When Peoria mom Jackie Davis had Rylan, her oldest, she thought she'd go back to teaching full time when he turned one. She didn't.
"When I was looking at the cost of childcare and working full time, it just didn't seem feasible," Davis said.
Then came her daughter, Kaylin, and she knew there was no way.
It turns out, Arizona moms get a tough break. According to personal finance website WalletHub, the state ranks near the bottom for working moms, falling short compared to most other states in categories like child care, work-life balance and professional opportunities for moms.
Out of 10 key metrics, Arizona ranked above average in only two of them; number of pediatricians per capita and daycare quality.
The rankings don't surprise Davis. The struggle to be present for her kids and contribute financially forced her to get creative. So she sets her own hours as a photographer, substitute teacher and essential oils sales representative.
"I'm able to get my kids to their activities," she said. I'm able to support them on a smaller income and I just get to have a lot of fun, which is what I feel is a good balance for me."
Click here to see read the full report.
