The State of Motherhood 2025: What the Data Reveals — and What Moms Can Do

Motherhood today is often painted in hues of joy and love, but beneath the surface lie pressures and strains that many moms wrestle with in silence. In its 2025 State of Motherhood survey, Motherly gathered responses from more than 2,200 U.S. mothers to illuminate what’s working, what’s broken, and what change is needed.  

What emerges is a portrait of resilience and frustration — and, just as importantly, room for action. Below is a summary of key insights from the study and tips for moms navigating these very real challenges.

Cracks and Strengths in the 2025 Motherhood Experience

Childcare is increasingly unaffordable

54% of mothers say childcare is “barely” or “not at all” affordable. 

39% of moms list childcare costs among their top two financial burdens — second only to general financial uncertainty (44%).  

Among Millennial and Gen Z mothers, 50% and 52%, respectively, have considered leaving their jobs because the cost and stress of childcare outweigh their earnings.  

These numbers suggest that for many mothers, the economic logic of working is under siege—when the cost (and logistics) of care cancel out or erase the gains of employment.

Financial strain clouds family decisions

Over two-thirds of mothers report worry about whether their children will be able to afford the life they hope for them.  

Among mothers who are uncertain or say “no” to having more children, common deterrents are financial strain, lack of support, and cost of care. 

Only 9% of mothers believe their voice is heard in policymaking; 74% say it is not.  

In other words, many mothers feel that the economic and structural systems shaping their lives operate without their input or regard.

Loneliness and social isolation are growing

A striking 70% of mothers say motherhood is lonelier than they expected.  

One in five mothers feel loneliness every single day.  

While motherhood always has had moments of solitude, the survey suggests that isolation is now a defining reality rather than a peripheral challenge.

Motherhood is still about forging communities

Despite the gaps in policy and institutional support, many mothers are building micro-infrastructures of care: “parent pods,” rotating child-care arrangements, hybrid meetups, and renewed reliance on extended family. 

These emergent networks show promise: as mothers stitch together support systems, indicators of connection and confidence rise.  

In a sense, mothers are not waiting for reform; they are prototyping their own safety nets.

What This Tells Us: Interpreting the Findings

The systemic burden is real. The data reinforce that childcare, income insecurity, and policy invisibility are not fringe or anecdotal—they are foundational to many mothers’ daily lives.

Strain drives choices. When mothers consider leaving work, not having more children, or scaling back their aspirations, these are not decisions made lightly — they are responses to systemic constraints.

Identity and well-being suffer. Loneliness, disconnection, and lack of recognition chip away at mothers’ social and emotional health.

Grassroots response matters — but won’t replace structural reform. The emergent support networks and community models are inspiring, but they exist as stopgaps within a broader landscape that still largely fails to account for mothers.

Tips & Strategies for Moms (and Allies) to Navigate These Challenges

Here are practical, actionable ideas that individual moms (or communities) can try — not to pretend these are full solutions, but to help recapture agency, reduce isolation, and build resilience.

Form or join a “parent pod” or cooperative childcare arrangement

Pooling resources and rotating caregiving time among trusted peers can significantly reduce individual burden.

Start small (two or three families) and rotate childcare shifts or share drop-off/pick-up duties.

Draft simple agreements about expectations, responsibilities, communication, and backup plans.

Consider paying it forward: if one parent is home one day, they may “bank” time and be covered later.

Prioritize micro-connection to fight loneliness

Loneliness is insidious when life is busy. Intentional, small moments of connection can shift that.

Schedule short weekly check-ins (virtual or in person) with another mom or friend — even 15 minutes.

Join local mom or parenting groups (through social media, places of worship, libraries) and show up when possible.

Host or attend casual playdates or walks, not just “full events” — low expectation, low pressure.

Share honestly about the hard parts; vulnerability fosters deeper bonds.

Budget and financial planning tools with childcare in mind

Because childcare is such a heavy expense, treating it not as a “line item” but as a central part of financial planning helps.

Use a “cost-of-care” forecast: project what childcare might cost in upcoming years (especially for siblings) and build into your savings plan.

Seek sliding-scale or subsidized childcare options (community centers, non-profits, cooperative programs).

Explore dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs), state credits, or tax benefits for childcare (where available).

Track “hidden care costs” (commuting, emergency backup, supplies) so your true cost picture is accurate.

Advocate locally and collectively

While individual action matters, systemic change is essential over time.

Share your experiences with local school boards, town councils, or parent-teacher associations — data is powerful.

Partner with other moms to launch petitions, town halls, or working groups focused on childcare access, community spaces, or family policy.

Vote with awareness: seek candidates or platforms that prioritize families, childcare, parental leave, and caregiver support.

Build self-care into small windows

It’s easy for self-care to feel indulgent. Instead, treat it as a vital investment with small steps.

Even 5 minutes a day of deep breathing, journaling, or a short walk can reset tension.

Let go of perfection: cleaning up later, skipping one chore, outsourcing small tasks (grocery delivery, laundry pick-up) when possible.
Ask for reciprocal help — grandparents, partners, friends — and remind yourself that accepting help is strength.

Leverage community and technology

Use apps or platforms that connect caregivers (local babysitters, shared childcare networks).

Engage in online forums or social media groups for mothers in your region — they often share leads on support, trade babysitting, resource-sharing.

Host or embed hybrid meetups (virtual + in person) to overcome logistical challenges (weather, scheduling).

Building a Mother-Friendly Future

The 2025 State of Motherhood study is a clarion call: motherhood today is marked by deep struggle, yes — but also tenacity, creativity, and communal repair. As mothers continue to build micro-infrastructure, the work of demanding systemic support must go hand in hand.

For moms reading this: you are not alone. Start small. Share your load. Connect. And let your proactive steps ripple outward. With time, those micro-pivots can become community shifts, and community shifts can become societal change.