Elon Musk says people should worry less about the cost of having children, and 'start immediately'

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Elon Musk encouraged people to have kids immediately at a pro-Trump rally on Saturday.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk said people worry too much about the cost of raising children.

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I quit my job to look after my grandchildren. My son initially paid me $10 an hour, but now I gladly do it for free.

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A grandmother embraces her granddaughter outdoors. They're both smiling.
A grandmother (not pictured) said being paid to look after her grandchild made her feel like an "employee."

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I moved across the world to live with my son and daughter-in-law. It was a sacrifice, but I wanted to help with childcare.

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A grandmother helps her granddaughter dress for school.
Nan Ray, not pictured, moved from India to the US because she felt it was her grandmotherly "duty" to care for her grandchildren.

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I can't afford a babysitter to watch my kids while I work. I rely on their grandmother and my partner for childcare.

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A grandmother sits in a table to draw with her grandson.

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Ali Wong leans on her mom and ex-husband to succeed as a working mom

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Ali Wong attends the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards
Ali Wong (pictured) has two kids, aged 6 and 8.

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We moved my mom in to help us take care of our triplets. We couldn't afford childcare, but we also couldn't do it alone.

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A mom, dad, grandmother, and triplets stand in a backyard dressed for a costume party.
Stephanie Ross, left, with her mom, Monica Ross, husband, Andrew Philippe, and their triplets dressed up for a costume party.

Courtesy of Stephanie Ross

Parents are turning to a 'paid village' to handle childcare and cleaning. Costs range from $500 to $2,600 a month.

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Teacher Keshawna Edwards zips up the coat of Montana Mason, 3, before recess at Little Flowers Early Childhood and Development Center
Parents in the US are paying from $500 to $2,600 for child care.

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I moved from Texas to Massachusetts and took a 20% pay cut to live near my parents. They get to help with our kids.

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A family of four sitting around a table at a restaurant
Kim Guillois and her family made some financial sacrifices to move nearer to her parents.

Courtesy of Kim Guillois

I'm in my 70s and don't babysit my grandchildren. I've already done my time raising kids.

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A grandmother holding framed photographs of her grandchildren.
Nirmala Sequeira, 71, loves her five grandkids but doesn't babysit them.

Courtesy of Nirmala Sequeira

Dads are work-from-home winners — but ditching the office has downsides

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3 dads in a park pushing strollers
Working from home lets some dads spend more time with their kids, but has also come with costs.

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