Here in Canada parents get 619 per child per month from birth to 6 and then about 550 per month until age 18. That's the maximum and there are income thresholds, but at least it's something we do right.

We also get a quarterly payment (again income tested) to repay our GST, which is basically what they call VAT in Europe.

These things help but prices and housing is so high here that families are really struggling, despite the benefits.

The US is very short sighted and sadly, the left has a problem as far as strategy and getting it's message across to motivated voters. I just wrote something on that topic and am waiting for it to be published. I truly feel we're at a crossroads, a critical point in history where the wrong choice may be disastrous for all we hold dear.