What happens is that your lifestyle has changed to be more in line with what BigCo is looking for. If the scale tips more towards family life maybe you care les

What happens is that your lifestyle has changed to be more in line with what BigCo is looking for. If the scale tips more towards family life maybe you care less about excitement and variety in your work life. All of that is fine. If your life consists entirely of taking care of your family and working a stable job, then what part of you remains a hacker? On the other hand, if you're doing all that while working with your kids on building an electron microscope, then that's what makes you a hacker. I'd add that those would apply to a young person as well who simply works a stable job and doesn't do anything to explore their curiosity in technology.