• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire

2

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

3

The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure

1

The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire

2

Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year

3

The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure
SuccessChildcare

Strung-out summer: Unaddressed childcare issues push parents to the brink

By
Chloe Berger
Chloe Berger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Chloe Berger
Chloe Berger
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 27, 2024, 2:37 PM ET
Summer proves trying for parents, as some are pushed into debt or changing work hours to fill in gaps.
Summer proves trying for parents, as some are pushed into debt or changing work hours to fill in gaps. Jecapix—Getty Images

Are you a parent struggling to find care this summer? Reach out to chloe.berger@fortune.com to share your story.

Recommended Video

While kids might count down the days until summer every year, parents are less likely to to await the season with bated breath. Their trepidation doesn’t stem from an increase in Bluey watch parties, but rather a mounting pressure when it comes to childcare responsibilities.

Another (beach) ball has been lobbed at working parents who are already juggling care and career responsibilities: finding supervision for their kids during their school vacation. While summer break is nothing new, years marked by a high cost of living and a nationwide childcare crisis means that parents are more strapped than usual. The heat turns up in the summer, after all.

That cost of finding childcare means that almost a third (29%) of parents report being unable to save in the summer, according to a Intuit Credit Karma survey of more than 2,000 adults. More than half (61%) of parents note that raising a kid feels more expensive during the dog days of summer, with 40% reporting that they worry the most about their finances at this time.

“The high cost of childcare is not a seasonal issue. It plagues parents year-round; however, the summer months can be especially challenging as kids are out of school and parents are on the hook for keeping them entertained, and under adult supervision,” Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma, tells Fortune. 

While the price of finding supervision varies per state, the national average cost of care ($11,582 in 2023) represents 10% of a couple’s and 32% of a single household’s median income—per a recent report from Child Care Aware of America. That’s greater than the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ suggested 7%, the authors note. 

During COVID-19, the care system’s crisis deepened, as the field already defined by low wages experienced greater turnover due to burnout. As pandemic-era aid that provided temporary relief ended, inflation continued to exert pressure on the already broken infrastructure as parents struggled to find affordable options. 

The mounting price tag forced parents, especially mothers, out of the workforce. “Over the last several decades, dual-income households have become increasingly common as more women entered the workforce, helping contribute to their families economic success,” said Alev. “Unfortunately, rising costs associated with raising children has led many parents to having to make career sacrifices because unaffordable childcare surpasses some parents’ earnings.”

Even as the high cost of living ebbs and certain states tackle the childcare crisis, parents are still finding themselves struggling to keep their heads above water. Finding care too expensive, 35% of parents have to change their work hours to make do; young generations are especially impacted, at 51% of Gen Zers and 40% of millennials. “This trend could be especially detrimental for young parents who are earlier on in their careers,” adds Alev.

And summer camp isn’t an option for many households, as 40% of parents report that the cost of living means they can’t afford such programs. Of those that are taking their kids to camp, 28% are going into debt or resorting to buy-now, pay-later options to cover the expense. 

With their employees likely floundering a bit, companies have a chance to step in and make sure the crisis doesn’t force their workforce out the door. “As Americans adapt to a new normal, where their money doesn’t go as far as it once did, employers and corporations can prioritize fair wages, benefits packages, and growth opportunities within their companies,” says Alev, highlighting flexible schedules and paid-family leave as potential salves.

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
By Chloe Berger
LinkedIn iconTwitter icon
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Success

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Success

Simon Sinek says the most successful people in the world ‘hit zero’ or came close to it: Failure is ‘the gift’
Successmanagement advice
Simon Sinek says the most successful people in the world ‘hit zero’ or came close to it: Failure is ‘the gift’
By Sydney LakeMay 25, 2026
15 hours ago
Forget quiet quitting—4 in 10 millennials are taking ‘quiet vacations’ and checking out of work (and the country) on company dime instead
SuccessMillennials
Forget quiet quitting—4 in 10 millennials are taking ‘quiet vacations’ and checking out of work (and the country) on company dime instead
By Orianna Rosa RoyleMay 25, 2026
15 hours ago
Kevin O'Leary gestures while testifying before Congress
Successwork culture
Shark Tank star Kevin O’Leary blasts the 4-day week as the ‘stupidest idea’ because the digital economy means we’re always working
By Preston ForeMay 25, 2026
15 hours ago
Becky Schmitt, the chief people officer of PepsiCo
Future of WorkWorkplace Innovation Summit
PepsiCo CPO says their ‘secret sauce’ to hiring top talent is that they all have hustle—And are agile and curious in the AI era
By Emma BurleighMay 25, 2026
16 hours ago
b
Economybaby boomers
The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire
By Nick LichtenbergMay 25, 2026
19 hours ago
40 is the new 50: Millennial jobseekers are giving their resumes a facelift by hiding years of experience to land jobs
Future of WorkCareers
40 is the new 50: Millennial jobseekers are giving their resumes a facelift by hiding years of experience to land jobs
By Jacqueline MunisMay 24, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire
Economy
The pig in the python: Baby Boomers are strangling the economy they built by refusing to move or retire
By Nick LichtenbergMay 25, 2026
19 hours ago
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
Success
Jeff Bezos wants the bottom half of earners to pay zero income tax—he says nurses making just $75K should save $12K a year
By Preston ForeMay 21, 2026
4 days ago
The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure
Travel & Leisure
The U.S. campaigned to host the World Cup. Now soccer fans will trade their countries' train system for the U.S.'s 'D' rated infrastructure
By Catherina GioinoMay 25, 2026
15 hours ago
Elon Musk's best friend could make more than $100 billion from SpaceX's IPO. His firm is also owed billions by SpaceX
Investing
Elon Musk's best friend could make more than $100 billion from SpaceX's IPO. His firm is also owed billions by SpaceX
By Eva RoytburgMay 25, 2026
14 hours ago
A billionaire and an A-list actor found refuge in a 37-home Florida neighborhood with armed guards—proof that privacy is now the ultimate luxury
Real Estate
A billionaire and an A-list actor found refuge in a 37-home Florida neighborhood with armed guards—proof that privacy is now the ultimate luxury
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezMay 25, 2026
15 hours ago
Uber CEO says rideshare 'freed up' his son from having to get a driver’s license—and he's one of many Gen Zers who aren’t willing to drive
Lifestyle
Uber CEO says rideshare 'freed up' his son from having to get a driver’s license—and he's one of many Gen Zers who aren’t willing to drive
By Sasha RogelbergMay 24, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.