Should stay at home parents be paid by the state?

I understand that we make the choice to have children, but in a country (maybe in even world), where women are leaving having children until they are in their 40's in favour of a career so that they can make a better life for themselves and any offspring, should there be some kind of monetary motivator? I believe that in Australia, the government give Australian's around $3,000 to help finance the babies arrival. So, evidently, it is feasible.

I understand what you are saying- I am not suggesting that we deserve a wage as such, if this were so, you would have people knocking out babies all over the place just for the income (though I am sure some people have babies just so they can get a council house/flat!). My point is, should we be helped financially by the government to raise our children. Obviously parents recieve child benefit, but is £69.80 really enough to support a child? Or maybe the childcare system needs to be revised. As I mentioned previously, if I were to send our daughter to nursery full time, it would cost pretty much the whole of my salary. We can not claim any help with childcare costs because my partner earns "too much" for us to qualify (the threshold seems quite low). I know people who will not work over 16 hours a week so that they can also claim Job Seekers allowance. But I do not want to go on the dole as I have a job and there is a certain stigma attached to claiming jobseekers benefit. I think that there should be a scheme in place which bridges the gap between those who are on the dole (and seem to be able to claim every benefit and freebie going) and those of us who want to go back to work. It is almost as if people are rewarded for being unemployed which, quite frankly stinks!