This study looked at the relationship between a nurturing mother rat and the epigenetic expression of the stress response in the pup. They found that the nurturing mother rat, whether the biological mother or the adopted mother, changed the stress response in the pup. The nurturing mother lowered the stress response while the neglectful mother raised the stress response. Also, pups who were raised by the neglectful mother grew up to have more behavioral issues than those raised by nurturing mothers. These changes in the epigenome have major consequences for the health of the children as well as the potential for disease later on in life. I am curious as to how we can support mothers (and fathers) through services such as a year paid maternity leave among many other support systems so that mothers and fathers can provide as much nurturing as possible for their children.