A Mom Shares Her Struggle With Daycare Costs
- A mom from South Africa went viral on TikTok after sharing her daycare costs and monthly salary, sparking conversations about childcare expenses.
- The young mother revealed her financial struggles as a graduate living paycheck to paycheck.
- Netizens flooded the comment section with their own experiences, offering advice and support.

Let me tell you a story about a mom who's doing everything she can to make ends meet. This young graduate, like so many others in South Africa, has had to take any job available just to keep her head above water. After paying her toddler's daycare fees, she's left with less than half of her monthly salary. That’s tough, folks. She shared her story on TikTok under the handle @tonidigitalmarketing, and it quickly gained traction, racking up 128,000 views, 5,300 likes, and over 1,400 comments. People couldn’t help but notice her courage and determination.
Her post wasn’t just a cry for help—it was a conversation starter about the realities of raising a child in today’s world. And boy, did it resonate with people.
Her Story: A Single Mom’s Struggle
In her video, the mom opens up about her financial situation. She spends R3,000 on daycare for her 2-year-old every month, which is a big chunk of her R5,700 salary. As a single mom and a graduate, she’s had to take whatever job comes her way because she has a responsibility to her child. She’s not alone in this struggle, but her honesty struck a chord with thousands of viewers.
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Take a look at her video below and see why it touched so many hearts:
South Africans React to Her Dilemma
Once the video dropped, the comments section blew up. People from all walks of life chimed in, sharing their own experiences with daycare costs. Some were genuinely shocked by the amounts being spent, while others nodded in agreement, knowing all too well the weight of these expenses. It became a platform for parents to voice their concerns and offer advice.
User @Marelize chimed in, saying, “My son homeschools, and I pay R1,450 for six months only. He studies online! It’s been a game-changer for us.”
Another user, @sunshine.s5, detailed her child’s expenses: “My daughter is in Grade R, and we pay R4,700 in fees, R850 for swimming lessons, and R350 for ballet. She wants to try gymnastics next year, so I guess she’s found her calling—or maybe she’s planning on paying for college early!”
@Sneh added, “These amounts are crazy, guys! How do you manage to cover groceries, car payments, and everything else? It’s like juggling a thousand balls at once.”
@RizzleDrizzle✨ was deeply moved by the mom’s story: “I’m so sorry, mamma. You’re doing an incredible job raising your child. Can we rally together to help her find a better job? Would relocating be an option? You’re such a rockstar mom.”
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Even those without kids couldn’t resist joining the conversation. @MissM1212 said, “Reading these comments as someone without kids, I can only imagine how hard you all work. You deserve a hug every single day.”
@Ayanda Chantell❤️ pointed out something interesting: “UGH, guys, are ALL your kids in private schools? What about public schools? There’s gotta be a balance somewhere, right?”
When Celebrities Step In: Pearl Thusi Helps a Mom Out
While this mom’s story has sparked a national dialogue, it’s not the first time we’ve seen someone step up to help a parent in need. In a separate story covered by Briefly News, actress and DJ Pearl Thusi made headlines after pledging to pay for a mom’s child’s school fees. Siviwe Matroos, the recipient of this generosity, had initially asked her friend DJ Zinhle to split the costs with her. But Pearl stepped in, proving that kindness knows no bounds.
Stories like these remind us that while raising a child comes with its challenges, there’s also a community of people ready to support one another. Whether it’s through sharing advice, offering encouragement, or even lending a helping hand, we’re all in this together.


