<p>I wasn’t referring soley to career opportunities. Twenty somethings need to burn maximum fuel through grad school, world travel, overseas posts, creative development, career development and spouse selection–simultaneously. All of these opportunities are dramatically stifled by the task–I mean joy!-- of raising children. For me, it makes sense to top up the reservoirs while the time is yours for the burning. That’s the advice I dole out to mine anyway, YMMV.</p>
<p>I drew on the reservoirs of my 20s to propel me through my 30s and 40s with much greater economy and happiness than I otherwise would have had if I had not been so focused during those years.</p>
<p>Mind you, I have a 49 year old brother who is still wallowing in his self-absorbed Odyssey years. I’ve realized that my harried father gave his sons extremely ambivalent messages about marriage, children and careers. To this day, when anyone suggests that my brother might need to get a desk job, my father winces and quite unconciously exclaims: “But then he wouldn’t be able to be outside all the time!” </p>
<p>This history absolutely influences the tenor of my advice.</p>