Now?
COVID-19 has been a powerful earthquake revealing just how shaky our nation’s infrastructure of support for parents, and, therefore, for children, really is.
PARENT NATION Ideals
A Parent Nation reflects a society that celebrates, honors and makes space for the love and labor that go into raising future generations. It ensures all parents have the information, resources and supports they need to optimally raise their children and give them the best chance to succeed in life. It is a society that strives for the following ideals:
Parents have real choice.
They have the opportunity to choose how best to care for their children – from birth through childhood.
Children are invested in early.
It's understood that children’s potential does not begin on the first day of school, but on the first day of life. Public policies and investments are guided by the science of foundational brain development, which demonstrates the importance of the first three years of life.
Parental wisdom is honored.
Their inherent leadership is respected and uplifted; their collective knowledge is recognized and supported.
Employers are allies.
They recognize that parents – especially parents with young children – need support and they need time with/for their children. They set workplace policies that support them.
Parents have access to supports.
They receive resources, supports and services, starting at birth, that enable them to be their children’s best brain architect, first teacher, advocate, and coach, setting their children up for success in life.
Leadership
Parent Nation is an initiative of the TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health at the University of Chicago.
Parent Nation would not be possible without the contributions of Research Assistants Lindsay Bouchard, Dru Brenner, Hannah Caldwell, June Carter, Austin Fitzgerald, Shiri Gross, Athena Hallberg, Phoebe Holz, Alice Jung, Drae Laws, Erin Moderow, and Erin Yancey or support from the entire TMW Center team, including particular leadership from Liz Sablich and Jon Wenger. Click below to learn more about this incredible group!
View AllAt a time when America seems hopelessly polarized, [PARENT NATION] shows us how it is possible to work together across political divides for the wellbeing of our children and our families.
Kristin Kobes Du Mez
Professor of History at Calvin University
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If you’d like to support Parent Nation financially, please click below to make a donation to the TMW Center. Include “Parent Nation” in the special instructions field.