Non Accompanying gave my brother few extra points in Jan.18 to reach CRS 435 - Got picked by Ontario for NOI - Nominated in June 18, Received ITA yesterday. If that gives you any strength to make the choice!! It would be a 6 month process once he submits his application and before he receives an outcome... I guess he would have ample time to figure out on the entire process of Spouse Sponshorship then!!
Again, he has to feed the family after he is there... so, in reality he will have to go there and settle down with a decent job and apartment first, before he gets the family there. Add another 6 to 12 months here, in which, if he has a job that pays enough to take care of his family, he will choose to sponsor them. What's the point going there with spouse and kid, and only adding to the woes of taking care of them over and above your own self, while you still have uncertainty almost about everything. Having said that, it also depends on your current financial strength and ability to survive the costs if the entire family is there in a short gap span.
It isn't about leaving your spouse & family behind, it is more about getting there and getting things aligned, so that they have the least difficult time when they arrive.
Also, the joint application, if it gets converted to PR, will have similar timelines for landing there for all (you & your family). Only if you & your spouse are in a position to land, collect your PR Card and finish formalities and then one of you return to your home country till the other is settled there (all of this will involve cost), then you can keep the option of the joint application.
Please note: I ain't considering the drop or rise of CRS, it comes as a second important thing to think about here, first is family. Once you have thought about these, then look into the options of "Accompanying" or "Non Accompanying" and judge for yourself.
To each, his own!! No fixed rules or choices...
Hope this helps.
Thanks.