The average middle-class family will pay almost $300,000 to raise a child over 17 years; that's up $8,000 from last year, and the cost will only grow from there. The bulk of that expense often comes from child care -- but asking relatives to pitch in often leads to uncomfortable tension. Read on for a step-by-step guide to saving on child care costs while keeping your kids safe and your family happy.
By Anisha Sekar, NerdWallet