Readers share obstacles to having and raising kids today, and what they see as possible solutions.

September 26, 2025

We asked Post readers what they see as obstacles to having kids today, and what they see as possible solutions. Here are some of their responses.

Uncertainty

The biggest obstacle to having kids today is uncertainty. When I talk to my kids (they’re twins who just went to college this fall), they say that even their friends who want kids are just too uncertain about the future to commit to having children. They’re not just concerned about money; they also talk about “losing America.” Right now, their answer for when they plan to have children seems to be “30 at the earliest.”

Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/09/26/parenting-child-care-obstacles-birth-rate/