"Raising a child and supporting a family is no easy feat. While navigating the changes from childhood to adolescence and young adulthood is challenging in and of itself, the average cost of raising a child to 18 years old costs an estimated $233,610. Not to mention childcare costs are now more than housing and college tuition in most states. Of course, any parent will tell you that the rewards of parenthood far outweigh the costs, monetary or otherwise. But now, President Trump’s newly imposed tariffs are making the costs of parenting even more expensive—the effect of tariffs on families can be seen on everything from grocery bills to car seat prices.
If tariffs news has set you on edge and made you worry about what they mean for the future of your family, you’re not alone. To help assuage your fears and give you an idea of what to expect in the coming weeks and months, I reached out to experts to get the full breakdown of what the Trump tariffs mean for families. Keep reading to learn more.
Experts Consulted
Michelle Young, CFP®, BFA™, ChFC®, CDFA®, ADPA™, APMA™, CRPC™, CLTC®
Michelle Young is a Private Wealth Advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Edina, Minnesota. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 26 years.
Sam Blumenthal
Sam Blumenthal leads communications at Hover, a technology company transforming how property owners protect, maintain, and improve their homes. A seasoned professional with over 14 years experience, Sam has worked for companies across the tech, fashion, and lifestyle space, notably leading consumer communications for Zillow Group’s portfolio of New York brands.
Tariffs Explained
In short, tariffs are taxes on imported goods. Because this makes items more expensive, the goal behind imposing tarrifs is to encourage consumers to build and buy locally. Not only does this help stimulate and grow the domestic economy, but it also generates revenue for the government. It makes sense in theory, but the reality is that steep tariffs often have unintended consequences on consumers—which is exactly what’s happening in the wake of President Trump’s tariffs.
As of April 29, 2025, a minimum tariff rate of 10 percent exists for all imported goods from every country with the exception of China; the country is staring down a tariff rate of 145 percent. While President Trump claims these tariffs are intended to boost the economy and ease a trade deficit, the jury’s still out on this plan. Some economists agree the trade deficit should be remedied because it indicates the U.S. economy is heavily relying on imports and manufacturing elsewhere; meanwhile, others believe it’ll backfire for U.S. jobs and industry, and potentially spark a recession.
Effects of the Trump Tariffs on Families
Regardless of where you fall on the tariff continuum, American consumers are already feeling the impact. Prices are now increasing as businesses try to offset the additional cost of imports. This has not only increased the cost of living, but also made supporting a family that much more difficult. Economists and researchers predict American households will spend anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 more this year alone because of tariffs. Here are some of the tariff effects on families:
“Economists and researchers predict American households will spend anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000 more this year alone because of tariffs.”
1. You’ll pay more for strollers, car seats, and other essential baby items
China’s imposed 145 percent tariff rate will inevitably increase prices on a slew of products, but essential baby items are among those getting hit the hardest. Price tags on strollers and car seats have already surged by 30 percent, and UPPAbaby and other popular brands have announced price increases that’ll go into effect over the coming weeks. What’s more, imported baby formula and disposable diapers might become more expensive. Diapers already run about $800 in the first year, and that amount could rise if companies change pack sizes or bundles to offset costs.
The problem with all of this (besides the obvious) is that it’s left parents “holding the bag.” About 95 percent of strollers and three-quarters of toys and infant furniture are imported from China. According to an article in The Wall Street Journal, manufacturers from elsewhere can’t efficiently live up to America’s rigorous safety standards, so parents have no choice but to eat the cost of vital baby products. Given the administration’s dedication to curbing the declining birth rate with incentives like a $5,000 bonus for having a child, exacerbating the cost of caring for those babies feels like a cruel twist of irony.
“About 95 percent of strollers and three-quarters of toys and infant furniture are imported from China.”
Thankfully, not all hope is lost. Nearly 50 members of the House of Representatives have publicly opposed these tariffs and asked for exemptions on essential baby items. The Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA) issued a letter to the administration requesting the same. And a coalition of U.S. based businesses, led by Babylist CEO Natalie Gordon, published an open letter calling the tariffs a “baby tax” in The Washington Post. While it’s unclear if, when, and how the administration will respond, negotiations are still happening, so we can hold out hope that American families won’t feel the brunt of tariffs.
2. Clothing and sporting equipment will likely see price hikes
Summer is right around the corner, which means that back-to-school shopping is, too. Getting your child ready for the year ahead can cost a pretty penny, and things aren’t looking up this year. According to USA Today, kids’ clothing, shoes, and sporting equipment is poised to more than double in price.
The silver lining is that the price increases on these items will be wholly dependent on their country of origin. Therefore, shopping locally or from American retailers, utilizing consignment stores, and keeping your eyes peeled for the best deals can potentially help offset costs.
3. Buying everyday items might be more challenging
On top of price increases, Michelle Young, CFP®, certified financial planner and private wealth advisor at Ameriprise Financial, predicts consumers will likely be the unwilling victims of supply chain disruptions. Case in point: The volume of products entering U.S. ports has already fallen between 20 to 30 percent—a comparable decrease to April 2020’s 25 percent, which left store shelves empty everywhere.
Given this, turning to and supporting local businesses seems like a logical solution. Unfortunately, Young says the increased demand for local goods might also result in limited supplies. Needless to say, this means that buying everyday items might be more challenging, at least in the immediate future. For this reason, Young suggests searching for alternatives for your favorite products; that way, you’ll know where to turn if your go-to items are out of stock or priced too high for your budget.
4. Grocery bills will continue to be expensive
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but chances are your grocery bill won’t decrease in the immediate future. Families were already feeling the pain at the register before the tariffs, but now certain fresh fruit (like kid-favorite bananas and avocados), nuts, cheese, seafood, beef, and rice are expected to see particularly steep increases.
Thankfully, there are some ways to lower your grocery bill while still feeding your family healthy options. Opting for frozen foods, like fruits, veggies, seafood, and so forth, can be helpful since frozen options are typically cheaper than their fresh counterparts. These foods are actually frozen right after they’re caught or harvested and can maintain freshness longer than their non-frozen counterparts. Likewise, you can also check out a local farmer’s market for good deals on fresh food in season.
5. Home projects will cost more
According to Communications Director at home improvement app Hover, Sam Blumenthal, chances are home projects (think: nursery transformations, basic home renovations, and so forth) will become more expensive because of the new tariffs. “Even when products are made in the U.S., many components—from flooring finishes to windows—rely on imported materials that could see price hikes,” she told me. Likewise, supply shortages might interfere and make projects take longer than predicted to complete.
“Even when products are made in the U.S., many components—from flooring finishes to windows—rely on imported materials that could see price hikes.”
“If you’re a parent planning multiple renovations, it’s wise to prioritize the most urgent spaces first, like a nursery, child’s bedroom, or safe living areas,” Blumenthal said. Similarly, she also recommends locking in estimates early and purchasing key materials upfront. It’s not foolproof, but Blumenthal says this can potentially reduce your chances of experiencing costly changes or delays down the road.
6. The fate of tech and automotive prices will remain ongoing
Technology has become an increasingly useful learning tool for kids, so it’s natural to worry how tariffs might impact the costs of iPads and tablets. So, take some comfort in the fact that, for now, the bulk of imported electronics are exempt from high tariff rates. Instead of a tariff of 145 percent, Apple products made in China are only subject to a 20 percent import fee. While it’s unclear if this is the final rate, buying a smartphone, tablet or computer shouldn’t be too detrimental to your wallet, at least for the immediate future.
“For now, the bulk of imported electronics are exempt from high tariff rates.”
Additionally, car shopping hasn’t been easy these past few years, and there’s an ever-growing fear that President Trump’s newly imposed tariffs will only heighten astronomical car prices and hefty monthly car or lease payments. Right now, foreign-made cars and car parts are subject to a tariff rate of 25 percent; however, companies with U.S. manufacturers don’t have to pay extra for imported car items like steel or aluminum if they come from Mexico or Canada.
While it’s unclear how the automotive industry will be affected from here, there are some steps you can take if you’re in the market for a family-friendly vehicle. This includes looking at options from American dealers like Ford or GMC, as well as used cars with lower mileage. Doing this might help you save a little money on a down payment and lower the price of your monthly car or lease payments. When it comes down to it, though, knowing what you can afford and getting the most bang for your buck in terms of longevity, reliability, and safety is the best way to navigate car shopping as a parent right now.
7. You’ll have to flexible with your budget and prioritize saving
While the current imposed tariffs have given us an idea of what to expect in the coming months. Chances are, prices will fluctuate as the world settles into its “new normal.” The best thing you can do is focus on what you can control right now. To do this, Young recommends adjusting your shopping habits and prioritizing saving. “If it’s not a necessity, it’s better to save your money for the time being,” she said simply. Doing this will make it easier to navigate the financial impacts of these new tariffs.
When it comes down to it, no one knows what the future holds. Therefore, focusing on what you can control right now is the best thing you can do for yourself and your family. Be flexible with your budget and adjust accordingly, and try not to get too caught up in the news cycle. What matters most, at the end of the day, is that you and your family are taken care of. The rest is just white noise.
Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer
Arianna is a freelance writer and journalist and the self-proclaimed hot and dirty martini queen. In addition to The Everygirl and The Everymom, Arianna is also a freelance writer for Women’s Health magazine, and helped spearhead the editorial content at ecommerce brand Togeth3r in 2024. Arianna uses her authenticity and relatability to empower, inspire, and motivate women everywhere whether she’s writing about sex and relationships, career and finance, beauty and fashion, wellness, or home and living.
Feature Image Sources: Steph Alleva Cornell and Frank McKenna | Unsplash