For six years, Mackenzie Bruegge worked in medical billing. But with two young children at home, she says the math just didn't add up. Her decision to quit reflects a national trend.

West Branch

Mackenzie Brugge, a mother of two, left her job in medical billing after finding that childcare costs would consume most of her earnings. She attempted to work from home while caring for her children, but found the demands overwhelming. Her decision to leave the workforce reflects a broader national trend, with over 400,000 women exiting the U.S. workforce in the first half of the year—a decline not seen in more than 40 years for mothers of young children.

Economist Misty Heganess attributes this trend primarily to insufficient childcare support and policies for caregivers. Many women, faced with the choice between work and family, are opting to stay home, often not by preference but due to financial necessity. Brugge reports improved well-being for herself and her children since leaving her job, highlighting the ongoing struggle for work-life balance among working mothers.

Behind the steep decline in young mothers leaving the workforce

Oh, for six years, Mackenzie Brugge worked in medical billing, but with two young children, she says the math just didn't add up. The average daycare we found was about 500 a week, and I made maybe a thousand dollars every two weeks. So then with two kids, I was like, this just doesn't make sense. It would just cancel out my check. Yeah, and I'd be working right here. She tried working from home while caring for her three-year-old and newborn, but the demands were overwhelming. Working eight hours a day while trying to do this, like my head was spinning all day. The Brugges decided they could live off of Mitchell's income as a plumber. I'm not returning to work the 24th. So in August, Mackenzie said goodbye to a job she once loved. How's your family feeling with one income down? It's not easy. It's doable, but it's definitely hard. Her decision reflects a national trend. More than 400,000 women left the U.S. workforce in the first half of the year, the steepest decline in more than 40 years for mothers of young children. Women are going to start backtracking and coming out of the labor force because it's too intense and exhausting. Economist Misty Heganess found that childcare was a main reason. We don't have enough support and structure around policies that actually help caregivers. When they're faced with this choice, they're not going to leave their children. So they're left with leaving their jobs. Do you wish that this didn't have to be a financial choice for you? Oh, absolutely. Absolutely. I would have much rather make the choice on my own than have to be put in this weird position. Of course. That's a good smile. Brugge says she has a new rhythm and is actually much happier now, and so are her kids. I felt guilt while working, which was very stressful for all of us. How do you feel now? Awesome. Just the extra time has been awesome. Finding a work-life balance that better suits her family. It's like a breath of fresh air, just being able to focus on them. It's still crazy, but when I compare it to working and dealing with them, it's nothing compared to that. Lana Zak, CBS News, West Branch, Iowa.

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