[wooyi]

If anything, I felt more pressure after kids to be successful. I had to prove to them that their father was not a mediocre person. I also need to show by example - that I did not want them to be mediocre and that they should strive to be the best at what they do.

[jkestner]

Cool thing is, they take their metric for success from you.

But you sound like you're measuring success by your role in the workplace. I'll bet they care a lot more about your role as a father.

[wooyi]

Yes. And for me, to be successful is to be happy with what I do for a living, and to have the freedom to pursue my dreams. Selfishly, I rather be a mediocre father and successful/happy with my career/lifelong work vs a great father and a mediocre career. We all pick our own paths. No regrets so far.