Mom makes a strong case for newer generations not wanting kids — parents relate to her eye-opening revelation

Many older adults and previous generations express disappointment that younger people are increasingly choosing not to have children. Many couples are delaying parenthood or opting not to become parents at all. While some view this decision as selfish, younger people cite valid and noteworthy reasons.. A mom named Paige Turner – who goes by @sheisapaigeturner on TikTok – strongly advised against calling out people who don’t want to have kids. She argued that raising children in the current economy is a serious undertaking and highlighted concerning reasons that are resonating with many distressed younger individuals.

Turner got straight to the point and shared a daycare brochure she came across on Facebook. It had rates per child depending on their age and the number of hours they would be spending at the daycare. For instance, a few costs read: 

- $404 — $415 to watch infants for a period of 9-10 hours for 2 days.

- $645 — 664 to watch infants for a period of 9-10 hours for 5 days.

- $387 — $399 to watch toddlers for a period of 9-10 hours for 2 days.

- $619 — 637 to watch toddlers for a period of 9-10 hours for 5 days.

- $337 — $345 to watch young preschoolers for a period of 9-10 hours for 2 days.

- $539 — $551 to watch young preschoolers for a period of 9-10 hours for 5 days.

- $320 — $326 to watch preschoolers and pre-kindergarteners for a period of 9-10 hours for 2 days. 

- $511 — $521 to watch preschoolers and pre-kindergarteners for a period of 9-10 hours for 5 days.

“That is just shy of $35,000 a year for one child. No one knows how anyone is affording any of this,” Turner remarked. She added that even as kids grow, for preschoolers and kindergarteners, the prices still have parents struggling. The mom also mentioned that parents who are working 8 hours find it hard to keep kids at daycare for shorter periods and the costs for a few hours are baffling. “If you’re late by even a minute to pick up your child from daycare, they charge you $2 per minute,” she explained. With such a hefty budget allotted only towards childcare for one kid, it becomes impossible for couples to manage raising two or more. “It’s unsustainable for families,” Turner said. In addition to this, there is also an increase in the rates per year that are anywhere between 5% and 20%, further adding a financial burden.

“So when someone tells you they can’t afford a child, it’s often because of the cost of childcare and if it’s not that, it’s the cost of groceries, housing and more,” the mom highlighted. She added that these whopping costs are not just a “parent problem” but also a discouragement for “adults looking to get married in their birthing years.” She noted, “When people ask why you’re not having kids, they’re looking around and saying, ‘How can we afford kids if we can’t even afford a house?’” Parents who are inclined towards child-free lives were relieved to know that someone heard them and related to them.

@twindadtim said, “The older generations have zero idea about how serious younger people are when they say, ‘We can’t afford kids.’” @thecurlyvoage said, “I’ve been working from home with my daughter for two years because daycare costs are so unrealistic for us.” @alleigh15 wrote, “I got passed over for a promotion and cried because it meant having to put off having a second child for another year.” 

You can follow Paige Turner (@sheisapaigeturner) on TikTok for more content on motherhood and parenting.