These two studies utilized a large, longitudinal random sample to examine the relationship between child problem behaviors and maternal risk factors and low-income mothers' ability to access and afford child care, as well as how the ability to access and afford child care influences low-income mothers' employment over time. Results showed that low-income mothers with higher levels of maternal risk factors were significantly more likely to report a decreased ability to access and afford child care. Additionally, low-income mothers with higher levels of maternal risk factors were more likely to become unemployed than to maintain employment over time. Policy implication and directions for future research are discussed.