Starting law school with a newborn Forum

[musicfor18]

I'm planning to begin law school this Fall, but my wife and I are expecting a baby this summer. I'm interested in others (if any) who have done this, and whether or not it's a crazy idea to start school with a newborn. Also whether waiting one more year to start law school is a better or worse idea (the baby would be one year old).

Serious replies only, please. Thanks for your help!

[jetlagz28]

Will your wife be working?

You my friend will be very busy.

[Renzo]

Don't wait. The first four months pretty are pretty much megasuck. After that it gets exponentially easier, and having a one-year old isn't really any easier than having a 6-month old.

The only really hard part is that you are going to have to be super-discipined about structuring your time. Treat school like a job-- you go, you work your ass off and get everything you need to done, then you come home and don't think about it.

[KMaine]

Don't think waiting a year would be better, about the same. Renzo's advice is decent. If you have never had a child before, you will be adjusting to a lack of sleep along with adjusting to law school. But people have jobs when they have babies. Despite all of the hype, law school is about the same as having a job.

Law students seem to think they are somehow the only ones who work hard. Not so true.

[Renzo]

Law students seem to think they are somehow the only ones who work hard. Not so true.

Law school is much less work than actually working, in my opinion. It can be much, much more stressful, but generally less work.

[musicfor18]

Thanks for the replies so far! Renzo and KMaine....I'm assuming you guys have kids?

[KMaine]

I do!

[musicfor18]

I would love to get more input if anyone else out there has been in my situation! Thanks.

[A'nold]

Yo. Our baby girl was born about 1-2 weeks before school started. My wife stays at home with the baby and this has been the best year of my life by far. I actually think having that beautiful girl to come home to has made law school a thousand times better. It is so much fun you have no idea what awaits. Congrats!

[BetterCallSaul]

Congrats on the baby! This is a happy thread.

I don't have kids so I can really give informed advice, but can I ask if your wife will be staying home during your first year or going back to work (especially during your first semester)? I imagine that would have some bearing on how easy or challenging being a new dad and 1L would be.

[KMaine]

Oh, yeah. I forgot to say congratulations.

[musicfor18]

Yo. Our baby girl was born about 1-2 weeks before school started. My wife stays at home with the baby and this has been the best year of my life by far. I actually think having that beautiful girl to come home to has made law school a thousand times better. It is so much fun you have no idea what awaits. Congrats!

Your reply made me very happy! We're having a girl too, and I'm so excited.

[musicfor18]

Congrats on the baby! This is a happy thread.

I don't have kids so I can really give informed advice, but can I ask if your wife will be staying home during your first year or going back to work (especially during your first semester)? I imagine that would have some bearing on how easy or challenging being a new dad and 1L would be.

Yes, my wife is planning to stay home.

[shepdawg]

Congratulations. Having a baby is awesome. My daughter didn't sleep for more than 2 hours at a time until she was 7 months old, and she screamed every minute she was awake. The worst colic anyone in my friends and family have ever seen. It made life very difficult. Going to work with 2 hours of sleep was draining. Most likely your baby will be a lot easier, and life won't be that bad.

As they get older they are much easier. My girl is 16 months old now, and she is very easy. She sleeps from 7pm to 7am every night, and is hilariously funny and entertaining when she is awake.

[Renzo]

Congratulations. Having a baby is awesome. My daughter didn't sleep for more than 2 hours at a time until she was 7 months old, and she screamed every minute she was awake. .

Mine did this all night, and was an angel all day.

[BetterCallSaul]

Congrats on the baby! This is a happy thread.

I don't have kids so I can really give informed advice, but can I ask if your wife will be staying home during your first year or going back to work (especially during your first semester)? I imagine that would have some bearing on how easy or challenging being a new dad and 1L would be.

Yes, my wife is planning to stay home.

That is really awesome for you both.

As has been said, law school is definitely not more work than most full time jobs--but 1L can mess with your head. I'm sure your wife and girl will help keep you sane. On behalf of baby adoring law students everywhere, please bring your daughter to campus as often as possible--baby mascots are the best. Congratulations again.

[renata96]

I havent been in law school yet so I cant say for sure but my son's father is in the military and had to wake up at 5 AM every morning and work until 5 PM and he did it without a problem and I imagine that's a longer day than most law students have. I think it'd be more difficult if you were the mother (with nursing and such).
Ill be starting law school when my son is 8 months so best of luck.

[shepdawg]

I havent been in law school yet so I cant say for sure but my son's father is in the military and had to wake up at 5 AM every morning and work until 5 PM and he did it without a problem and I imagine that's a longer day than most law students have. I think it'd be more difficult if you were the mother (with nursing and such).
Ill be starting law school when my son is 8 months so best of luck.

I'm thinking most 1L's have days longer than 12 hours. You are right about one thing. Daddies have it much easier than the moms. There is no way I could have lived through what my wife did when we had our newborn.

[KMaine]

All of the above advice is credited. I am glad that your wife will be staying at home, that will make things much less hectic. 1L can, in fact, mess with your head and there are many people who have it harder than law students. If you are like me, you will love being a dad and love law school. If you don't mind me asking, where will you be going in the fall?

[musicfor18]

All of the above advice is credited. I am glad that your wife will be staying at home, that will make things much less hectic. 1L can, in fact, mess with your head and there are many people who have it harder than law students. If you are like me, you will love being a dad and love law school. If you don't mind me asking, where will you be going in the fall?

I'll be going to USC. These responses are all so helpful. Thanks everyone!

[musicfor18]

Anyone else with experience in this area able to chime in?

[windycityblues]

No experience (yet) to add here, but glad you asked the question, Musicfor18. I'm in the same boat as you (I'm actually due in about 10 days) and will be a 1L this August. It's more than a little unnerving so I always like hearing about other success stories and supportive folk instead of the standard "you are nuts, why don't you jut wait until after you have kids to go to school," etc etc.

Another question for those who've "been there"-

Obviously the school work/home life balance is really important, but also, did you find that you were still able to form LS friendships/participate at all in any of the social aspects of school? I know this will vary a lot by school and personal choices, I just don't want to be the "one with the baby" that nobody really knows...

[musicfor18]

No experience (yet) to add here, but glad you asked the question, Musicfor18. I'm in the same boat as you (I'm actually due in about 10 days) and will be a 1L this August. It's more than a little unnerving so I always like hearing about other success stories and supportive folk instead of the standard "you are nuts, why don't you jut wait until after you have kids to go to school," etc etc.

Another question for those who've "been there"-

Obviously the school work/home life balance is really important, but also, did you find that you were still able to form LS friendships/participate at all in any of the social aspects of school? I know this will vary a lot by school and personal choices, I just don't want to be the "one with the baby" that nobody really knows...

Oh, it's great to hear from someone else in my shoes. My wife is due in about 5 weeks. It sounds like you're the mother, though? That will be a bit more challenging, but I think we'll do just fine! Where will you be going?

[windycityblues]

No experience (yet) to add here, but glad you asked the question, Musicfor18. I'm in the same boat as you (I'm actually due in about 10 days) and will be a 1L this August. It's more than a little unnerving so I always like hearing about other success stories and supportive folk instead of the standard "you are nuts, why don't you jut wait until after you have kids to go to school," etc etc.

Another question for those who've "been there"-

Obviously the school work/home life balance is really important, but also, did you find that you were still able to form LS friendships/participate at all in any of the social aspects of school? I know this will vary a lot by school and personal choices, I just don't want to be the "one with the baby" that nobody really knows...

Oh, it's great to hear from someone else in my shoes. My wife is due in about 5 weeks. It sounds like you're the mother, though? That will be a bit more challenging, but I think we'll do just fine! Where will you be going?

I am the mama, so I know there will surely be an added element of ridiculousness to my daily life. I'm headed to Northwestern--I'm hoping that the older/more worldly student body will offer a supportive environment. So far the game plan is to have baby girl at the university daycare (about a block from the LS) while I'm at school. In between classes I can go over and feed her/hang out (as much as you hang out with a 3mo..) then go back to study. This of course assumes that 1.) I can figure out how to pay for daycare on my loans (OUCH!) and 2.) we are able to get off the waitlist at the daycare...who knew that getting your baby into daycare was more competitive than a TLS? We signed up in January to have her start in August, but apparently we were waaay behind the curve. Currently working on a killer LOCI for her.....

[musicfor18]

No experience (yet) to add here, but glad you asked the question, Musicfor18. I'm in the same boat as you (I'm actually due in about 10 days) and will be a 1L this August. It's more than a little unnerving so I always like hearing about other success stories and supportive folk instead of the standard "you are nuts, why don't you jut wait until after you have kids to go to school," etc etc.

Another question for those who've "been there"-

Obviously the school work/home life balance is really important, but also, did you find that you were still able to form LS friendships/participate at all in any of the social aspects of school? I know this will vary a lot by school and personal choices, I just don't want to be the "one with the baby" that nobody really knows...

Oh, it's great to hear from someone else in my shoes. My wife is due in about 5 weeks. It sounds like you're the mother, though? That will be a bit more challenging, but I think we'll do just fine! Where will you be going?

I am the mama, so I know there will surely be an added element of ridiculousness to my daily life. I'm headed to Northwestern--I'm hoping that the older/more worldly student body will offer a supportive environment. So far the game plan is to have baby girl at the university daycare (about a block from the LS) while I'm at school. In between classes I can go over and feed her/hang out (as much as you hang out with a 3mo..) then go back to study. This of course assumes that 1.) I can figure out how to pay for daycare on my loans (OUCH!) and 2.) we are able to get off the waitlist at the daycare...who knew that getting your baby into daycare was more competitive than a TLS? We signed up in January to have her start in August, but apparently we were waaay behind the curve. Currently working on a killer LOCI for her.....

Ha! Congrats on Northwestern. Yeah, I'm curious about loans with a child. Have you requested an increase in your Cost of Attendance to cover baby expenses?