Childcare in Crisis: Moms Advocating for Change with Shannon Bonardy and Tabita Ramos Artwork

The Sparkle Project

(Formerly Worthy Mother Podcast)

The Sparkle Project is a feminist podcast for moms who are done carrying the weight of motherhood alone and are ready to connect with who they truly are - their sparkle, if you will.

So many of us feel overwhelmed not because we’re failing, but because we’re mothering inside a patriarchal system that expects us to give endlessly, stay quiet, and lose ourselves in the process. This space challenges those outdated expectations and embraces a more empowered, more supported, more self-honoring version of motherhood.

Hosted by Emily Rose MacDonald, a divorced mom of two on her own journey to shine a little brighter, each episode explores the realities of modern motherhood through a feminist lens that values equity, autonomy, mental health, and the humanity of moms.

You’ll hear conversations about identity, mental health, self-care, healing, and the many ways we can reclaim ourselves in a world that often overlooks the needs of mothers.

If you’re a mom who believes we deserve more than survival, and that our culture has to evolve for moms to truly thrive, you’re in the right place.

Welcome to The Sparkle Project.

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The Sparkle Project

Childcare in Crisis: Moms Advocating for Change with Shannon Bonardy and Tabita Ramos

September 10, 2024 • Episode 114

Finding affordable, quality childcare can feel (and sometimes be) impossible in many parts of the United States. This week, I'm having a conversation about the childcare crisis with Shannon Bonardy and Tabita Ramos, two moms from opposite sides of the country who have struggled to find childcare for their families and are now advocating for change with the organization Mother Forward.

We talk about:

Personal challenges finding affordable, quality childcare
The impact that lack of accessible and available childcare can have on members of the community
What happens when moms have to leave their careers because they can't find childcare
Why we need to stop viewing the childcare crisis as a "mom issue"
How moms can get involved to advocate for change

A little about our guests:

Shannon Bonardy is a hearing impaired, multiracial, working mom of 2 toddlers. While her family was experiencing the formula shortage, she found support via social media and moms across the nation. She wanted to create an encouraging, judgement-free space for other moms to connect and build a community where moms can support, inspire, and celebrate each other.

Tabita Ramos is a mom of 2 from sunny San Diego, California. She is advocating for change with Mother Forward.

To connect with Shannon, follow her on Instagram @shanb_mamasqd. Catch Shannon, Tabita, and other cool moms at the Mother Forward Discord server. Learn more about Mother Forward at www.motherforward.org.

If you found this episode valuable, share it with other moms in your life. Follow along with The Worthy Mother Podcast on Instagram @emily.rose.hardy and @worthymotherpodcast, and don’t forget to subscribe wherever you listen!

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