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As far as Caribbeanites are concerned....do they? I'm not talking about a 9-5 as a business Admin, or and Administrative Asst. What I'm referring to is a job which doesn't really end at 5pm. You may even have to take your job into your personal life. (Medicine, Engineering, Law, Science)

As West Indians (at least in my family) the males usually take the role of bread winner, or are the ones who go after a specific career, but times are changing. Women are endeavoring further into careers which take them away from family life. In my opinion women play am imperative role in child rearing considering that they carried the child for 9 months. The mother is essential in a childs life well beyond the age of 10. But can it cause a problem when they have to tend to their careers as well?

I am a career minded caribbean woman and mother of 2.
I can honestly say that the task of being a mother and career-minded is not an easy one. It is only successful when you have the right support behind you such as your mate, family and friends.

I am very driven with my career and on occassion have felt some level of guilt because I do not get to spend as much time as I would like with my kids. But the time I do spend is invaluable and loved by my kids..

Career minded women have to deal with the "guilt" of not spending as much time at home with their children as a "stay-at home mom", but it does not mean that one is better than the other. It just means that each should make the best of the time that is spent. It's a matter of sacrifices. For me it means going to fetes less so I can spend time with the kids on weekends since that time is not there during the week.

As long as the kids don't think they are without a mom..It's all good!!

Times have changed. Back in the day, the man was expected to be the bread winner while the woman stayed home and raised the kids. Today, both parents work, sometimes long hours and this takes away from child rearing.
Men have to step up to the plate and assume more responsibility. Women, by right, have to explore their potential. Today, more than ever, it takes both parents to raise kids. With women out there working long hours, the child raising partnership becomes more essential. Today, with the type of environment out there, kids need both parents.
D Bad Lad

Ladies: Let me just say, I am the proud mother of my son. I am a college educated woman who will eventually work on her Phd.

People tell me how "smart" my son is and how well behaved he is. This is no coincidence, I put all me into his upbringing.
I do not feel not going to the office for the time being is a waste of my education, I am using all the knowledge I have to raise a decent and intellegent human being.

My mom is a teacher and she was home for me and my sister after school EVERY day! If I needed to talk- I did not call her office or cell phone, she was physically and emotinally available.

I would say give your kids the best of you for the 1st 7 yrs- These are their formative yrs. You can work, but maybe part-time or some weekends.

Trust me, I hear all the time from my friends (Carribeanites) how they wished their parents were there for them more.

i think it's possible for most women... It may call for stretching yourself kinda thin but it is possible....
just calls for Waking up much earlier and going to bed much later...

Agreed! That is what I do now myself..I get up at 6am and go to bed sometimes as late as 2am.

I can understand where Yanni is coming from but it is not always the case where a mother has that luxury of staying at home with the kids. Also, I fully believe that it is not always about the quantity, but the quality of the time that is spent with the children.