Balancing Childcare and Full-Time Work in 2025: Navigating the Trade War and Economic Stress

For many Canadian families, 2025 has brought a perfect storm of economic pressures. Between the ongoing trade war with the U.S., rising inflation, and the looming threat of recession, full-time working parents are being pushed to their limits—especially those in the construction industry. The cost of living is up, reliable childcare is harder to find, and job security is more fragile than ever. At Rely Construction, we recognize these struggles and strive to support our team and community through every challenge.

As the trade war continues to drive up the price of materials and squeeze the construction sector, many parents are being forced to take on longer hours or multiple roles at work to stay afloat. Meanwhile, the availability and affordability of childcare has dropped, particularly in urban areas like Vancouver where demand continues to outpace supply. For tradespeople, who often work early hours and unpredictable schedules, these factors create enormous stress on daily life.

The result? Parents are increasingly being forced to make impossible choices: between staying on a job site or picking up their kids, between paying for daycare or groceries. This is not sustainable. That’s why now, more than ever, flexibility and employer support are key. At Rely Construction, we prioritize realistic scheduling and team support to help working parents find a healthier work-life balance. We understand that life doesn’t pause when you clock in, and we do our best to create an environment where families can thrive.

We’re also encouraging collaboration across the trades to push for better support—whether it’s government-subsidized childcare programs or more family-friendly job site policies. We’ve seen that when employers show empathy and adaptability, it improves not only morale, but the quality of work being done. A supported worker is a stronger, more focused, more committed one.

As we face the economic uncertainties ahead, Rely Construction is committed to being a builder—not just of homes, but of sustainable careers and stronger families. If you’re a working parent in construction or planning a project with family in mind, talk to us. We believe the best builds happen when people are supported from the ground up.