How can I balance the aspects of a career woman with her duties as a mother and wife? The character I have in mind is running a successful paint empire (it produces high resistance paint for large structures) but she is also Happily Married to a husband who understands her and daughter she is very devoted to. If the balance ends up making the character a Mary Sue, well, so be it.

She could work outside the house while her children are at school, and then do any other work she needs at home. Also, the father should do some mothering too.

Yeah, the father should definitely step up. Between the two of them, I think they can make a home life manageable.

Actually, the father does. Most of the personal quirks the daughter has come from the father, while her business sense comes from her mother.

If you discover how, write a book about it and make millions from all the working mothers.

Not a question related to Fetish Fuel alien biology or Fetish Fuel sexual relations? I am surprised, Sand... in a good way.

Don't worry, I'll return to form soon enough.

Nice to see an aversion of Family Versus Career. I'd suggest her trying to work from home as much as she can, if it's possible? And spending time with her daughter whenever she can, even when she's tired from working all day. You've got to be tough to manage both a family and a career, I can imagine. But that'll just make her more admirable.

Also, I agree that the father should take over some of the "motherly" duties.

See how fathers/husbands/businessmen keep their work and family lives in balance.

Copy.

edited 19th Mar '11 11:26:02 PM by annebeeche

I'm not looking to do a mere Gender Flip.

It won't be a Gender Flip because the person you are writing is fundamentally a woman.

You want to to write a parent/spouse/businessperson that has his/her family and work lives in balance, so observe those that already exist.

edited 20th Mar '11 12:38:14 AM by annebeeche

Unfortunately, fathers and husbands usually balance their work and family obligations by leaving the family stuff to their wives. Not universally, but it's a definite trend.