Childcare In The Capitol: As More Women Run For Office, Some Are Bringing Their Kids

When Florida state Rep. Fiona McFarland's infant daughter, Grace Melton, crawled for the first time, the mom of four was right next door, hard at work with her legislative policy staff in the state Capitol.

Thanks to the on-site childcare available in the statehouse, McFarland didn't miss that magical first milestone in her 7-month-old's young life.

"The sitter I had with her just grabbed me out of my meeting right next door and I came over and got to witness it," McFarland recalled.

As more women and young people run for public office, they're bringing more than fresh policy ideas to statehouses - some are bringing their kids.

Like working parents across the country, some lawmakers are scrambling to find childcare that fits their often unpredictable schedules, at a price they can afford . Rushing back and forth from their districts, they juggle meetings with constituents and coordinate their children's drop-offs, power through late-night floor sessions and step out to pump breast milk between votes, hoping to make it home for their kids' bedtime.