jphone, of course you are right and that would be and should be the ideal situation in the perfect world. But unfortunately our world is far from perfect and in the attempt to reach heights of perfection we have toppled our existence upside down and inside out to the point of the ridiculous.
Children today are taught to look for things beyond their means and this applies to the concept of learning full time as well. Where one child would want a house another child would want support for the rest of their lives. Neither one has the right to demand that of their parents who have their own financial obligations to their own home and other family members (who will want the same). Each couple starting out in a marriage need to think about and plan how they will support themselves. They need to actually sit down and look at what things cost and see what kind of money needs to come in to cover the money that will be going out.
It is shocking to some, but many couples have a rude awakening when they go out for the first time to buy their own pampers. And for those men who just assume their wive’s will nurse their kids to save on formula, that doesn’t always work either. In addition make sure you are comfortable with second hand clothes and equipment for the children and other cost cutting maneuvers. That of course comes after the rent, car, insurance, gas, food, washer, dryer, etc. that every couple feels they need. Not to mention the furniture, linen and other housewares.
So if you can afford to do it, and have an agreement with someone to help support you for whatever time frame they can, appreciate it and have a good plan for when that support stops. It is not fair to expect parents to work well into their 70’s to keep your family going. JMHO.
EDITED