Episode 2 | The Real Cost of Motherhood (Spoiler: It’s Not $5K)
Description
In this episode, I rant (lovingly) about the $5,000 "baby bonus" being floated in political circles right now.
TL;DR: it’s nowhere near enough. Not when birth alone can cost over $25K. Not when birthing parents lose income, careers, and their sanity --- plus the ability to control our bladders!
🔥 Quick Hits & Receipts:
- It costs nearly $300K to raise a child to age18: Fast Company
- Moms lose 10% income per child (yes, really): Time Magazine
- Childcare > college tuition in 38 states: Stateline
- The average cost to give birth in the U.S. (with insurance):
- Vaginal: $14,768 (avg), ~$2,655 out-of-pocket
- C-section: $26,280 (avg), ~$3,214 out-of-pocket
- Prenatal to postpartum care: ~$18,865 total
From Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker
💪 Want to Do Something About It?
If you're ready to channel your feral mama rage into action, donate to:
The National Partnership for Women & Families
They fight for paid family leave, maternal health equity, and caregiver economic justice.
🐾 Stay Feral:
Share this episode with your rowdiest group chat. Yell about it at daycare pickup. Leave a review.
And join us next week for more rage, receipts, and rewilding.
#FeralMamasClub | #PaidLeaveNow
United States
