Working parents are hurting in the U.S. and this is what they need

It isn’t easy being a working parent in America. Take child care for example: the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has a baseline of affordability which states that childcare is considered affordable when it costs no more than seven percent of household income.

In reality, according to a recent survey, the average household spend on childcare this year is 24 percent of the household pot. In a wider economic environment of fluctuating inflation, layoffs and rising food bills, those numbers are not sustainable for many families.

In that context, it won’t come as a surprise that more than one-third (35 percent) of parents are using their savings to help fund childcare services. This situation looks set to worsen as $24 billion of supports activated during the pandemic ended in September 2023.

This year, 79 percent of parents say this will impact on their childcare costs, with 54 percent saying they’ll expect to spend $600 or more per month on childcare. In total, these parents will need to find an extra $7,000 in additional costs.

But financial implications are just one of the barriers working parents face. A 2022 Ohio State University study found that around 66 percent of working parents in the U.S. suffer from parental burnout. This is a state of overwhelm where exhaustion, anxiety and irritability add up to burnout for the individual––and poorer performance at work.

Burnout isn’t helped by paid family leave, or the lack thereof. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has found that 73 percent of those working in the private sector have no access to paid family leave.

All of these issues have added up to a sharp rise in the number of American mothers who are stay-at-home parents, according to a study from Mother.ly. In 2023, 24 percent of mothers were stay-at-home, up from 15 percent in 2022.

And according to figures from Pew Research Center, fathers now represent 18% of stay-at-home parents, up from 11% in 1989.

Flexible working and affordable childcare are two big gaps that need to be addressed in order to attract and retain parents, particularly women, in the workforce. What workers also want are good paid leave policies, healthcare and 401(k) contributions. In other words, tangible benefits.

However, a solution could lie in a concept being pioneered in San Francisco. This spring, a new co-working pre-school concept, Savanna, will open in the city. Billed as a “learn, play workspace”, it will offer on-site co-working for parents, as well as licensed infant/toddler care, and a nursery school, which offers kids’ programs in STEM, among other subjects.

Time will tell on the adoption and success of that, but in the meantime, if you want to move to an employer where benefits are better, then The Hill Jobs Board is the place to start your search.

It contains thousands of open roles all across the country, like the three below.

Meeting Planner, Tribal Tech LLC, Alexandria

Tribal Tech is a Native American, woman-owned small business providing professional services to federal, state, local, tribal, and private sector clients. As the Meeting Planner, you’ll be involved in planning and logistical support, including onsite support, for national and regional tribal grantee conferences with 200-500 attendees, and advisory council meetings with 15-20 attendees. You will also process expense report reimbursements for grantee travel to national and regional conferences, understand Federal Travel Regulations and GSA per diem rates, and maintain a calendar of technical assistance/training and other events in collaboration with organizational partners and the federal client. To be considered, you’ll need a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, plus three to four years’ of relevant work experience. Explore more details on this role.

Market Director of Clinical Services, Longevity Health Plan, Virginia

A wide range of benefits are available for the successful hire of this Market Director of Clinical Services job at Longevity Health Plan​​. A 401(k) matching, AD&D, dental health, life and disability insurances, as well as an employee assistance program are on offer. In return, you’ll be responsible for achieving clinical, medical loss ratio and quality goals, and you will act as the local market ISNP expert, provide education, support and coaching of the clinical team and work in partnership with the local medical director and market present/vice president. Those interested in applying should have a clinical background working in nursing homes or supervising staff in nursing homes, and experience in clinical quality program design, utilization management plan implementation, working in a managed care plan/risk bearing entity. Find out more now.

External Relations Officer, Center for International Private Enterprise, Washington

The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) strengthens democracy around the world through private enterprise and market-oriented reform, and as External Relations Officer (ERO) you will be responsible for coordinating work related to CIPE’s external advancement and other strategic organizational development projects. You will serve as the project manager on efforts intended to raise CIPE’s public profile and ensure long-term financial stability. In return, CIPE offers competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, flexible spending, paid family leave, life insurance, 401(k), commuter benefits, telework, and more. See all the role’s responsibilities here.

To see all the employers hiring at the moment, check out The Hill Jobs Board