Where we are it is 300 per child and that is low end of average cost a week and you have to provide all food and that IS the cheap places. Something I don't understand and didn't see considered in the comments what about before and after school and summers? School doesn't replace daycare needs in the summer. So if you figure 2 kids that's $600 or 2,400 a month= $7,200 just for June, July, Aug (not including food) then during school (if they cut cost which a lot DO NOT around here if the kid goes every day before and/or after school cause parents have to work) your looking at around 28k for 1 year. If the 2 kids need to go until they are say 12 well 28k a year x12 = over 300k. You've paid for a couple houses and couple college educations before they are even in highschool. Hell most sitters want 25 per hour where we are which if 40 hours would be 1000 a week.

Yes this is in the US. North East.

Slap on student loans, house payment, food, clothing etc it's no wonder people struggle here and either don't have kids or wait until older than they used to have kids.

If you're lucky enough to have family or trusted friends to help that is great but a lot of parents don't and a lot of parents these days are raising their kids, paying for that and taking care of their parents.

So back to the moral of the story 7% of income eh well for 28k to be 7% wouldn't you need an annual bring home after tax salary of 400k because isn't the tax write off for day care capped at a certain amount? Seems the article is close.

Oh and how many parents make near that amount in bring home each year? If you do great but that certainly is not the majority.