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My husband and I are college professors. I think that places us solidly in the "middle class." However, even though we live in a fairly low rent apartment, have only one car and are both fully employed, we can't actually find child care we can afford. Every month we barely balance our checkbook and...Read more
Shanna, Rhode Island
Having no paid maternity leave from my waitressing job threw my husband and I into financial chaos. It was so stressful - on top of having a newborn, not even knowing how we were going to make what little savings we had last, having to stress about buying diapers and basic survival items. We had...Read more
Melissa
I was an Early Childhood Education teacher for over 25 years. Children who have been in a high quality ECE program have a major advantage when they start public or private school. ECE is crucial in developing a lifetime love of learning, socialization with other children and adults, and basics in...Read more
Pat, Utah
A small bump in my income meant I lost the child care support that was keeping my budget in line and keeping my family stable. I am a single mother of young children and I am in law school with a degree from UW. But three years ago, a single set back destabilized my entire family. A single, and...Read more
Angelica, Washington
I'm writing on behalf of my daughter who had her first child in July. After giving birth her company gave her 6 weeks of medical leave. Unfortunately after the 6 weeks the baby was still on a very unsteady sleeping schedule...usually 3 to 4 hours sleep and then waking and crying to be fed. She was...Read more
Anonymous
I was able to find childcare services through my aunt. The childcare provider she used for her second child was still in the area and close to my home. We visited with her and was sold. I think we were sold because she attend church regularly and her center is in her home. While I was pregnant, I...Read more
Anonymous
Emma is my 5-year-old. She was born weighing 1lb 3oz and was 11in long. She spent her first 4 months of life in the NICU. When she was born I was not given very much hope for her future. She has worked hard from the day she was born to prove the doctors wrong. Emma entered ECEAP [Early Childhood...Read more
Daree, Spokane Valley, WA
While living in California, quality early education/childcare cost as much as I was making. Not having a career position as an executive assistant, leaving the workforce seemed the best option, given that I would be working to hold a place in a career path that was my second choice. (I have a...Read more
Sybil
I was a teacher at the local high school for 7 years. When I got pregnant for the first time, I wanted to do everything...continue teaching in my FFA program AND raise a baby. Turns out it was a hard match. Adding my daughter to my health insurance was one thing (I went from paying $15/month to $...Read more
Michelle
As a grandmother, I had the opportunity to see 1st hand the struggles of my daughter's trying to find trustworthy, affordable daycare for my grand children. My husband and I even picked up the cost of the $150-$225 weekly daycare so that my daughters could afford to work and contribute to the...Read more
Cheryl, Texas

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