[Aeolun]

Join a startup as a soon-to-be father, following your dreams, and have the thing explode in your face, then finally recover and get a job at a megacorp (a week before the baby is due)?

Utility for the win! Following your dreams is fun and all, but the risk/reward ratio is just way out there.

[adambyrtek]

Getting a stable job at a big company to be able to support your family after taking a risk on a startup doesn't sound like a terrible outcome to be honest.

[stefanmichael]

Sounds optimal actually, you want to take risk when allowed and stop taking that risk immediately when your life changes.

[pmarreck]

So the take-home here is take all your career risks before you take on dependents?

[Aeolun]

Yes, but probably not while your wife is pregnant.