[xherberta]

>Even a minimum wage job should cover the cost of day care for their youngest child, who is too young for full-time schooling.

In many markets, no it won't, if you can even find a daycare with an opening.

Anyway, this plan sounds like a net negative for the family unless the job can cover daycare PLUS commuting costs, work wardrobe, increased food costs (less time to cook from scratch), and the hassle involved with finding alternate care when any of the four kids are sick.

Some people consider the "humanity value" of having a parent at home to care for children to be worth the financial downside. That's their choice. By the way, most developed nations agree...

From the New Republic: *Among developed nations, the U.S. is now the only one that doesn’t guarantee some kind of paid employee leave available for new parents." http://bit.ly/2pZ03Ay