Almost 50% of Parents Report Having to Cut Back on Necessities Like Food in Order to Afford Back-to-School Essentials

August 7, 2024 – A new survey of over 750 parents by ParentsTogether Action, a nonprofit parent and family advocacy group that represents more than 3 million families across the US, reveals that families are navigating high levels of economic stress as children head back-to-school. 

These findings, which come in the context of increased attention on policies like an expanded Child Tax Credit, affordable child care, and paid leave confirm that parents across the country are desperate for more support as they work every day to give their kids the best life possible.

“Summer months already put a strain on family budgets thanks to things like added child care costs, and now families are scrambling to find a way to afford hundreds of dollars of school supplies and other back-to-school essentials,” said Ailen Arreaza, Executive Director of ParentsTogether Action. “As parents across the country make impossible trade-offs to be able to afford markers and backpacks, it’s clear that it’s long past time we send families more support.” 

Families Are Struggling Right Now

64% of parents surveyed said they are having trouble making ends meet and report that the biggest challenges they face are affording food (67%), with affording school supplies and back-to-school essentials (65%) a close second. 56% say they’re struggling to afford utilities and 52% report challenges affording basic essentials like gas or diapers.

Back-to-School Is Making Economic Challenges Even More Acute  

As kids return to school throughout August and into September, 75% of parents surveyed said that back to school is a stressful time for their family. 

The survey finds that the added costs associated with back-to-school are amplifying the economic challenges families already face, with 69% reporting that they are worried about affording school supplies or clothing. In addition to economic challenges, parents also worry about their children’s well being as they head back to school, with 47% responding that they are worried about bullying and 45% about their kid’s mental health.

On average, parents reported spending $311 on back-to-school expenses for each child.  

Families Are Having to Make Impossible Choices to Get By 

The survey also reveals that the additional economic stress of the back-to-school period is forcing parents to make impossible decisions in order to get by. 47% of parents reported that they have had to cut back on food expenses to afford back-to-school essentials. 47% also say they have to cut back enrichment activities for their kids to afford back-to-school costs.

“Back-to-school is an incredibly stressful time for families across the country. Between the added stress of affording new school supplies and clothes to concerns about bullying, mental health, and affording school meals, families are at their wits end,” said Ailen Arreaza, Executive Director of ParentsTogether Action. 

“The good news is, we know what policies would help, and we’re seeing increased attention to solutions like paid leave and the Child Tax Credit in the run-up to November. The bad news is that some elected officials are too busy playing political games to get to work and send real relief to families. We saw this last week when Republican Senators stood in the way of lifting half a million children out of poverty when they blocked an expanded Child Tax Credit from passing. But parents across the country who are worried about how to get their kids the notebooks, colored pencils, and shoes they need are watching, taking note of who is fighting for them – and who is actively trying to make life even more challenging.” 

Here are some challenges parents describe in their own words: 

“My family has a very difficult time making ends meet without the cost of back to school clothing/supplies. Coming up with the $$ to get my grandson the items he needs is extremely hard to do.” Angela, MI 

“Even though my husband and I are full time, we still struggle to make ends meet. We are not eligible for any government assistance. We don’t have NAP, or housing, or anything like that, so we use every dollar we have to get what my boys need for school.” Ericka, FL

“Basically not able to afford new clothes and shoes this time around due to expensive utility bills and other basic household needs.” Maya, OK

“Breakfast/Lunch program for the year; over $600/yr. $50 clear backpack. $30 loose leaf paper. $15 art supplies (color pencils, crayons, glue, tape, scissors, etc.). $10 the schools demanded brand of pencils. $5 quality erasers. The list is like 30 or 40 lines long just for elementary kids & double/triples for middle & high school!” Amy, NH 

“If lunches aren’t free this year how will we afford them for 3 kids daily.” Victoria, WA

“We owe the school for the kids lunches from last year we’re carrying into this next year.” Aingel, WI