I stayed home with my kids longer than I planned because of childcare costs. It didn't feel like I had much of a choice.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Mom and baby
The author stayed home with her kids because of childcare costs.

Courtesy of the author

We spend $30,000 a year on au pairs to help with our 4 boys. It's worth it.

Tech Insider : Business
Three adults and three children against a city landscape
The Smylie family with their last au pair, Cami.

Courtesy of Malia Smylie.

I dragged my son to all my work meetings as a single mom who couldn't afford childcare. I worried I ruined his childhood.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
a woman at her desk while also playing with her son
The author (not pictured) brought her son to all work meetings.

Stephen Lux/Getty Images

I started raising my grandson just a few months into my retirement. My wife and I want to give him a good life, but it's financially draining.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Sports
Martin Odum with his wife and grandson, Noah
Martin Odum and his wife have raised their grandson, Noah.

Martin Odum

I work at a coworking space that has an on-site preschool. It's completely changed my life and my parenting.

Tech Insider : Business, Environment
Paulina Roe's daughter playing with a ball next to her day care room
The author's daughter goes to day care at a coworking space.

Courtesy of Paulina Roe

I moved my family from Texas to Colombia. It cut down our expenses by two-thirds, and life feels richer.

Tech Insider : Business
A woman and a young girl look out at a valley of homes, surrounded by trees.
Jenn Jamali and her daughter

Courtesy of Jenn Jamali

Zohran Mamdani is rolling out his first wave of free childcare. See which NYC neighborhoods get free 2-K this fall.

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics, Economy
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani interacts with children during his visit to a childcare center in Manhattan, New York, U.S., on December 11, 2025.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited a childcare center before getting sworn in.

Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images

Four generations of a family moved in together. Their 'crazy dream' helps them save on childcare and elder care costs.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Lily Telloyan's family
Lily and Alex Telloyan, center, moved in with Lily's parents and grandparents in 2024. Their son, Xander, was born in April 2025.

Sarah Rice for BI

I quit my job at Microsoft to be a more present mother. I'm not worried about finding a new job — I have a plan.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Kruthika Jayatheertha
Kruthika Jayatheertha

Kruthika Jayatheertha

I struggled to make it to the office due to day care drop-off, so my boss lets me work from home. I sometimes feel guilty about it.

Tech Insider : Business
Georg Loewen
Georg Loewen

Georg Loewen

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