Good job pointing out the effect on your family. Bootstrapping is more than just a pay cut when your spouse and/or children will be affected as well. Discussing the potential risks with them is 100% necessary before taking a major leap.
Also, how many boostrappers make lifestyle changes months before they leave their day job for the uncertainty of boostrapping? I would imagine you'd want to have enough saved for 6 months of expenses (the general rule of thumb for anyone actually) and an idea of what your new life is really going to be like.
But you bring up a good point about prepping for those changes before you get into it. If you have the notion to start down that path, then making those adjustments ahead of time will help ease some of the "pain".
Having kids changes the equation altogether. If I had kids, there's no way I'd try what I'm doing now with as little safety net.