[mark_ellul]

I am a father of 2 kids, any side project will mean time away from them, and I don't care what anyone says, I prefer to have a balanced life any day. I also find my ability to work during normal hours (9am to 9pm, as I am freelancer) during the week is enhanced by my down time with the family!

[gexla]

EVERYONE has limitations. Everyone still has to sleep X hours per day. Spend X hours per day doing X. Kids or no, I can only squeeze out maybe 4 - 6 hours per day of solid coding before my brain quits on me. The rest of my working day is doing less taxing things which still need to be done as a freelancer.

Budgeting time is just like budgeting money. You just have to make sure you're spending it well. It's best to be diversified, so spend some of that working time on something which can bring in an alternative revenue stream. It may not pay off right away, but it could pay off huge in the end.

[activepeanut]

Do you know if there are family-friendly startups out there?

[racER]

Yes, mine! ;) I'm father of one kid, additional twins expected in december. :)

I think it depends on the type of work. We're developing software, and this can be done practically anytime. Personally I go to office very late (to have some time with my kid in the morning), and often return early enough to also play in the evening. Then, after putting her into bed, I can work again until 02.00 AM. But it's also important to mention that your wife (or spouse) has to tolerate this, too! :)

And to side projects: I think they're even more important the more time you invest into a certain single project, to look beyond one's own nose. They keep you open-minded, and sometimes even integrate into your current main project.

[activepeanut]

Looking at your profile..do you make webapps in cpp, or am I reading it wrong? Wana plug your company?