There's a "middle class dip" where one spouse working barely makes enough to cover the increased costs from child care and other incidentals (like eating out more often).

The poor either have a non-working spouse or get subsidized child care, and the rich don't know what a banana costs.

Many of my parent friends have gone through the debate about having the lesser-earning parent quit work for a few years to care for children or to pay for daycare.

In the long run remaining employed generally comes out ahead due to the continued career growth and employment.

The one friend who quit their job now regrets a little because the expensive early childcare years were over quickly and now they’re trying to get back into the workforce in a rough economy with a resume gap.