Almost 30 years ago my dad was seriously considering becoming a SAHD because childcare for my 2 siblings almost (but not quite) matched his earnings minus gas, and that was an employer-subsidized facility. (My stepmom worked there too but was an engineer, whereas he was an engineering assistant.)

And like, she was an engineer, and he had 8 years in with a union contract. They made good money! (Ultimately they switched to 9/80 schedules and changed departments to work in the same place, knowing that in four years they could start relying on wraparound care at the elementary school instead.)