More Children or Law Career????? Help

[Saira123]

Children or Career????? Help

Hi All

Im 28 and put my career plans on hold to have a baby who is now 7 month old. I want to work which is quite hard at the moment. As i cant seem to find a job in the field im qualified in!!! Plus with childcare costs its not actually worth me working at all until maybe shes about 3/4 years old - when shes at state nursery almost going to school.

So im in dilema should i just complete the family and have another baby???? that way when they are both at nursery/school in about 4/5 years time - Ill have more time to myself and can concentrate on career. or should i try to concentrate on getting a job now as there may be too much of a gap in my work history - which may not appeal to employers in years to come.

Basically Im torn between the idea of working delaying more children or attempting to work now and delay working/career. any advice.

ps.Done a law degree, looking for a possible law traineeship - which is like gold dust. finding one part time would be impossible.

any Solicitors out there with advice???????

i would go for number 2 now and go back in a couple of years time. is there any kind of volenteer law work you can do to keep your hand in? i know it doesn't pay but it will keep you in the loop

hi ben5

yeah im looking into a volunteer placement already.

I used to practice as a solicitor. There is a real culture of work work work and I took 8 weeks maternity leave each time with my two children and kept in touch with the office daily. You are still quite young and when you do get started on legal training will need to give it your all ( you will be in competition with all the new graduates who are used to fighting tooth and nail for everything) so I'd agree to have second child asap and then get yourself really focused and organised for the years to come.
Good luck.

Hi there! I am a solicitor and am currently on my second maternity leave. My ds is 3.5yrs old and my dd is 8 months. I took 5 months maternity with ds and am returning to work next month. My advice would also be to have a second child and then continue looking for a training contract once your family is complete. From what I have seen a family/law career seems more manageable if you have children before you start or alternatively when you are more senior (eg 5 year PQE +). Good luck!

Hello, I'm a solicitor, 5 years PQE, on maternity leave with my second child. I agree with the others that you should take the opportunity to complete your family now and then start your career afterwards. That way you can devote yourself to your training without interruption. Prospective employers will know that you're not about to disappear on maternity leave and you will also have developed all those efficiency skills as a mum which I find have helped me in my working life. Depending upon the age of your children when you finish training, you might feel you have a greater degree of choice over the specialism you follow, rather than having to ensure it is child-friendly.

From my experience, the disadvantage of starting training now and then having children while working is that your decisions as to when to start back and whether and when you add to your family again will be impacted by the strong work culture, whereas now you are free to decide as you wish.

Again, just my opinion from what I've seen and experienced: Being a little older than your average trainee won't be a problem, but training and then going on mat leave while you are still relatively inexperienced may be harder to manage.

All the best and good luck!

Not a solicitor but I have had to find lots of work experience and voluntary work in my field and have found the fact that i'm older and have completed my family is seen as a positive.
People do discriminate against women of child bearing years unfortunately, the fact that you can state at interview you've had your children and your childcare arrangements are water tight will be seen as an advantage.
Not that you should have to of course, but it comes up a lot I found.

Thank you all for your advice.

Unfortunatly or fortunatly iv already done the Legal practice diploma so basically i have 2 years till it expires. I think im going to apply for 2012 law traineeships. If im successful ill go down the career route and if not i think ill just have another baby and complete the family!!.

My DH retained as a lawyer in his mid 30s and is now in a magic circle firm so perfectly feasible to resume your career later. I say, go for your family first. But if/when you return to law later, be prepared for long hours (my DH only sees our DD in early mornings, weekends and holidays - no one works part time at his firm).

"retrained" not "retained"