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My Slightly Chaotic Life

Balancing Life, Children and Chaos

Parenting

The Affordable Childcare Crisis

April 16, 2020 Comments : 8

Quality, affordable childcare is a topic that is on the minds of many working parents these days. Even more so with the forced closures of schools, businesses, restaurants and even some daycare centers nationwide. The child care system in the United States has always been a fragile system. Finding high quality care is not the only challenge that families face. They also face the struggle of finding affordable childcare in an already limited market.

While this post is sponsored, all my opinions are my own. You can find my full disclosures HERE.

Affordable childcare should be a right not a privilege. Here is how you can help make quality, affordable healthcare available for everyone. | Childcare | Working Mom |

Quality Childcare is Hard to Find

When my son was born over 8 years ago, the childcare system was severely lacking in the state of Maine. Not only was it difficult to find a daycare with openings, it was a struggle to find a daycare that I could afford on the salary that I was bringing home. Eventually I was able to find a center that I could afford and trusted. However, I was placed on a waitlist and had to rely on family to watch my son when I returned to work. The situation was even more dire when my daughter was born a little over two years ago.

Hearing from others how many quality daycare centers were full and had year long waitlists, I began my search before my daughter was even born. I placed my child on a waiting list 3 months before she even entered this world and still had to wait ’til she was 6 months old for her to have a spot at the daycare. Not only was this one of the only centers in my area that opened early enough to accommodate my work schedule as a nurse, but the cost of care was something we could afford.

Research has shown that children with access to early quality care and learning in the first few years of life is crucial to build a strong foundation that allows children to succeed. This made finding quality daycare that much more stressful.

Childcare in the times of COVID-19

With the spread of COVID-19 families are suddenly finding themselves without childcare. Many people who are considered essential workers are now struggling to find childcare in an already fragile economy and limited daycare facilities. Currently many daycare facilities are closed and payment from families is still expected. This is causing many families to pull their children indefinitely due to the financial strain.

Thankfully my daycare facility for my daughter is still open. However, many centers are not open and once this crisis passes we will be faced with a new childcare crisis. High quality, affordable childcare was limited before the COVID-19 pandemic, and now that the fragile childcare ecosystem is significantly strained, it will be far more challenging once this time passes. 

Affordable childcare should be a right not a privilege. Here is how you can help make quality, affordable healthcare available for everyone. | Childcare | Working Mom |

How you can help

Care for All Children has created a non-partisan educational campaign focused solely on childcare affordability in the United States. More than 20% of American families are going into debt paying for childcare. Not only are they focused on affordable childcare, but quality childcare as well. Since over two thirds of children under the age of 5 have two parents in the household in the workforce, children are spending more time in childcare settings.

This means that not only is affordability an issue, quality childcare is just as important.

So how can you help? Care for All Children is working hard to change the way presidential candidates think about affordable childcare in the United States. To find out more about Care for All Children, why every child deserves access to high quality childcare and to sign the petition urging presidential candidates to make affordable childcare a platform issue head to https://actv.at/7CP/

Other ways to get involved? Share this petition with your friends, families, co-workers and encourage them to sign as well. Share your story about how this issue has impacted your life. You can join the #CareForAllChildren campaign to share your story on social platforms. You can send a letter directly to the presidential candidate of your choice. As always make sure to get out and vote! Make sure to follow Care for All Children in order to stay updated.

You can follow them at:

Instagram: @CareForAllChildren

Twitter: @RaiseUpECE

Facebook: @CareForAllChildren

 

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Comments

  1. Kari says

    April 16, 2020 at 12:55 pm

    It’s so hard right now! Due to new headcount limitations we cannot attend daycare, but we still have to pay for it to hold our spot :(. So frustrating and my Lionel misses her friends!

    Reply
  2. Maya says

    April 16, 2020 at 5:34 pm

    Thank you for the great info! I will have to forward this to my sister. She can surely use this!

    Reply
  3. Jen says

    April 17, 2020 at 8:42 am

    That sounds like an amazing campaign! I feel for working moms who struggle to make ends meet because of childcare costs.

    Reply
  4. Adriane says

    April 18, 2020 at 1:14 am

    I just heard of this organization. That’s crazy you have so many waitlists in your area. I’m not sure around here in AZ but I haven’t heard of it being a problem. Now, the cost,YES! That’s a problem. I need to check out and support Care For All Children. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Jen says

    April 18, 2020 at 8:18 am

    This is eye-opening for me. The fact that Americans are going into debt to pay for childcare is terrible. But increasing the availability of quality childcare presents a difficult, and separate problem. Your activism is an admirable way to make a real change!

    Reply
  6. Elizabeth says

    April 22, 2020 at 1:06 pm

    I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home with my children but I realize how hard it can be to find affordable childcare. It becomes that much harder when you don’t live close to family who can step in and help. Thanks for doing what you can to solve this problem.

    Reply
  7. Melinda Cummings says

    April 22, 2020 at 8:30 pm

    When I lived in the US, I hated that I couldn’t send my kids to daycare or preschool.
    I am lucky in Quebec that it is subsidized, and we can get advanced tax credits to help pay for preschool and daycare. It is what is keeping me from moving to Ontario.

    Reply
  8. Christy says

    April 24, 2020 at 7:21 am

    Child care is a HUGE problem for many families. Thank you for sharing the information in this post!

    Reply

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Hi! I'm Danielle. I'm a mom, girlfriend and ED nurse. I love sharing my honest take on all things mom as well as life!

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If something isn’t serving you in some way, remove it from your life. ⁣
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Never apologize for not letting toxic people or things bring you down and putting your mental health above all else. ⁣
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You’ll be much happier in the end. Promise ❤️⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
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#honestlymothering 
#liveinspired 
#motherhoodintheraw 
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⁣
This is why I am loving @splendid.spoon and their vegan options to take with me on the go or to have on hand for last minute lunch ideas. Delicious, nutritious and convenient, not to mention completely plant based and vegan! ⁣
⁣
Use the code splendid.to/chaoticmommy to get $25 off your order! ⁣
What healthy meals are you creating in your own home? 
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So no matter what you think about today, let’s celebrate encouraging our children to pursue their dreams and someday making history of their own. ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
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#womensupportingwomen ⁣
#girltribe ⁣
#girlmomlife ⁣
#thefutureisfemale ⁣
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⁣
Anyone else have children that fight over the bowl of popcorn?! ⁣
We are celebrating National Popcorn Day (who knew that was actually a thing?!) with you guessed it; homemade popcorn!⁣
It is one of our go to snacks and a must every time we go to the movies! ⁣
⁣
Anyone else have kids that are obsessed with popcorn?! ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
Follow along with the hashtag #MamasWhoHoliday to see all the things me and some of my favorite mamas come up with to celebrate all these fun and different holidays! 😄 ⁣
⁣
If you’d like to join in on the fun, post your own photo and use our hashtag so we can check it out! ❤️⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#momswhoblog ⁣
#lifewithlittles ⁣
#motherhoodlens ⁣
#motherhoodlife
Anyone else feel like they are constantly chasing Anyone else feel like they are constantly chasing around a toddler in the mornings? Thankfully @Dunkin is helping me have a little bit more energy with their Extra Charged Coffee. Just in time to keep up with this very busy lady and if you couldn’t tell she loves mornings as much as I do.⁣
 ⁣
The extra caffeine (20% to be exact) is derived from green coffee extract giving that extra boost of energy! It is available in hot or iced and through January 16, a medium is only $2. So, head to @Dunkin to try it out today.!⁣
How are you getting your energy boost to keep up with your busy lifestyle?⁣
 ⁣
 ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#DunkinMaine⁣
#DunkinPartner
#momlifestyle 
#motherhoodunfiltered 
#coffeemom
Raise your hand if you love salsa! 🙋🏻‍♀️⁣
Our family uses salsa on just about everything from tacos to omelets. Our go to salsa? @freshcravingssalsa ⁣
⁣
Made from small batch recipes with vine ripened tomatoes and hand cut vegetables, @freshcravingssalsa is a smooth blend of authentic, bold flavors. So good even my kids love it! ⁣
You can find Fresh Cravings In the dips and dressing section of the produce aisle at your local Walmart or grocery store. ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#freshcravings ⁣
#salsabrate2021 ⁣
#freshcravingssalsa ⁣
#healthyjourney ⁣
#easysnackideas
9 + years since my first was born and almost 3 sin 9 + years since my first was born and almost 3 since my second and I have to say I still have no idea what I’m doing when it comes to parenting. ⁣
⁣
The great thing is; these two have no idea that most days I’m just winging it. Now more then ever, it’s important we admit to ourselves this motherhood thing is hard and as long as we keep the small humans happy and fed we are totally winning at this #momlife ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#thisismotherhood ⁣
#thisisparenthood ⁣
#momlifeunfiltered ⁣
#motherhoodintheraw ⁣
#mombloggers
Grateful Warrior; a print from the lovely and tale Grateful Warrior; a print from the lovely and talented @lindsey.erin. A wonderful artist (for real check out her stuff) and person who inspires me daily with her creativity and positivity. ⁣
⁣
This print means so many different things to me in this season of my life. ⁣
It’s a reminder that I am a strong woman who doesn’t give up easily. Someone who aspires to do more, be more. As a partner, mother, friend. ⁣
⁣
It’s also a reminder to be grateful for the opportunities I have and the power of my light I send out into this world. I glance at it everyday, hanging in my office reminding me to be the grateful warrior that I am.⁣
What is inspiring you during this time in your life? ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#fineartprints ⁣
#maineartist ⁣
#motivatedmindset ⁣
#motherhoodunfiltered
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