Newborns need their mothers — but in America, most women are forced back to work just weeks after giving birth. With no federally mandated paid leave, rising childcare costs, and mounting mental health crises, the system is failing moms and children alike. Kayla Elderkin delivers a raw, personal account of how she escaped the impossible trap so many mothers face — and challenges us to question the cultural norms that call this "normal." Kayla Elderkin is a single mother who refused to choose between raising her children and providing for them. While on maternity leave, she started building a business from scratch—determined to create a life that allowed her to be both present and financially secure. Today, she’s grown a community of over 600,000 across her platforms and is on a mission to help other women do the same: stay home with their babies and still provide boldly. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx