Economists tell us that it now costs middle income families nearly half a million dollars to raise a child. To ease the pain it’s worth thinking about what you actually get for it. You get a hand to hold, usually covered with jam; a partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, and building sandcastles. You get to be a hero just for getting a Frisbee off the roof, taking the training wheels off the bike, removing a splinter, and coaching a soccer team that never wins. You get a front row seat to history to witness the first step, first word, first date, and first time behind the wheel. You have the power to heal a hurt, scare away monsters, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them forever, and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love without counting the cost. Not a bad deal after all!