FREEPORT — For many of us in salaried careers, the demands of our jobs go far beyond the workday. For many of us with hourly positions, there is often not enough money coming in to comfortably support a family.

When our balance between work and family is already skewed, what happens when we must prioritize our family before our job? What happens when we give birth? What happens when a child, a spouse or a parent has a serious illness?

In these cases, most Americans need to choose between a paycheck and being there for their family. The United States is the only industrialized nation without paid family leave.

Our country’s position on this issue is best compared to Papua New Guinea and the African nations of Swaziland and Lesotho. Currently 12 percent of us receive some form of paid leave, but this is neither the standard nor the requirement in 47 of the 50 states.

When my daughter was born in September, I was able to use six weeks of my accrued sick time as paid leave. With that, I am luckier than most.

However, the second half of my 12-week absence was unpaid. Although I still had 66.5 days remaining from the sick time I had accrued during my 14-year career, I was not allowed to use it. For those of us in the 47 states without mandates, our employers have the right to say how much of our family leave will be paid or unpaid.

For my six unpaid weeks, my husband and I had to choose what was best for our family. We looked closely at our finances and decided that although money would be tight, it was best for me to stay home. We knew that this was a time in our daughter’s life that we could never get back. We put her needs first.

During my leave, I held my baby for the majority of the day. I smiled at her and told her stories. She liked hearing my voice; maybe she remembered it from the womb, or perhaps she associated it with milk and comfort. We had days of lactation support and checkups at the doctor. We had friends and family visit and welcome her to the world.

I shifted the balance from the workplace to home because for 12 weeks I did have a full-time job: My job was to take care of my baby.

I call myself one of the lucky ones. An analysis of federal Labor Department data has found that 23 percent of the women in the U.S. who leave work to care for a baby return within two weeks of giving birth. Nearly 12 percent of the mothers who take time off work return within one week of their child being born.

That means that one in 10 American new moms returns to work within seven days of having a baby. Seven days.

But this is not the way it has to be.

The FAMILY (Family and Medical Insurance Leave) Act is a proposal that awaits Congress. It ensures that all workers receive partial pay for up to 12 weeks to care for a newly born or adopted child. This applies to both women and men.

Imagine the bonding that a family could have by being together in the early, critical stages of a child’s life. Imagine the foundation that would be built for the years to come.

The measure also protects us against life’s uncertainties. Partial pay – 66 percent of one’s salary – is provided for up to 12 weeks to care for a seriously ill family member or if you yourself are the one who is ill. No longer will countless Americans have to choose between a paycheck and the needs of their loved ones.

This proposal helps create a balance between work and family. U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree is the first member of the House from our state to officially support The FAMILY Act, and I applaud her. I encourage U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin and Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King to do the same.

From life’s beautiful moments, such as a baby being born, to life’s hardest moments, this bill supports Americans when they need it most.

— Special to the Press Herald