Congratulations for a thought-provoking series on the challenges of juggling work and family life ("Supermoms," Oct. 10-11). While the moms in these stories have found solutions like downshifting their careers or leaving the labor market to care full time for their children, their individual struggles are a call to action for larger societal change. The impossible choices parents are forced to make are coming at a tremendous personal and professional cost. And, far too many still don't have access to family-friendly work schedules or the luxury of giving up a paycheck to stay at home.

The good news is that there are many ways businesses and government can help ease the time and economic pressures today's moms and dads face. Guaranteeing every worker – regardless of their job or salary level -- paid family and medical leave would be a wonderful start. If we care about our children and their future, it's about time we invest in the people doing the most important job in the world: parenting.

Rhonda Present
Founder and Director
ParentsWork, Evanston

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