I definitely agree; there is some sacrifice involving kids, and we are most certainly an exception to the norm: we both come from small families who live nearby, with both of our parents giving us the "procreate us some grandkids" speech, and even more luckily both set of parents are in good health.
I think a lot of it has to do with perspective; I grew up in a single-parent household, and my dad struggled to make ends meet.. he couldn't be around all the time, and despite extended family having to help raise myself and my brother, I don't think we ever questioned his devotion to our upbringing even if it meant being a latch-key kid for several years.
With that childhood behind me, I would want my kids to grow up more comfortably than I did *not spoiled - there's a fine line for sure*, and I would hope that either though extended family/a professional nanny, staggered working hours, or the like we'd be able to successfully rear children who were intelligent, of sound mind, and better yet - have ample opportunities that I missed as a lower-class kid.
Not to mention, I've seen several couples who do the "stay at home" thing and their kids become spoiled brats, or mini-antichrists well from the single digits into teens - (Not quite old enough to see how they fare as adults, but I can place bets it doesn't end well.) I think a lot of being a good parent has less to do with parental working hours, and more to do with the level of dedication, care, and love that ensures a positive childhood (sounds completely cheesy, but I'm a firm believer) :)