This 32-year-old Tennessee mom blasted $10,000/year childcare costs, says it’s not possible for families without grandparents willing to help — is she right or is there another way?

Will lawmakers come to the rescue?

With so many Americans struggling to afford childcare costs, it seems pretty clear that it’s a systemic issue rather than just a problem with individual family budgets.

Indeed, the average cost of childcare nationwide comes in at $11,582 per child, per year and exceeds both rent and mortgage payments in many parts of the country.

While some in Congress have made noise about the issue, and some lawmakers have even proposed bills to relieve the pressure — such as offering childcare subsidies — neither President-Elect Donald Trump, nor Vice-President Kamala Harris, made this issue a centerpiece of their recent campaigns.

Further, the future Vice-President, JD Vance, suggested that the solution may be to turn to grandparents to provide “free” care — which isn't something that can be achieved through legislation, and is unrealistic for many American families regardless.

With numerous other priorities coming to the forefront, including action on immigration and inflation, it's unlikely that a childcare bill is going to pass any time soon.

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Are grandparents really a solution?

The idea of grandparents providing care is nice in theory — assuming they’re willing and able to take on multiple grandchildren. It wouldn’t be unusual, either.

According to the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau, one in five parents rely on a relative to handle childcare.

The problem, however, is that it is not a viable option for many families. As Udy indicated in the Business Insider interview, her children's grandparents live far away — in one case, in an entirely different country.

"We are always tired," Udy said. "It's easy to let jealousy slip in when our friends in similar situations have family support that will come at the drop of a hat."

Many families are geographically diverse these days, so not everyone has grandparents living next door. In addition, many older adults are delaying retirement for a variety of reasons.

Even if there were grandparents around, there’s no guarantee they’d want to take on the mental and emotional burden that comes with helping raise small children.

What can parents do if they don't have help?

So, what is the solution for parents who find childcare unaffordable and don't have willing and able relatives coming to the rescue?

One option is for one parent to stay home, but this solution comes with a myriad of additional challenges, including the fact it may not be a cost-effective option and would likely significantly reduce household income for the long-term.

Another solution could be for parents to try to coordinate their hours, working in shifts so one is on the job and the other is with the kids. This isn't feasible in every field, though, and it can cause added stress on relationships by limiting family time.

Parents may also want to look at other options, too. Doing a nanny share with a few neighbors, for example, might be a better deal. Or you could look into small local churches or preschools that may come at a lower cost.

The most important thing is to find a safe, caring environment for your kids that's within your budget. This may seem like finding a needle in a haystack, so start reaching out to your network, exploring your care options, and researching ASAP to find the solution that's right for you.