The Parental Leave Playbook

Author's Note

THIS BOOK WAS written during a global pandemic, social justice protests, climate catastrophes, and extreme political division. At points, our stock market crashed, our hospitals nearly did, our Capitol fell under siege, our loved ones got sick, and unimaginable numbers of them died. Our social safety net was tested and found sorely lacking. Record numbers of people became homeless, and those of us who didn't couldn't safely leave our houses. Our schools and workplaces shut down, and parents had to somehow figure out how to keep working—while also serving as online school navigators or homeschool teachers and loving moms and dads.

There wasn't a lot about 2020 and early 2021 that most of us had ever experienced before. It was the definition of a world in transition and often pure chaos. There were genuine moments of dread when we asked ourselves if we would get to the other side intact—as individuals, as a country, and as an interdependent world.

Over a year into it, we are only now beginning to lift our heads to notice that we have also been given some invaluable gifts during this time.

For many, our relationships with our loved ones have moved back into center position after being pushed aside by work for too long. Nurturing our physical and mental health has taken on new significance and priority. Where our careers may have felt off-track, job loss (either from being let go or being forced to quit for caregiving duties) has created an opening to realign our ...