That's only true in the US of course...
I make less money than someone in the US, but daycare for me is 250 euro (it was 500 until 3 years old) and public daycare would be cheaper still. Visiting the doctor for a random virus brought back from school costs exactly 0 (a private visit would be around 100 euros). An orthodontist, if needed, would be the only major expense for a child apart from clothing and food.
University will be about 4000 euros a year at most (and would be cheaper if I earned less).
I start to think that I’m really lucky in central Europe. All those things (daycare, doctor, dentist) are free here. Even university is free.
What doctors are you going to!? Do you not have medical insurance?
Gold level HSA qualifying high deductible BCBS health plan with $7,500 out of pocket maximum and $3k deductible.
I’ve never known a doctor to charge less than $200 per visit with or without insurance.
Kids aren't cheap if you want to keep up with your socioeconomic class. And by far the biggest cost is the extra you pay for a house to be located near other high earners so that the schools your kids go to is filled with kids of other high earners.