Currently, family law in New York states that non-custodial parents are not required to pay the costs of childcare unless the custodial parent has a job. This would be acceptable if the working parent shares equal time with raising the Child with the custodial parent so they both have equal opportunities for employment, or in cases where the working parent is not involved in the Child's life, the working parent provides additional financial support to the custodial parent as well--but this only applies in divorce cases through alimony.  

The law in its current state puts all the responsibility of raising the child on the custodial parent, usually the mother, who is forced to care for the child(ren) full-time without any help while looking for a job, as the working parent enjoys free child care. This should not be the case. Any parent holding a job should pay his/her share of child care, as someone needs to look after the child regardless of who the child care provider is. The parent looking for a job should not be forced to have all the responsibility without any support while the working parent is not obliged to help nor is held responsible for any child care costs. Both parents have financial obligations, as they are no longer together. 

Many times the cost of child care equals, or exceeds, the cost of rent. In New York City, for example, the cost of child care can surpass the cost of rent. If parents were to support each other, where one parent works to provide while one parent cares for the child, and in return, the parent caring for the child receives a prorated share of the cost for child care, it could actually be cheaper than getting external help and might help the parent caring for the child cover some of the costs of rent so that the child can be raised by family instead of strangers. It's a win-win for everyone. 

Custodial parents should not be forced to care for the couple's children on their own without any help, nor be the only ones responsible for costs to get help if needed, simply because of being unemployed. There may be circumstances where the custodial parent can't be employed, such as being hospitalized, having a special needs child, having more than one child where it's more suitable to be a 'stay at home' parent than pay day care for two, caring for a family member, among others. Custodial parents can also be in a financial position where they don't need employment and decide to care for the child themselves and get assistance from time to time. Whatever the reason, a custodial parent should receive prorated support for raising the child if the noncustodial parent is employed. Custodial parents shouldn't be forced to take care of the couple's children on their own and have to be financially responsible for any help they might need.

Working parents should have to pay their share of childcare, regardless if the other parent is working or not. When working parents pay their prorated costs for childcare, they are balancing out responsibilities as both parents are helping each other out. While one parent works, the other cares for the child in return to help the working parent, and in return should be compensated. This does not mean the working parent is providing for the nonworking parent, but it creates a balance that helps both parents out and allows the child to be raised by his/her parents instead of strangers. 

Help us make this change so that there is a fair share of responsibilities between both parents, which results in the best care for every child.