When is the “best” time to have a kid? I know there really isn’t a best time, but I’ve been told around the 3rd year associate level is “ideal”. As in, you’ll be missed at work but are still junior enough to not have a demanding workload from your own clients. I’m a first year associate in private practice and this question has come up quite a bit, so thought I’d ask it here.

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Have kids when you’re ready for kids. I had my first as a 3rd year and my second and third about 2 and 4 years later, but I’ve known people who waited until they were partner. They can all work. When you’re more senior, you do have to give more thought to transitioning your matters temporarily, but it’s all doable. Try not to let your reproductive decisions be determined by your job.

likesmarthelpful

Great advice.

Once you're ready, don't wait to start trying. There is no good time, and time just keeps passing. You don't know how long it will take to get pregnant and don't know that a pregnancy will be successful, and in any event, the pregnancy itself is nearly 10 months. It took me 8 months to get pregnant, so it was a year and a half from starting to try to taking leave, and it very easily could have been longer, so you can't really time things anyway. Now I'm a 7th year on leave, and my clients are happy for me, and the partners are happy for me, and my child gets to be my priority over my career.

likesmart

There is no good time to have a baby. Just based on when I met my husband, I had my child in my second year as partner. Everything was fine. If everything goes well, I plan to have another next year 🤷🏻‍♀️

likesmart

I got married at 38 and had my kids at 39 and 40. Although I was lucky as had no problem conceiving, I don’t recommend waiting that long! It’s never a good time work wise, so prioritize yourself and do what’s best for you.

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This is just a job. Have them when it’s right for you.

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I think this should be a conversation with your significant other. It should be when both of you are ready to have a child instead of based on your job.

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Goes without saying that I agree with everyone else re: not family planning around work. One thing to consider (if you are really trying to time it, although not recommended) is when you would be considered for promotion. My firm looks back 2 years in terms of hours/ reviews when you're up for partner. We definitely have women that feel like they were penalized for going on leave b/c hours tend to be lower when ramping down/ back up.

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https://joinfishbowl.com/post_pcbzqyasgz

There are many threads on this topic here, example above. Consensus has always been whenever you want and are ready - particularly because as mentioned above you never know if you will get pregnant quickly or not anyway.

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Agree. No good time or bad time. You do you and lead a new chapter with your precious LO!

Pregnant in my first year! I want to see what it’s like to have a kid early in life, so I have time to have many more if I want.

I found out I made partner when I was pregnant with my first. I had to take full time 14 weeks of leave due to complications, and everyone pitched in to help. With my second, I was a more seasoned partner so I checked my email the entire time to respond to client needs and worked part time. However, I was able to delegate a lot to associates and other partners. If it’s the right firm, anytime will work. Depending on the compensation structure, it may be easier as an associate especially if there is paid leave. I was paid but it definitely affects your revenue receivables the following months/years.

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