We did not, however, come up with a comprehensive child care plan. This may seem like an oversight, but I didn't know what I wanted. My husband has a full-time job, and I'm a freelancer who works from home; my schedule changes often. It was hard to know how much child care I would be able to do when I didn't quite know what a day with a baby entailed. We decided we'd get started on our own, and then hire part-time help to fill in the gaps.
Miya Walker, 25, wasn't worried about child care costs when she was pregnant with her son in 2021. Her data analyst role was remote, and her mom was around when she needed help. But after her son was born in April 2022, her employer pushed going back to the office, an hourlong drive from her home in Snellville, Georgia. Then, her mom's arthritis flared up.