8/12/13

Weighing Law School

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We didn’t buy the book.  We already know what to do with our lives.

 

Once upon a time I took the LSAT (the big fat test you have to take to apply to law school.) 

I was happy with my score so I applied to law school all over the US.

They liked my application so I got into some schools in New York City, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Salt Lake City.

Then, as you know, God made me move to Salt Lake City under the auspice of perhaps enrolling at BYU or the University of Utah.

I’ve taken the summer to think about it. 

001

Me, thinking about going to law school.  Or actually at a Bob Dylan concert with Hush.

Nope, not gonna go.

Turns out I don’t think law school is the best choice for my family at this time.  I still have two little kids at home (Silas goes to preschool for a few hours and Jude is starting Pre-K which is glorified preschool).  They’re with me most of the day and I know how fortunate I am to be able to stay home to raise my children.  My kids only have one parent raising them and it would be unfair of me to deprive them of that just so I could eventually make more money and stoke my ego with another degree.  My kid’s emotional well being is more important than me feeling awesome.  They need me more than I need more letters after my name. 

The law school application process was grueling, but it did serve many purposes.  I’m sure that I wouldn’t have ever EVER EVER considered moving to SLC if not for the seductive school offers.  I probably wouldn’t have moved anywhere at all.  Furthermore, I applied during a very difficult time in my life when I was feeling like a failure and getting into schools validated my ego.  It was really really hard literally closing doors I’d taken a year to open – walking away from a free law school education was overwhelming. 

But when it comes right down to it, I don’t want to spend three years in school only to be set free when I’m 35 and jump right back into a full-time job to make the education worth it.  I don’t want to shuttle my kids to daycare at the crack of dawn so I can drown myself in legal reading til all hours of the night.  I don’t want to come home, feed my kids, tuck them in and then write huge papers.  Doesn’t that sound awful?  Want to know what I want to do?  I want to raise my three kids and have more babies, God willing.

I’m a liberated educated woman who wants to stay at home and raise good kids.  Sue me.

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No education is worth missing this.

8 comments:

Ashley said...

Hi Nor. As a retired lawyer, full-time mom of young kids I think you made a wise decision. It's really hard to love working in the law. At my law school reunion I think only two people said they were happy with their jobs (both were government attorneys). It's just a hard profession to enjoy, and you have so many talents and a proven track record working in creative fields that you seem to really enjoy. I say embrace that and let other sorry saps slave away billing hours!

Jennie said...

I'm so glad you feel at peace. Raising the littles is such important work.

MaryAnn said...

There is no greater career than being a quality mom to your children. I commend you on your decision. You will never be sorry..... ENJOY each day with your adorable little ones recognizing that they will be grown way too quickly. Use your time wisely helping in the schools and sharing your considerable talents. Rich blessings await you!

michelle said...

That post makes perfect sense! Good for you! You only get one childhood to spend with your littles and then it is gone, I can't believe how quickly. But being accepted by those schools is just plan awesome!

E B said...

Still laughing at "Sue me!"

Natalie Bergin said...

Hallelujah and amen!

Circe said...

What michelle said. I'm relieved and happy for you!

Lauren in GA said...

I loved this so, so, much. I agree...the little ones are the most important.