CNSNews.com – Speaking Friday at what the administration called “The White House Forum on Women and the Economy,” President Barack Obama said that after his two daughters were born, he and his wife—both Harvard Law School graduates—could not afford the “luxury” of having her stay home with the children.

via Obama on Why Michelle Was a Working Mom at $316K Per Year: ‘We Didnt Have the Luxury for Her Not to Work’ | CNSNews.com.

With all the hullabaloo lately about motherhood, I came across this article about our President.  Notice how he views a mom choosing to stay home as a ‘luxury.’  A fascinating observation from a man who was making six figures at the time.  Exactly how much must one earn to afford this luxury?  Not much, apparently.

It turns out that many families with significantly lower incomes, such as mine, include a stay-at-home mom.  Let me suggest that staying at home is not a luxury, but a choice.  Like all choices there are trade-offs.  My wife staying at home for 11 years now has, no doubt, cost us income.  Perhaps we could’ve had a larger house, nicer vacations or cars built this decade.  But doing so would’ve had its own costs.

So, this is a trade-off, one which we’ve gladly made.  We recognize the costs, financial and opportunity, that come with our decision.  But, for us, the benefits of having our kids raised by their mother outweighs those costs.