Addressing the Real Costs of Raising a Family

You may have noticed something strange happening lately. So now we are doing something strange — for us.

We are running our first-ever survey to hear more about what is happening across the country during this affordability crisis so that we can better push toward real solutions to make it easier for parents to raise kids.

Beyond the Headlines: Rhetoric vs. Economic Reality

Why the survey now? What is strange? Some politicians, billionaires, pundits, and influencers are increasingly telling Americans that we need to have more babies and are suggesting incentives like "Motherhood Medals" as they simultaneously cut health care. Some are even blaming and shaming women for falling birth rates.

But here is what we want to know: What do YOU think?

Because while some powerful people are busy telling Americans to have more children as they cut essential family economic security programs, families are dealing with the very real (sky high) costs of raising them. Child care. Housing. Groceries. Health care. Paid family and medical leave.

TAKE THE SURVEY!

Your Experience Shapes the National Conversation on Affordability

Your experiences, your voice, and your perspective are needed to help push back on harmful narratives about moms — and to shape the national policy agenda so we can move toward solutions to the affordability crisis.

So we want to hear what is shaping your (and your close loved ones') decisions about having children and what would actually make it easier for people to build the families they want.

Have rising costs caused you — or a close loved one — to delay having a child? Have you decided against having another because of sky high child care or other basic expenses? What would make a difference? And how does it feel to hear some politicians just telling Americans to have more babies while cutting health care?

Your answers will help MomsRising understand what families are actually experiencing — and also help MomsRising push for the solutions families really need (as we also push back on conversations about families that too often leave families themselves out).

Because families do not need lectures about how many children to have, they need solutions.

We're moms. We love babies and we love our kids. And we need an economy and policies that make it possible for every person to build the family they want and to build good lives.