Very insightful story. So many people think like you did, that laying proper foundations before considering having children is best. I thought this way too and probably why I never had any or married. There was never the right man or opportunity and I moved around a lot, travelling, living abroad. It wasn't a very traditional life, like staying in same town, etc. I branched away from family at quite a young age. Your later experiences however thought you different, that there is no right time and you achieved marriage, children, career and educational success. You still did it all.