The Juggle Examines The Tough Choices Faced By A Working Lawyer Mom

The Juggle, a leading work life balance blog sponsored by the Wall Street Journal, recently published this email from one of its lawyer readers:

As a full-time working mom in the legal industry with a demanding schedule and a toddler at home, I’ve been hit for the past few months with thoughts of giving up the juggle. . . the sleepless nights, crying uncontrollably late Sunday nights, yearning to be at home with my daughter while I’m on the phone with the client and hoping they don’t notice I’m only half-listening. . .

The reader, who said her husband is also a professional, wondered why she keeps going.

Is it pride at work that if I quit I’ll be considered a “failure” by coworkers? Is it pride where I might consider myself a failure if I quit that I couldn’t “do it all”?

This is a tough question faced by many full-time lawyers who juggle work and parenting. Not surprisingly, the post has, to date, attracted 116 comments from other readers. Click here to read their responses - they may help you gain some insight into your own situation.