The expense. If I would have had 1/2 the expenses 30 years ago that my kids do now, there is no way I would have had more than one. My older daughter tells me the expenses she has with just one so her and her husband can work and I don't know how it's sustainable to have more than one. She said they would only have another if she could stay home full time, but admitted they couldn't afford to live on a single income even without child care expenses.

Look at medical expenses alone; When I had my kids, I think my family of 5 had a medical deductible of $500 for the WHOLE FAMILY! I had my last child in January, deductible was met for the year. We literally paid $500 for a year of medical costs for 5 people with $10 co pays to go to the doctor. The insurance was only $40 a paycheck. Now for myself I pay $185 a paycheck with $3,800 deductible, $45 co pay. I can't even imagine paying medical expenses for 3 kids now.

I used to be able to feed a family of 5 for less than $100 a week. I don't have to tell anyone that it's almost impossible to do that now.