[codegeek]

"Their ambitions seem to be exhausted by their kids and family"

Don't let this discourage you. Yes, it is a lot harder to do anything with family and specially kids. But can you have a great career with a big family ? Absolutely. It just requires a lot more dedication, hard work and commitment from your end.

So don't ask yourself "Career or family". Ask yourself "Do I have it in me to have a great career along with a great family ? ".

[aantix]

Maybe when the kids are in their pre-teen and teenage years this is possible, but with toddlers, I'm skeptical.

If you plan on being there when the kids get home, genuinely want to contribute your half by doing laundry/disciplining kids/teaching/playing with your children/reading stories/putting to bed, you may not be done with evening family time until 9 or 10pm.

Toddlers usually wake around 6am. You have to be rested enough to do it all over again and your professional work. That puts you going to bed at 10pm.

If you're extremely efficient with your time, maybe you can get ahead. But it's definitely a squeeze.