Children: Black or Red Ink on the Balance Sheet for Families and Society?

It’s common to see or read news articles on the cost of raising children.  A recent government study tells us that it will cost nearly $235,000 (in 2011 dollars) to raise a child from birth to age 18.  This blog post by Len Penso on msn.com’s money page bemoans additional costs not included in the government study, making
the toll even higher. 
   
These articles can instill fear and deter couples from having more – or any – children. I don't know about you, but I don't have a quarter of a million dollars just laying around and I doubt that I ever wil.   Even worse, by placing a price tag on child-rearing, these articles paint children as only a line-item on the family’s and society’s balance sheets – and a liability line item at that!  
 
Assets:  House, Car, Income
Liabilities:  Mortgage, Car Loan, Bobby, Jr., Mary Jane
Equity:  Checking Account, Savings Account, 401k
  
Really???  Is that how we see children – a financial burden that sucks every dime out of our financial future?  Is a child just a cost center in the family budget? 
 
I’d like to see some articles about the benefits of child-rearing.  Children are an incredible gift to a family and to society. 
 
So let’s hear from you. How have children been a blessing and benefit to your family and society?