For more than a year, the pandemic has upended families' lives. Now as some parents try to return to the workplace, a new challenge has emerged: finding a day care.

Officials say there is a severe day care shortage.

For thousands of single, working moms across western Connecticut, this has become a serious dilemma.

Shawneisha Maye has two daughters with children. Her daughters work for her company.

She tells News 12 her daughters are not able to return to work because they are unable to find a day care.

“It’s a big deal to me because I would love to see my kids expand their careers, have their kids in a day care so that they can work and feed their children and feed their family.”