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Youngsville Today
By the People, for the People
Mothers Staying in Workforce Despite Rising Costs
Flexible work arrangements and financial pressures keep more women with young children employed.
Published on Feb. 16, 2026
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The share of women with children under 5 who are working or looking for work has remained above pre-pandemic levels, driven by factors like more flexible work policies and the rising cost of living. While some mothers are able to balance work and caregiving responsibilities, others feel compelled to remain employed due to financial pressures despite the challenges of affording child care.
Why it matters
The elevated labor force participation of mothers with young children reflects both positive changes, like more remote and flexible work options, as well as concerning economic realities, like the soaring costs of essentials like groceries, housing, and child care. Understanding these trends is crucial for developing policies that support working families.
The details
Mothers surged into the workforce during the pandemic, with the share of women with children under 5 who are working or looking for work peaking at nearly 71% in September 2023. This elevated participation has persisted, partly due to more employers offering flexible office policies that allow parents, especially mothers, to better balance work and caregiving responsibilities. However, the financial pressure of rising costs of living is also a major factor, compelling more mothers to remain employed despite the challenges of affording child care.
- The share of women with children under 5 who are working or looking for work peaked at nearly 71% in September 2023.
- Hiring in January 2026 was stronger than expected, according to the Labor Department.
The players
Kathryn Anne Edwards
A labor economist and policy consultant.
Kelsey Whitlatch
A 28-year-old mother of two in Moundsville, West Virginia, who left her job as a hairstylist in October 2023 but later got a job at a day care that closed soon after.
Cameron Hulin
A 28-year-old living in Youngsville, Louisiana, with a 3-year-old daughter. She and her husband, an electrician, have struggled to afford the $550 monthly cost of preschool and have decided she will become a stay-at-home mother when her daughter's program ends in the summer.
What they’re saying
“It's not something to be proud of. If anything, it just reflects that they might be more desperate for money.”
— Kathryn Anne Edwards, labor economist and policy consultant (The New York Times)
“We were going under so bad. Every day I'm grateful -- I know we could definitely be way worse. I'm glad we're at least sustaining, to some extent.”
— Kelsey Whitlatch (The New York Times)
“It's hard stepping away from something I enjoy. But my purpose is going to be fulfilled still, being there with my kids.”
— Cameron Hulin (The New York Times)
The takeaway
The rise in mothers with young children remaining in the workforce reflects both positive changes, like more flexible work options, and concerning economic realities, like the soaring costs of essentials. Understanding these trends is crucial for developing policies that truly support working families and address the challenges they face.
