The holidays typically present stresses, especially the December holidays. Knowing how to handle these stresses is important to surviving them and safeguarding your wellness.
My first topic this week is hopefully a “one-off ” and involves very bad decision making that certainly added to the stress of the holidays for one law student. As reported by several news sources, a pregnant second-year student, whose baby was due on December 2, 2024, a date that fell within the exam period at her law school, requested permission to take exams early to avoid delivering her baby during the exam period and missing exams. The administration at Georgetown Law initially denied her request because it was considered to be “inequitable to other non-birthing students.” That denial angered fellow students, who lodged a petition in support of the request, causing administrators to reconsider their denial. Although a reasonable accommodation was reached with the mother-to-be, the actions of the administration offend me in my role as advocate for women lawyers, and the fact that it happened at my law alma mater especially disappoints me.
My second topic concerns how young lawyers can deal with holiday stress, and I also draw on my background for this information. I am a member of the Virginia Bar, and I was pleased to see an article in the December issue of the Virginia Lawyer hilighting this important subject. The most important messages for young lawyers addressed there include the following: Setting boundaries with both family and professional colleagues during an especially busy and hectic season; Practicing mindfulness by staying “in the moment,” remaining positive and not requiring perfection in every situation; And providing as much personal time and self-care as possible.
This is very good advice — but it takes a purposeful and direct approach. Be respectful when articulating your needs, and don’t forget to express gratitude for the cooperation of others in helping you get through the holidays and enjoy the season.
