How do you all explain your jobs and workloads to your families? I have to take work home over the holiday next week and my mom will not be happy

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I think pre-warning is the best move. I try to let people know ahead of time that I working (or may be in the future) on time sensitive matters.

I also try to explain the whole “we are a service industry and our firms charge astronomical sums for our immediate availability” to the family members that just don’t get it.

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They will never understand unless they have some connection the the big law world. It’s just the way it is. We are a service industry and we demand big rates, so we have to jump when we are told to jump.

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Second the advance warning. And I usually throw in a "deadlines are deadlines. I do some of this now or suffer a lot later." Then just be sure to be really engaged and present, phones away and encouraging others to do the same, when it's family time.

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I had this conversation with my mom last year. Mom: "You work too much and are on the computer all day, it's going to ruin your eyes." Me: "This is my job, this is how it is, plus most jobs these days are in front of a computer." Mom: "Then get a different job!" Me: (in my head) 🙄☹️ sure I’ll just go to the job store and get a new one with 6-hour days and < 2 hours of screen time

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Also A3 I’m getting jobs 2 for 1 on Black Friday so I can grab one for you to. They’re 9-5 but half off since that’s basically part time lol

I have always explained to my family that I am paid first and foremost for my availability. The more junior you are, the more your ability is your biggest asset. You may be working so that others can enjoy time with their family - and you’re being paid for the inconvenience.

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Should say “the more your availability is your biggest asset”

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Well... my dad is also in this industry so my family gets it

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I wish! My parents have no idea.

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My family is generally pretty understanding. My friends are the ones who can be a bit difficult. I normally just deadpan:

“You’re right, I’d rather be working on my laptop then doing XYZ. Don’t you wish you were working right now too?”

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I struggled with this as well having been in big law for just almost 2 years.
Ok so the way I’ve recently explained it which has seemed to register is by a hypothetical example directed at my parents. I tell them. My billable rate is X (which usually gets a shock) and strike a situation where I’m in a chambers hearing arguing on their behalf and the judge or opposing counsel pose a question or argument that I “hadn’t considered.” My parents, the hypothetical clients, are in the pews in this scenario watching it all go down. I then ask them, how would you feel, after having paid me X/hour, hearing that I “hadn’t considered” this point say, for example, because I felt I’d worked enough this week and wanted to go home and watch Netflix.
It seemed to resonate. The more relatable the hypothetical scenario to them the more likely effective.

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This is a very helpful explanation and one I may use next time this comes up! This weekend I just got some passing warnings that I’m ruining my eyes with so much screen time ☹️😒

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