Being a child care teacher is my passion. But when I think about Mother’s Day, sometimes I feel ashamed. I feel like less of a mom. That’s because even though I work hard and I’m good at my job, I am not paid enough to provide for my own children.

I’ve been working in child care for 13 years. I have my CDA and I’m working on my Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education. I’m regarded as one of the best teachers at the center where I work. I enjoy teaching and nurturing the whole child. We learn skills and concepts ranging from fine motor skills, practicing writing, and self-awareness of our environments, to zipping your jacket and tying your shoe. I help to prepare children and their families for kindergarten and beyond. I also work with after-school children, assisting them with homework and engaging in fun activities.

The best part of teaching is witnessing the growth progress and maturity that the children make from the time we meet to the time they leave for the next steps of life. But when I think about my own situation, it can be discouraging.

Even though I work full time, I cannot afford my own place to live. I’m one of the many mothers working in the child care field who are struggling, with many of us leaning on our own moms to get by. I lost my apartment and now my three kids and I are living with my mom. We share one bedroom.

My kids and I are really close. I have two boys and a girl. They ask me when we are going to get our place back. I try to stay positive, but it’s hard. It’s belittling.

That feeling is too common in my field. Studies show that early childhood teachers have high levels of anxiety, stress and depression—just like other moms who are working yet can’t afford to pay for child care or rent. I’m fighting with so many painful emotions, yet I’m doing what I love to do.

Despite the important work we do nurturing and educating the next generation, child care workers are paid a median wage of $9.38 per hour. Nearly three-quarters of us worry about having enough money to pay monthly bills.

Low pay leads to high turnover, stress and anxiety, and a system that doesn’t work for parents, teachers or children. In order for child care teachers to be able to provide the best care possible, we need to know where our next meal is coming from. We need to be able to afford a place to live.

That’s why I joined the Fight for $15. I’m joining thousands of child care teachers, fast food workers and home care workers across the country who are calling for better wages and union rights. If child care teachers were paid $15 an hour, I wholeheartedly believe that the quality of teaching and care would improve drastically. And mothers like me would have peace of mind knowing that we can take care of our kids too.

This Mother’s Day, I am so thankful to have the support of my mother and my sisters at this time in my life. I’m grateful for a family that sticks together and continues to strive. Today, let’s honor the sacrifices we all make for our children and the movement we are building to win a better future for our kids and for those who care for them.