Do you need to upgrade your career areas to gain career levels? Because my guy is a level 4 lobbyist, and I have had him "working on his career" for over 4 real life hours and his level isn't moving at all.
I consider this a major issue since my woman is constantly nursing and won't work on her career.
Its like you have to choose between having kids and having a career... and if you choose the career there's no real game after they get old.