Category Archives: Double Duty

As a working mother who has many side interests, it can be a challenge to find the time to do all the things I love. Double Duty is a series chronicling my commitment to make the most of both billable and non-billable time.

Point One- Links of Note

The weekend proved to require more work than I expected. During these times, I make a conscious effort to ensure time I do have with my family is quality time. Whether that’s a house hockey match with my son, or enjoying a cup of coffee with my husband, it’s all about the quality. I am doing what is best for my family every day, even if I’m not physically there each moment. In my heart I know that is true, but it doesn’t always stop the guilt. Moments like this, I know it’s time to take a Point One break- 0.1 hour or 6 minutes to remember that I am very happy at being a working mom and I am doing right by my family.

Drop the guilt fellow working moms. It will be ok.

Having a working mom is a positive thing.

There was a moment of guilt before eating this duck and bacon pizza. And then the pizza was consumed.

Parental Pressure

For my fellow lawyers with children, this is a great read.  Law 360: From Billable Hours to Bedtime Stories: Lawyering with Children

 

“The number of hours lawyers are expected to be available has increased,” said Joan C. Williams, a professor at University of California, Hastings, College of the Law. “It means attorneys sometimes feel that in order to be full-time lawyers, they have to be absentee parents. People make it work, but does it create severe pressures on parents? Yes, it does.”

“Amid these increasing billable-hour demands, lawyers with children face the added pressure of shifting gears more often between home life and work life.”

 

5 Tips for Working While Flying with a Baby

20150408_Double Duty

Flying with a baby is a challenge unto itself but trying to work during a flight with your baby is a true test of multitasking ability. With a little advanced preparation and a bit of luck, you can get work done with your little one in tow.

5 tips for working while flying with a baby

Tip #1: Leave Early and Work from Airport

Babies and billable work are both unpredictable, so I always aim to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance and work from the airport if needed.

Tip #2: Invest in a Mobile Hotspot or Learn to Use Your Phone as a Personal Hotspot

Most airports have a free or paid wireless option at the airport, but I find that these are not always reliable or the speed is so slow with people passing the time watching Netflix that Citrix refuses to load. Having a mobile hotspot or using my phone as a hotspot is a good way to ensure I will have internet connection to fire off any important emails while waiting at the airport.

Tip #3: Use a Diaper Backpack and a Small Crossbody Bag

I opt to use a diaper backpack when traveling, as it’s large enough to fit all of baby’s necessities plus my work laptop. To make check in and security clearance easy, I use a small crossbody bag to hold my wallet, cell phone and boarding pass. I have never been stopped for having 3 carry-on bags (roller bag, diaper backpack and crossbody bag), but I always make sure the diaper backpack has a little extra space where I can stuff my crossbody bag just in case.

Tip #4: Sit in a Window Seat on Your Non-Dominant Side

I am right handed so I make sure I sit in a window seat on pilot’s left side of the plane so I can cradle the baby on my left arm with his head near the window. This protects the baby from traffic in the aisle and potential spilled drinks, plus allows me to hold a pen to easily mark up agreements during the flight.

Tip #5: Go Old School with a Pen and Paper

Working on a laptop is nearly impossible with a baby in your lap or even a small child next to you. There isn’t a lot of space in economy seating, plus baby hands and milk are a constant moving target. To make the most of limited space, I print out the agreements I need to review or bring a legal pad with me and do any revisions or drafting the old school way. Pen and paper are also easier to stow at the end of the flight when there is the mad rush to make sure the baby is feeding to protect their little ears.

Double Duty- Teacher + Foodie

Pi Day 20150314

Who would miss the opportunity to combine a teaching moment with dessert indulgence? Not I. Especially not when it involves pie. For pi day, or super pi day this year, my husband and I took our son out to enjoy the great weather and a mini key lime pie. Although he is a little too young to currently understand what pi or pie is, it is never too early to start traditions, particularly those which involve celebrating a love of learning with food.

As a working mother who has many side interests, it can be a challenge to find the time to do all the things I love. Double Duty is a series chronicling my commitment to make the most of both billable and non-billable time.