The couple couldn't afford the cheapest $2,400 cost of full-time, professional childcare each month. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Stephanie Ross, 39, a mom of three from Southern California. But we're in the privileged position of having my mom provide childcare. Ross, pictured soon after the birth of her triplets, doesn't know how she'd cope without her mom's childcare help. It took Mom about five months to sell her house and settle her affairs before leaving.

---

Persons: Stephanie Ross, Ross, —, Alice, Claire, Benjamin —, They're, Andrew, We'd, they'd, Monica, She'd, it's, Mom, I'm, we'd, It's, they'll, we've Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Southern California, California, Bay, Los Angeles, San Diego