[ahelwer]

Sorry, I should have specified: my post was specifically concerning FOSS development. Of course people inside large companies developing proprietary software can attain a high level of knowledge about whatever field even if they have families, because they're working on it full time over many years and being paid for it.

Although it's unclear, perhaps you are talking about FOSS development (actually looking up Ardour from your profile, yes you definitely are). That's very impressive, then! So you did manage to juggle having a full-time job, FOSS development, and a family?

[PaulDavisThe1st]

I was initially financially independent (due to amzn), playing the role of stay-at-home parent and slowly expanding the FLOSS project's role; in about 2008, the FLOSS project became my only source of revenue.