#WorkingParent #DaycareEconomics #UnemploymentBenefits #UBI
As a new dad in the USA, I can completely relate to the struggles of being a working parent. It truly does feel like a never-ending balancing act between providing for your family financially and being present for your children. The sentiment that “being a working parent makes absolutely no sense” is a common feeling among many of us trying to navigate this complex and demanding role.
👨👩👧👦 The physical and emotional toll of being a parent is undeniable. It’s a full-time job in itself, and the love and dedication we pour into our children is immeasurable. Despite the exhaustion, there is a sense of fulfillment and purpose that comes with raising a child that often surpasses any other career ambitions we may have had.
Why does it feel like a never-ending cycle of working just to pay for childcare? The economics of daycare can be mind-boggling. For every hour worked, the cost of childcare eats into our earnings, leaving us with little to show for our efforts. As highlighted in a recent NPR article, the issue of expensive childcare and waitlists is a real concern that is impacting working parents across the country.
The struggles don’t end there. Rejection for unemployment benefits only adds to the financial strain on working parents. The desire for universal basic income (UBI) becomes more pronounced as we grapple with the challenges of balancing work and parenting responsibilities. The need for support for working parents is evident, yet the current system seems set up to make it nearly impossible to thrive.
The dichotomy of needing to work to survive financially while also wanting to be present for our children is a conundrum many working parents face. The idea that capitalism requires new workers and politicians need new voters, yet the system makes it increasingly difficult to be a working parent, is a paradox that leaves many of us questioning the logic behind it all.
In conclusion, the struggle of being a working parent is real and multifaceted. It’s a delicate dance of trying to do what’s best for our families while also navigating the demands of our jobs. The need for support, both financially and emotionally, for working parents is essential for creating a more sustainable and compassionate society. It’s time for a shift in mindset and policies that prioritize the well-being of families and acknowledge the invaluable contribution of working parents. Let’s work towards a future where being a working parent not only makes sense but is truly fulfilling and rewarding.
New dad too. Had to go back to work at 4 weeks, wife still evading work and he’s nearly 3 months. She goes back 4/1.
Just being at work now is overly draining, and I find myself feeling bitter that I can’t spend the day being a dad. It’s interesting and rewarding work, albeit difficult and exhausting.
I feel ya. I kind of wish we didn’t have to work to live and everyone gets their 1st year at least as parents then work while other new parents get theirs.
In much poorer countries than the US, community supports parenthood better and people can actually get by not having to work 10000 hours a week just to live. Just… maybe the standard of ‘living’ is not equal.
UBI won’t solve this:
Consider a universal basic income that gives everyone $1,500 a month. In a market economy, every seller of goods knows what you could afford before and adjusts their price. Your rent can now go up as high as $1,500/mo. Your groceries, gas, anything with inelastic demand goes up. Why would a capitalist not charge more? Until we fix this fundamental problem, UBI is just a gift to the landlord class.
Yeah, in a town in Iowa as long as you make under $175k you pay like $190 a month. And it only cost them a few cents in every sale. They didn’t even have to raise taxes in the wealthy.
And it was better for daycares too because it’s a difficult business for them too
Fortunately my sons love their daycare. But I feel ya. It’s hard!
I stayed home for years and then eventually worked part time opposite hours of my hubby to avoid daycare because otherwise my salary wouldn’t have covered daycare and we wouldn’t qualify for aid.
My baby’s about seven months old sleeping on my chest right now cause she’s being fussy. Thing is, being a new dad ain’t easy, but I make it work by working the night shift while my partner works during the day. We both take of the baby regardless of the time, though.
You didn’t think about this stuff before having a child? Why force a kid to live in poverty because you couldn’t bother to do basic financial planning or use birth control. Being financially stable is a big part of being a good parent. Having children is not mandatory.
It’s somewhat the same in the UK, I live quite rurally down in the south west where wages are low (30k GBP per year) for our one child in daycare is £1200 a month full time so pretty much I go to work full time to have £800 left to pay mortgage bills etc it’s a joke. But if I was unemployed I would get it for free. Strange old world lol
Sorry but I just have to point out the costs of daycare.
The idea behind daycare is the cost of the employee is shared by multiple people. If you have 8 kids per adult that means the salary is 1/8 of whatever the hourly is per kid. So it is possible to pay them more than what the parent is making. (Don’t forget then you have to add costs like food, electricity, etc).
>No one can earn enough to make it work
Sorry what? Plenty of us make it work. Not saying it’s perfect, but it works just fine for many many people
So what’s your solution… only people who aren’t parents work? I pay even more taxes taxes so “the government” can pay you to raise your kids? Keen to know what you think should happen here.
I pay more in daycare than I do my mortgage. I could literally pay off my house twice as fast if it weren’t for this. Or fix my pile of shit before it falls in on me because it’s all I could afford in this shitty market. My goal is to survive the rest of the decade and hope enough stupid people die off so they stop voting for the absolute worst that humanity has to offer to “lead” us.
You never say you’re a single parent, but it seems a weird omission in a post like this. Might want to edit and clarify.
Its sad seeing this here when I was just talking to my mom about this.
The US gives zero support to parents but wants people to be parents. But also gives zero help to BECOME parents and zero help to children.
(Lets skip the fucking questions on adoption. If you feel the need to bring it up, google costa of adoption please, I will not be answering this worn out shit.)
I finally had insurance to find out why we couldnt conceive (no known reason) and insurance covered the untrasounds for pregancy, but did not cover the untrasound to confirm I lost my pregnancy. We stopped after that.
Then look at CHILDREN HAVING LUNCH DEBT in schools. What the hell?! And teachers paying for supplies out of their own pockets? And yet houses have been selling for how much and property taxes were raised and where is that money going? But near us they bought all new police cars right before AND right after covid?! What the actual shit?!
It is definitely getting insane and I am exhausted of the bullshit. The people in charge are treating us as sub human and have been away from the majority for too long. If you are too afraid of the general populace to eat at a basic restaurant, to shop at a basic store, maybe you have done too much wrong and need to hear for it.
I was raised by a working single mom so I always figured I would be a full time working parent as well. Everything went out the window after I had my first baby. That was 10 years ago now and other than during Covid when my husband was laid off and couldn’t find anything else as his field was mostly shut down, I haven’t worked full time hours since. Work is just work for me and I don’t seek fulfillment from it. It’s just a means to an end.
In our country (Europe) we still have 24 months of parental leave. It is really insane to leave almost newborn in the daycare.
Now my child is a teen. And I still do not want to remember how hard it was to work and grow a small kid.
Yeah, humans weren’t really supposed to endure anything like the industrial revolution with the introduction of corporations. It would be much different if you had a slightly nomadic community, and helped every three days to build a few houses down by the lake, while some others stay back in the already established village, taking care of food, children, and cleaning. Life was not ever intended to move this quickly.
Correct. This is a big part of why the population will continue to keep declining as no relief is in sight.