But it's also hard to judge without knowing all of the variables.

I've known single moms with no resources or support system who have a kid in the hospital and 2 more at home who have no idea how to manage it all. They are despondent about the one in the hospital, but have no one they can rely on to care for the two at home. No sick leave to just skip work - or the kid in the hospital will have no home to come home to.

I like to say "I would be there for my kid!" without equivocation - and with my job, and my wife's job, and the amount of responsible and supportive family we have between us in the area - we'd be able to do that. But I know people who can't. And I can't even imagine being in their shoes of trying to decide between 2-3 absolutely horrible choices.