I recently got a part time job after taking off the last 9 years to be with my kids. They are now 15 and 12. I made sure that I put on my resume what I've been doing for the past 9 years - PTA secretary and treasurer, volunteer at school, homeschooled my daughter through her middle school years. It didn't bother any of my prospective employers. (I got job offers on my 2nd and 3rd interviews)
that's good news.
Maybe the attitude is softening.
I know the so-called advisors who are supposed to give career advice still tell women they shouldn't discuss their "personal lives" and apparantly they consider taking time off to raise your own kids a "personal matter".
So, sadly, there are many smart, educated, gifted women agonizing over the large gap in their work history.
They're probably much more mature, prepared, and employable than they were before raising kids - but they aren't made to feel that way.