June 29, 2023
Congratulations to all working parents in the Equilawbrium community!! You have successfully travelled half way around the sun as we approach the end of June.
Whether you are busy celebrating your kid's graduation or planning for the upcoming summer vacation, I hope you will give yourself a huge pat on the shoulder for everything that you have done since the beginning of 2023 and take a moment for yourself!
But if you find yourself craving an instant boost of encouragement and inspiration, please do check out the highlights of our more recent Fireside Chats below:
BREATHE
"Take a deep breath. Once you’ve got your priorities straight, you’ll be able to handle challenges as they come up by keeping your eye on the ultimate prize."
PERSISTENCE
"I am learning to be more open and honest about my challenges and struggles. I was really hesitant to be my authentic self in a professional setting, but it is creating deeper relationships which provide support in the tough times (and the good times)."
COURAGE
"Perfection is not my goal – it is to have a rich life, with joy and contribution, and to build the courage and resilience to face the inevitable challenges ahead. I won’t always get it right, or do it well, but I am going to keep optimistic and go forward with good intentions."
EMPATHY
"Life is not a race. Practicing law and building your career is part of the process. Enjoy each stage and trust that you can achieve anything you set your mind to."
COMMUNICATION
"The biggest challenge is carving out enough time in the day to work and spend time with the kids. I find the only way to manage this is to have constant communication with your spouse on your respective schedules."
RESILIENCE
"You need to be aware that the challenges you face may be greater than before, you may feel more tired than before, and you may feel more stressed than before. Pay attention to your body and your spirit, and when you need to, talk to someone about what troubles you, see a friend, see a counsellor, see a doctor. Don't let it get out of hand, burn out is real."
PRESENCE
"Lean into your intuition and figuring out what works best for your family. And don’t be afraid of seeking community with other parents – not for the sake of comparison but for camaraderie and connection – to combat the loneliness"
The Wisdom Panel
Equilawbrium (www.equilawbrium.ca) is an online platform for legal professionals to find their equilibrium as a working parent. It is specifically designed for legal professionals who are in their first 10 years of practice and have kids who are ≤10 years of age, which I dubbed as the “Dual 10 Challenges”.
Please subscribe to the Fireside Chat newsletter (https://lnkd.in/dUAE3tDs) and you will never miss a great chat!
P.S. If you (or someone you know) are a legal professional AND a parent, and are willing to share any parenting/career tips, tricks, or advice with the legal community of working parents at Equilawbrium, please DM me! Equilawbrium and our readers need you!
Disclaimer: Any views, information, and personal opinions expressed by the authors or guests are entirely their own and do not reflect or represent those of their employers or clients.