Savemebarry - your post is so true. My mother was a SAHM but money was very tight, and often we didn't have a lot. We never have an ice cream from the van - always an ice pole from the fridge. And my mum was frequently 'not hungry' on a Thursday because my dad didn't get paid until Friday. And to facilitate my mum being at home full time, my dad worked a second job, and was often tired and a bit grumpy. Whilst I recognise that my parents were amazing parents who always put us first, I do remember feeling guilty about asking for money as a child. It's not something I wanted for my children and so chose to stay in employment.
Whilst not being a factor at the time, in hindsight, one of the main benefits has been that I have been able to keep my fingers in when my children were small, but build back up my career now they're older. So I used to work just 10 teaching hours a week. When DD2 started nursery, I did nursery hours (15 hours) when DD2 started school, I increased my hours again and took on more responsibility.... Only now that my DD has turned 8, have I gone back to work full time. And between me, my husband and my parents, we manage this without using any form of childcare whatsoever. But my friends who gave up teaching when they had their DC are often struggling to get teaching posts, some are doing poorly paid TA work, whereas my career is back on track, I've taken on a lot of responsibility and when my DD2 starts secondary, I'll be ready for a SMT role. This will be perfect, as already my DD1 (just starting secondary) spends very little time at home, and is always out at one club or another. When DD2 gets to this age, I'll be ready for a new challenge, rather than struggling to get back to the pay I was once on, as some of my friends are ...
However, I guess if you've never had a career as such, then I guess there's nothing to lose / sacrifice.