A Baby and Law School?!

So, did you see my posting about our zoo trip? If not, scroll down, because it is fun to show off my kids :)

As you can see, they are getting big! At about 6 1/2 and 3 1/2, they are not babies anymore. *sigh* Although we still take the stroller for longer outings, gone are the days that we are longing for the latest Bob stroller, fancy high chair, or baby sling. In fact, the youngest is now ready for her own two-wheeler (with training wheels, of course).

Hard to believe that three years ago, I was entering law school, leaving Wife at home with a 3-year-old and a 6-month-old. I remember saying, "Wow, Boy Wonder will be 7 when I graduate." Now, we are almost there! Someone asked me the other day about having a baby while in law school. While every situation is different, and people have to make their own decisions based on their own life circumstances, my first instinct is to say, "NO - Don't do it!"

I've been lucky to have a partner that could be a full-time stay-at-home mom for our two while I've been working and going to school. The sacrifices she has made have been tremendous, and the constant adjustments (including acting out to get my attention) from the kids were prices they had to pay for my choice. They always would rather I had been home, and often asked me to be when I could not. In my situation, it was not possible to give my all to either my partner, my kids, my school work or my job. Everything was only done to my partial best ability. Well - it was the best I had at the time. Sometimes, that has been enough. Others, I wish it could have been more. I didn't have time for law review or volunteer activities. I could only be home 3 nights a week for dinner, bath time and bedtime. I could only spend one full day per week seeing my kids. Sure, sometimes I have taken time off of work, or school, when one of them was sick, or had a special occasion, but sometimes, I just missed out. So did they.

Having a baby and raising a baby is harder than most people believe it will be. It is also really amazing.

Law school is challenging - mentally and emotionally - especially if you are also working full-time. It is sometimes nearly amazing.

Trying to do both, or rather, all three at once is crazy, if you have a choice.

I'm sure I could say a lot more on this topic, but for now, that is enough.