We spend almost $50,000 a year on childcare. It's helped me build the career I wanted.

Karina Monesson pays almost $50,000 a year in childcare. Courtesy of Karina Monesson Karina Monesson is a mom of four who spends tens of thousands of dollars on childcare a year. Childcare has enabled Monesson to pursue career growth. She says the costs are high, but the long-term benefits outweigh them. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Karina Monesson , a working mother of four . It has been edited for length and clarity. My husband and I work full-time corporate jobs. He is in behavioral health, and I work for a technology company. We have four children , ages 11, 5, 2, and 1. Our two youngest are in full-time day care, and my 5-year-old is in kindergarten. We will pay $49,064 in childcare this year We pay $22,204 a year for our 1-year-old and $19,760 for our 2-year-old for their full-time day care .