Many years ago someone I knew expressed admiration that a woman she knew gave birth, and then went back to work within 48 hours (as a waitress, I think, although the specific job shouldn't matter) because there was no one else available to cover her shift.

At the time I hadn't had children myself. Since then I have given birth. And I understand how profound that process is, as well as how overwhelming the physical process. No woman should EVER feel the need to get up and return to a job within some unrealistic minimum of time. Yes, I understand that we all recover from childbirth at different rates. Heck, I was able to stand completely upright less than 24 hours after a C-section, which is apparently unusual. Trust me, as normal as that felt to me, I'd NEVER expect any other woman to do the same.

Here's the thing. Giving birth is not exactly like getting a hangnail fixed. It involves an awful lot, not even including all the hormonal changes. It's genuinely sad that our culture does not honor or respect what happens with childbirth. We are, collectively, the poorer for this.

It does not help at all that those at the very top of the economic ladder who have lots and lots of help in their lives, don't understand that most people don't have nannies and housekeepers and the like. Or that those who never have children often don't understand either.

Here's the thing: It's not a contest between parents and non parents. We are all in this life together. Okay, so I had a couple of kids and you had none. We are all (I hope) committed to making this a better world to leave to those who come after us.

Yeah, I had a couple of kids, but I probably won't have grandchildren (why is not important here) but I, and I hope you, understand that we all should want to make the world a better place.

So a six week paid leave is, in my personal opinion, a rock-bottom basic necessity to achieve a better life for all of us. Good for you, Nashville.