Like most issues related to be human in Western society, this is a self-inflicted wound, one which makes no sense and for which no one in power (see: masters of mankind) has provided a viable, sustainable option.

Ahh, the conundrum of childcare.

Society insists that breeding is necessary to maintain the aforesaid society, while yet and still soforthwith aforementioned society does little to support, encourage or foster success in that endeavor.  Go figure.

At one point in the overall human experience humans worked together for the betterment of the group, á la the village of those mythical, bygone times … women typically worked to provide the basic sustainables (see:  water, fruits&vegggies) whilst the menfolk hunted meat, the women also helped raise the babies as a collaborative group … Mfufu and Running Bird and TranLe and Uræc could get a break when the kids hit that last nerve. 

Now?  Now … we are on our own, folks.

Which begs the question:  Should one bother to breed? 

Cuz truthfully … honestly … actually … no one needs kids. 

Sure … society does, biology does, the continuation of the species does, but the individual? 

Not so much. 

Just one of the many terms of the social contract, which – methinks – is at this point pretty much void and unenforceable (see: masters of mankind in primary breach). 

So:  to have, or not to have … that is the question.

Methinks … nopes.  {1 Corinthians 7:1}

If could do all over again, methinks would have … well, would have stayed single, first, then, barring that, would have engaged in a little more discussion with Half about why Half wanted to breed with other half in the first place, more fully explored the thoughts and motivations behind that desired objective, rather than just “I want one!  Gimme.” 

To clarify and shut up/off any/all argument in that regard:  Absolutely no regrets re theKid. 
True blessing, awesome human, best thing ever happened/did. 

And.

Seen the struggle of theKid simply with life, with living, with the day-to-day figuring out of place and purpose and peers and would not wish this on theKid, wonder if mayhap should have loved my child enough not to have made the decision to impose life upon this beautiful, beautiful spirit. 

Well THAT got dark quick.  Focus, jerk.

No, should not have kids.

BUT if just gotta, then childcare is a cost concern.  Mr. Edelman asks if it is better/wiser financial choice for one parent to remain home while the other works.

The answer?  Depends.

The reality?  Women do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to childcare, and the decision to give up working to stay home typically affects her earning capacity, her retirement benefits, and her career advancement, and it is outside the norm for men to leave the workforce to stay home and raise the kid(s). 

And mom is usually the parent to lose/leave work when the child is sick, when daycare/school closes early, when there is some emergency involving the child(ren).

Ultimately, becomes a personal question to be answered by the individual family … to stay home and lose the income/career potential, or stay in the workforce and adapt as required.

BTW … the global birth rate is dropping every year, so maybe this question has been asked and answered.  So there’s that. 

Or, maybe not.  Fairly simply to solve this particular financial problem.

Snip, and snip.