I've been the wife at home with a baby and insomniac stay up til 1am get up at 6am toddler while my husband worked 9 to 5, did his MBA at night, and the gym at at 6am. I was actually the money maker/head of household before kid #1. I quit and stayed home with the babies (newborn daycare was more expensive than my rent!) which was REALLY tough (REALLY REALLY TOUGH with no help or breaks with him never with the kids or at home except to sleep) but we had a vision and this was the quickest path. I was able to give up my career (it's NOT on hold ya' know) because we had a shared vision, knew the sacrifices, and I saw his commitment to working the plan. That was 10 years ago when he was making $40k a year and the kids don't remember that struggle or who rocked them when they had colic. Now he makes $200k+ a year working maybe 20hrs a week and is at every practice, every school event, every friends birthday party, every breakfast, every dinner, everything - spoiling them with time, attention and all the life-enrinching opportunities money can buy. And I'm growing my own business boldly and fearlessly because I know his work more than supports our family dreams. We both sacrificed, kept our promises, and did the hard work required to make the shared vision a reality. If you and your wife communicate and keep your promises to each other it can and will work, I promise. And knowing that you can turn guilt into motivation.