In the bustling metropolis of New York City, where the streets are bustling and the skyscrapers are endlessly tall, a new plan has emerged from the offices of the Democratic Socialist Mayor Mondani. The idea? Free child care for all the city’s beleaguered parents. Now, doesn’t that sound like a lovely tune, not unlike that catchy “Wheels on the Bus” song? But as always, there’s more to the melody than meets the ear.

Of course, the notion of “something for nothing” is as old as time itself. Haven’t we learned by now that when politicians promise “free” anything, the truth is someone, somewhere is footing the bill? Mayor Mondani, alongside the ever-popular former President Obama, is singing a song of free child care. Yet, every savvy New Yorker knows that such grandiose plans aren’t actually free. These so-called free services often come with hidden costs, much like those cumbersome 45-minute bus rides across town to the nearest city-funded daycare. Makes you wonder, would it be easier to just hand working parents a map to Mars? It might be a quicker commute.

Now, let us entertain the dangerous idea that maybe things aren’t as idealistic as they sound. Child care’s hefty price tag partly owes itself to the stifling regulations choking the industry. In a place like Washington, D.C., aspiring daycare providers are stymied by requirements like needing a four-year degree just to change diapers for a living. Since when did babysitting become rocket science? Perhaps loosening these restrictions, rather than introducing more red tape, could provide an actual solution.

Let’s also give a nod to creative solutions that respect family autonomy. The private sector and tax incentives could very well hold the key to unlocking this riddle. Proposals like J.D. Vance’s suggest tax breaks for families who live close to relatives who can assist with child care. Now, wouldn’t Grandma rather spend her golden years playing with her grandkids than watching Judge Judy reruns? A win-win, except maybe for daytime television ratings.

But wait, there’s more. Remember that common refrain that the best caretakers for young children are their own parents? Yes, folks, there’s something to be said about moms staying home with their kids, an age-old tradition some might say even predates city-funded daycare. Imagine a society where it’s made easier for mothers to choose raising their children themselves and returning to work when they’re ready. Sometimes the simplest, most traditional solutions are the most effective.

In the endless scramble of city life, it seems we often look past common-sense remedies in favor of utopian fantasies. Politicians in search of sound bites and easy applause line up to peddle their freshly pressed promises of “free” goodies. Yet, history—and household budgets—suggest they should instead look toward pragmatic ideas that truly help families thrive without cluttering skies with empty, broken promises.