A Case Of Premature Back-Patting

A couple of things stood out about the L.A. Times article yesterday titled "This Mommy Track May Go Somewhere; Some companies offer a chance to advance on a schedule that allows more time at home." (Howard Bashman linked it, so you can access it at least temporarily — I've mentioned the link rot issue before — from his post.)

First, this may sound a little strange but in this day and age shouldn't any article examining "Mommy Track" also discuss the plight of men in the similar situation?

Second, I am not one to judge anyone's approach to parenting (within reasonable bounds of course), particularly the approach of another lawyer/mom. Everyone has to do whatever works for them. But I would not want to be the kid who stumbled on this quote from my mom — "I know if I were home with my kids every day I'd be insane..." — in my travels.

The San Francisco Bar Association will hold a Work/Life Balance Conference on September 21 from 1:00 to 5:15 p.m., with the following worthwhile-looking (particularly the second panel) program:

• Can We Afford Part Time? The Business Case for Balanced Hours


• GenX and GenY Speak: A Panel of Younger Attorneys Tells Us What They can Provide, Want and Need


• Best Practices: Work/Life Measures that Really Work