[AD from SpringBay]

Taking many years off to raise my own children in the home was the best sacrifice we ever made.

I completely agree with that. Chidren are only "pre-school" for a few years and these years are so critical when it comes to who they will eventually become. Constant stability, structure, discipline, instruction, and love can all be given at home and the ultimate cost is far less when a parent takes time to be with the children full time during these years.

[GraceCoolidge]

My husband's theory on my staying home with the children is that when raising kids, as he says, "you pay now or you pay later, but you pay." We're making the sacrifices now, but the parents whose kids are in daycare are going to be paying later, probably in a different way. The parents who think there is a "no cost" (personal, financial, whatever) to raising children are fooling themselves.