I would feel remiss if I didn’t mention at least once in my blog about starting and building a law firm that I have a son. His name is Benjamin and he is a beautiful three-month-old boy.
I thought of this post last night while laying awake, feeding Ben from a bottle, and thinking about whether I can really start a law firm in Minneapolis, MN and whether it can actually be successful. For those of you who have kids, you know raising them is hard work. It is fun work. It is rewarding. But, it is work. My worry has been that I won’t be able to start a successful law firm and raise Ben properly. I am at home a lot with him right now and I cherish the time I have gotten to spend with my new son. I worry that if I start my own law firm, that Ben won’t have a parent at home with him. My mom stayed at home with my brothers and I and I still remember that fondly.
Now, I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that I have a beautiful and talented wife. She is my partner in this little joint venture and she is always available for Ben when he needs her. The way our move from Indiana to Minnesota is shaking out, she has also managed find a way to be home a lot with Ben and I. So, Ben has got it pretty good right now. But, my wife will be starting a job as a new family medicine doctor in August and I know she is going to be working a lot. I am taking the bar exam in July so I will be home but studying before starting a law firm. Will little Ben be ignored and get the attention he needs? Will we find a reasonably priced baby-sitter in Minnesota that cares about him? Should I just stay home and take care of him and forget about starting a law firm? Tough questions – all.
I should also admit that Ben is really not that much work right now. He has his basic needs of eat, sleep, go-to-the-bathroom and then repeat the cycle. He does play a little bit, but he is really a very easy, good boy. We are lucky.
I think the answer that I have come up with is that each family finds their own way. I am not going to give up on my dream of starting a successful law firm, but I am also going to be cognizant to my responsibilities to my special little boy – Ben.