I have managed teams of people, chased the corporate goal of a big title and lots of money. I gave it all up for my one and only child. I really do get cross with these women who think they're right and I'm wrong. I don't condemn women for working. I don't expect them to condemn me for my choice.

sue, Sheffield, UK

wonder whether you will be saying that when her csection scar starts causing major problems because it hasn't been allowed to heal properly

estella, london,

How is returning to work 4 days after a Caesarean something worth applauding? Would a man be expected to return to work 4 days after major surgery? This sets the example that a woman's body does no work in childbirth (natural or C-sec) and she hence needs no time to recover. Rubbish attitude.

Pam, Cardiff,

Helloooo! Having a job does not automatically make you fulfilled. Some jobs are mind numbing, stupid monotonous boring and soul destroying with megolomaniac bosses who expect you to achive the impossible and irritating co workers you cant stand.

Cupcakes are nice.

Esme, Rugby, UK

There is no such thing as 'sisterhood' (or 'brotherhood) just a collection of individuals trying to do the best for themselves and their families.

philip hill, bridgetown ns, canada

Many women drop out of the workplace simply because they prefer looking after their children to being battered by commuting and the stress of the modern workplace & the natural, maternal role of looking after their children is often more valuable by far than the rewards they obtain from their career

Michael, St Albans, England

So it is more impressive to "command a staff of 20"? What blokeish language that is! Success isn't measured in these terms. Can't believe a grown woman can make such sweeping generalisations.

Liz, Norwich, UK

And we wonder why the kids stab each other now days and have become about as shallow as they can become.

Matt, Sydney, Australia

Ms Turner, I respect your choice to attempt balancing work against the demands of young children. As part of the "sisterhood" that you mention, I would expect you to respect my decision to give priority to the welfare and care of my offspring over serving an organisation. That, my dear, is equality.

S. Pawar, Cardiff,

To answer Cate, Leeds. To be a truly loving mother you have to be a PRESENT mother. 'Me first' and the earliest years of a child's life just cannot be reconciled. If you are incapable of finding fulfilment in the fascinating development of a baby, fair enough but then why have them?

Moya, Eastbourne, England

Rachida Dati is not about changing the world. Anyone in Paris can tell you that. Ambitious yes, idealist or altruistic, definetly not.

Carly, Paris,

If the needs of your 5day old baby cannot supersede your own need for media attention & glamour then don't indulge in motherhood. Is France going to fall to its knees if this woman isn't back at her desk? No acknowledged father and now no mother - poor baby! Unlike JT, admiring I am not .

Moya, Eastbourne, England

How can Ms Turner run down women who choose to stay at home with their children, then talk about sisterhood ?! Surely sisterhood is about accepting and respecting that different women want different things from life, and make their choices accordingly.

Lynne, Rugby, Warks

I have been a working mother and a stay-at-home mother. Its a no-brainer that 'working' is much easier, and more fun, than motherhood, which is the hardest job in the world. But don't try and justify your choice by trying to convince us that working is more worthwhile. Who are you trying to kid?

Kathy McGuinness, Sutton, UK

"Wouldn't he or she be better off being looked after by a loving mother?"
Do you not think it is possible for a parent to be both loving and want to have a career and by extension the resources to provide for their child?

Cate, Leeds,

Isn't time that we respected the choices that people make in their lives, rather than being prescriptive like this? If you wanna dump your kid in childcare while you wizz of in your 4x4 to your "noble" profession (arf), knock yerself out, but why be so disparaging to those of us don't?

Dan Verdin, Wokingham,

why is it that some women feel superior to other women just because they have a career?? I am a stay at home mum and am sick of reading articles that make stay at home mums look lazy, silly and worthless! Everyone has a choice and we should respect it whatever that may be.

sarah, leeds, england

If you are not considering, and are not doing, what's best for the child, then you should not be having children. 'Having it all' is a myth. Simple

Katharine, London,

Is this the new definition of women which is being imposed on new generations?

mariam, Bournemouth, UK

Rachida Dati's baby seems to be forgotten in all this. Wouldn't he or she be better off being looked after by a loving mother?

Malcolm Pye, Aberdeen, UK

Who is considered successful? Being a corporate slave to the time clock, investing in a pension that's ripped off from you before you can collect it, making enough money so the government can steal it, and give it to others who don't deserve it, readig Marxist propadanda by the media with glee?

james, tampa, fl, USA

Who is considered successful? Being a corporate slave to the time clock, investing in a pension that's ripped off from you before you can collect it, making enough money so the government can steal it, and give it to others who don't deserve it, readig Marxist propaganda by the media with glee?

james, tampa, fl, USA

I agree with Susie and Wolfgang. Who are we to tell anyone how to live their lives? Let's stop preaching and making mothers feel guilty because they want to stay at home or want to be at work - just let everyone do what either they have to do or want to do and leave them to get on with it.

Maria, Italy,

Personally what never fails to amuse me are the former high achievers who stay at home and make it their life's work to push their daughters academically, rushing them between school, clubs and private tutors....not seeing what a bad role model they themselves are.

Claire Dunbar, London,

How sad! Every woman should have the chance to do whatever she wants but if she wants a career then don't have a baby - simple! Children develop best when their own mother or father is there to pick them up when they fall and care for them during the first few years of their life.

Amanda, Brisbane, Australia

Surely this is a matter of choice and women are choosing. Isn't that what equality is about?

Richard, Jakarta,

The most sucessful women I know don't have children.
The human race is debasing its gene pool

Martin, London,

"She has a lifetime with her daughter, but this chance will not come again."

Actually, it's the other way round. The chance to spend those first few all important days/weeks with her newborn will not come again.

Jane, Ipswich,

From the woman's point of view, you're entirely correct.

However, unless you can afford a nanny, a child in daycare at three months does suffer. Their physical, holding needs are not met, they are unhappy and unfulfilled.

The mother ought not to take the whole burden - let dad take over a year!

Richard, Montréal, Canada

Hello! This is a superficial, bourgeois argument. How many of our (single mother/married/whateva) lives are that simple? To be able to choose to stay at home w/ young children means that mother is in a very elite position in her society.

holly, san francisco,

This year I gave up a full time career and now don't work. I wouldn't go back for double my income. I suspect women who write and agree with these articles can't give up work for financial reasons so make themselves feel better about the incidious trap they are in by pretending to like it.

jenny, mosgiel, new zealand

My German friend stayed at home for the first 3 years of her child's life and has never had a decent job since. Long-term unemployment or part-time, low-paid jobs are the consequence of her decision. It's been a struggle for her. If it weren't for the support of the child's father ...

Tina Jones, Dusseldorf, Germany

Good on Dati doing the sensible thing. Work and what it offers might be hard, but the rewards are more far reaching than the home alternative, especially with systemic support. Yes I loved the first smile, but it didn't last long.

Liz , Sydney, Australia

It's amazing how women feel entitled to tell other women how exactly they are supposed to lead their lives. Quite grandiose. But on the other hand not so bad, because this way they fight the gender wars all between themselves and leave the men alone. -- Go at it, ladies! Sock it to 'em!

Wolfgang, Boulder, CO, USA

I work full time and have a three year old. It's not ideal, and at times I feel guilty. I also feel that not working would be a waste of my education and the effort spent achieving it. But if I had the choice of staying at home with my child... I think that we women put pressure on ourselves.

L Smith, Hamilton, Scotland

give us some creches, decent kindergardens, affordable nannies and finally women in the UK will be able to dream to have it all!

Why do you think 85% of French women (including Dati) work, while they produce 2.4 children on average? Because the French government had the good idea to help them!

annabelle gauberti, london, uk

Your wonderful career isn´t going to visit you in hospital or comfort you when you are grieving.
Your career will never provide you with as much joy as your children´s first smiles.

Feminism has been a failed experiment that has cost us all dearly.Stop trying to sell it to us.

Ellie, Berlin,

Women can be workaholics too. 5 days after major surgery fits that label. Nor should we accept that work and family life cannot be reconciled. Babies also need loving not merely efficient care in the early months while the physical structures of their brains are being formed. Love matters.

Carl, Plymouth,

One shoe does not fit all. Personally I wanted to stay at home when my children were small and I don't regret a minute of it. Other women couldn't think of anything worse than staying at home with small children and working is best for them. End of story, simple really!!

Susie, Bermuda,