My first job out of school (near 30 years ago now) was in I.T. The computer was the size of a room and we used reel to reel. Things have come a long way since then.
Fast forward some 20 odd years... With planning and a little luck, I was able to take 4 years off work as I approached 40. I spent that time raising 2 teens on my own. I'm back at work now, and... liking it.