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?

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the national average for raising one child ranges between $4,800 to $15,000 per year, depending on where you live. In Knoxville, Tennessee, where Udy resides, daycare costs sit somewhere between $10,000 and $11,000 annually.

The struggle is real for many American families, with 69% of parents reporting that they struggle to cover childcare costs, with 28% of that cohort claiming they had to stop using childcare services because they could no longer afford it.

Many parents have reached a crisis point, leaving American parents wondering what can be done to fix the issue.

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.

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."