Cinnamon our Siberian Husky is awesome with kids, (and cats, she's been mothering a kitten for 3 months). We had a Samoyed before that and was equally awesome.
They are inseperable (as you can see), she protects my daughter without question or hesitation and has NEVER growled or snapped at any of us.
Of course they ARE an investment...both physically, emotionally and financially, but this is true regardless of breed. And the rewards for this investment are documented to add years to your life.
...3 dogs and 3 cats