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Children aren't the issue - partners are.

Yes, you'll be inspired to provide for your family being in start-up mode. It probably will push you harder than if you weren't nested. But, convetionally, your partner will encourage you to engage in much more stable financial endeavours (ie, anything but start-ups).

As they should too. Why? Because, let's face it; most people's ideas are pretty shitty. That's not a secret around here ... so let's put that out there. As we know, even if you do have a super great idea, there is so much luck required to break through.

I don't mean to sound grinchy on a Ycombinator forum, but let's just address the reality here. The times we live in is where The Social Network has become like a founding myth of a 21st century goldrush. People are over educated and bored with job-jobs, so wishful thinking pushes them into developing their genius apps and half-baked Facebook killers.

I don't want to discourage people from being creative and innovative, but I think all of this has to be considered in this discussion of raising a family and doing something extremely financially risky like a startup.




> Children aren't the issue - partners are.

It depends on your specific situation. Kids will generally make you more risk averse, but working partners will make you less risk averse. The founder at the startup where I worked (who had three kids at the time), was able to bootstrap because his wife's job was enough to pay the mortgage and health insurance.

I personally feel a lot more empowered to make risky career moves because my wife could support the family by herself if need be.




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