For Grace R., every day is a careful calculation—of dollars, hours, and choices. From their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Grace and her husband are raising two young boys: Francis, age 3, and Oliver, age 2. Grace stays home to care for the children, not by choice, but by necessity. The cost of child care is so steep that full-time care for both boys is simply out of reach.
Caught in the Middle
The family once qualified for a voucher to help cover child care for Francis, but as their financial situation shifted just above the poverty guidelines, the assistance disappeared. That technical disqualification didn’t erase their very real financial hardship. Now, without reliable child care, Grace is unable to return to the workforce, despite her desire to do so. The catch-22 is painfully familiar to many families: without work, they can’t afford care; without care, she can’t work.
Her husband, employed as a contractor, brings in income, but with it comes the burden of purchasing private health insurance—an expense that’s both financially draining and functionally inadequate. Most pediatricians in their area aren’t covered by their plan, forcing the family to pay out-of-pocket for essential visits and medical needs. These costs pile up quickly, adding to their stress and limiting what they can offer their children.
Grace sees a clear solution: the Child Tax Credit. When the enhanced version of this benefit was in place, families like hers experienced immediate relief. With a restored and expanded Child Tax Credit, Grace says they would finally be able to afford child care for both boys, buy nutritious groceries, and secure better health coverage. In her words, “Inflation is affecting the way we care for our children.” And for families just barely making ends meet, that impact is crushing.
Bringing Their Story to Capitol Hill
That’s why this family joined Strolling Thunder™, an initiative from ZERO TO THREE’s Think Babies™ campaign, bringing their story straight to Capitol Hill. They are advocating for an enhanced, fully refundable Child Tax Credit, and for vital supports like Medicaid, SNAP, and TANF that serve as lifelines for families. Their message is clear: economic security is not a luxury, it’s a necessity — and every child, including Francis and Oliver, deserves the stability to thrive.
