Amanda H. - Parent
As a Massachusetts resident, I have come to accept that the cost of living is higher here than other areas of the country. Like many, relatives, traditions, and a love of the place we grew up kept my husband and I tied to the Commonwealth in spite of the challenge of affording child care. We were fortunate to both be employed full-time when we learned we would be having our daughter. Like many of our peers, we had student debt, but decided it was time to invest in buying a home as we started our family.
Before our daughter Isabella was born, my husband and I began the search for child care. Several of our friends lived closer to Boston and shared that full-time child care cost them around $400 per week. We were horrified and a bit relieved to find a child care center with an opening for $300 per week. Although less expensive than the cost of care elsewhere in the state, disposable income became nonexistent as we struggled to cover our mortgage, student loan repayments, the rising cost of heating oil and our $15,000 year child care bill.
We eventually ended up selling our home and returned to renting. We also considered having another child, but ultimately decided against it because working to pay for child care while not having the means to enjoy quality time with our family lessened the joy of having a family. Other friends of ours who expanded their family have done so on a five year interval to avoid having two children in day care at the same time.
I support legislation to ensure affordable child care because working-class families like ours need consideration if our Commonwealth intends to retain the talent that drives our economy. The committed child care workers that dedicate their time to caring for our children deserve equal consideration. Ensuring affordable child care is an issue that a majority of MA residents can agree on because it serves the needs of so many directly, including the business community. In addressing this important issue, we will not only bolster our economy by allowing more parents to re-enter the workforce, As a Massachusetts resident, I have come to accept that the cost of living is higher here than other areas of the country. Like many, relatives, traditions, and a love of the place we grew up kept my husband and I tied to the Commonwealth in spite of the challenge of affording child care. We were fortunate to both be employed full-time when we learned we would be having our daughter. Like many of our peers, we had student debt, but decided it was time to invest in buying a home as we started our family.
Before our daughter Isabella was born, my husband and I began the search for child care. Several of our friends lived closer to Boston and shared that full-time child care cost them around $400 per week. We were horrified and a bit relieved to find a child care center with an opening for $300 per week. Although less expensive than the cost of care elsewhere in the state, disposable income became nonexistent as we struggled to cover our mortgage, student loan repayments, the rising cost of heating oil and our $15,000 year child care bill.
We eventually ended up selling our home and returned to renting. We also considered having another child, but ultimately decided against it because working to pay for child care while not having the means to enjoy quality time with our family lessened the joy of having a family. Other friends of ours who expanded their family have done so on a five year interval to avoid having two children in day care at the same time.
Working-class families like ours need consideration if our Commonwealth intends to retain the talent that drives our economy. The committed child care workers that dedicate their time to caring for our children deserve equal consideration. Ensuring affordable child care is an issue that a majority of MA residents can agree on because it benefits so many directly, bolsters our economy by allowing more parents to re-enter the workforce, and makes the Commonwealth more attractive to those who might otherwise leave to raise a family.