We had ours mid 30s. I also founded a company and ran it for the first 15 years of her life.
That is stressful. To put it mildly.
This said, having a kid is the toughest and most rewarding job you will ever have. If you don't like kids in general, sure, avoid them. Some of us do.
She's 21 now, applying to grad school for applied math, and (being slightly biased) is the most wonderful kiddo in the world.
As for FIRE type scenarios, unless you have an inheritance or a pre-existing nest-egg of some sort, yeah, kids tend to deplete cash flow. I'm 56, and if I'm lucky, I may be able to retire in my 70s. Part of that is due to the company being killed by our bank, all assets sold off, because they panicked. Leaving me with a giant hole where my retirement (and kid's college fund) was. Started over at 51, at (somewhat less than) 0. Do not recommend this.
>Part of that is due to the company being killed by our bank, all assets sold off, because they panicked.
Care to elaborate.
If I do end up FIRE, I imagine I could always have a family in a cheaper country. 2 million in FAANG RSUs can easily raise a family outside of America.
