Ed. note: This is the latest installment in a series of posts on motherhood in the legal profession, in partnership with our friends at MothersEsquire. Welcome Randi Johnson to our pages. Click here if you’d like to donate to MothersEsquire.
Navigating a typical day often feels like riding a double century in a single day (200 miles on a bike)! As a chief engagement officer, principal, managing and practicing attorney with Gravis Law, the demands of my professional life are unyielding. They don’t pause when I step through my front door. Home is another lively scene, with two energetic young girls who depend on me to be their personal Uber, shuttling them between sports practices and Girl Scout meetings. On top of this, there’s the looming prospect of caring for my aging parents, who are just beginning to show signs that they’ll soon need more support.
Morning Rush And Legal Lunches
Mornings are meticulously choreographed, starting with the breakfast chaos and school drop offs, then shifting to a day packed with constant meetings, court appearances, and inbox overflowing with new emails. Lunches are often brief and functional, used to catch up on emails or prepare for afternoon sessions. This juggling act isn’t just about keeping up with the workload; it’s about staying mentally agile and ready to switch gears between my professional responsibilities and parental responsibilities.
Afternoons Of Advocacy And Activities
I can feel the role shift as the school day ends. My afternoons transform into a balancing act of attending to parental duties alongside professional obligations. During these times, whether I’m cheering from the bleachers of a swim meet or quietly observing a gymnastics practice, I ponder the overlap in skills required for parenting and practicing law. Both roles demand emotional intelligence to navigate complex situations, adaptability to respond to unexpected challenges, and the ability to balance competing priorities while maintaining a clear sense of purpose. These moments are also critical for mentally regrouping and preparing for the evening routine.
Evolving Family Needs
The demands of these roles are just the beginning; I know significant changes are on the horizon. My parents pride themselves on their independence, yet the realization that I will soon need to add caregiving to my already packed schedule is stark. As I reflect on this shift, I think about how to integrate caregiving in a way that honors their autonomy while ensuring they receive the support they need. This puts me squarely in the middle of the “sandwich generation.”
Strategic Planning For Elder Care
To manage this impending shift, I’ve begun proactive discussions with my parents about their future needs, covering everything from living arrangements to health care and important legal matters such as establishing powers of attorney. While these conversations are tough, they are crucial for avoiding future emergencies. This approach not only helps me manage my anxiety about future changes but also gives me a structured plan to adapt to their needs.
Delegation And Time Management
A key strategy in getting things done with my sanity intact is to delegate more at work and home. My legal and operations teams are empowered to take responsible action toward our goals and objectives. At home, the family divides chores, and I hired a nanny in the afternoons four days a week to assist with sports, homework, and making healthy snacks. These changes make our home more cooperative and supportive. I was able to find some time for myself to exercise, engage in hobbies, visit friends, or just sit quietly.
Support Networks Matter
I couldn’t manage this alone. Building a support network is essential. Connecting with colleagues who understand the pressures of legal work and other parents navigating similar life stages provides a necessary support system. These connections offer practical advice and emotional comfort.
Navigating Challenges With Resilience
Each day is filled with opportunities for personal development. The resilience I build through managing these complex life layers — professional, parental, and soon caregiver — prepares me to tackle difficulties and to excel amidst them. It’s about harnessing these challenges, finding opportunities to thrive, and ensuring each family member and I feel supported and valued.
Reflections And Future Outlook
Looking ahead, these skills become even more crucial. The coming transitions require adaptability, clear communication, and firm boundaries to protect my well-being. Despite the demanding nature of this journey, it is replete with enriching moments that bring our family closer together, underscoring the value of every minute spent with loved ones.
Advice For Others In The Sandwich Generation
For those navigating similar paths, remember that proactive planning, building support networks, and being willing to adapt are essential. Create systems at home and work to stay organized and to allow yourself grace. Embrace available support systems, keep communication with your family open, and recognize your capacity to manage these multifaceted roles effectively.
Through a blend of professional rigor and personal commitment, the journey through parenting, lawyering, and caregiving becomes manageable and profoundly meaningful, filled with lessons about endurance, compassion, and the lasting strength of family bonds.
Randi Johnson is a confident and accomplished professional, committed to public service, community engagement, and defending joy in all places. Randi’s entry into the legal industry was driven by her desire to contribute and help others. She guides her clients by presenting legal options, empowering them to make informed decisions.
After successfully building her own law firm, Randi’s passion for the business side of legal services led her to Gravis Law, where she now serves as the Chief Engagement Officer, assisting talented attorneys in building their practices and leading marketing and communications.
Randi is a dedicated servant leader who actively serves on the Board of Directors for the WA State Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund (a governmental appointment) and MothersEsquire. She has previously served on the boards of the National Association of Women Business Owners – NW Chapter and the Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, where she was also an Executive Committee Member. Randi is a proud Girl Scout Troop Leader, a founding member and Active Chair of ConnectHER Idaho, and the Co-Founder of the Spokane/CDA Area Ladies Networking Group (LadyBoss), where she continues to inspire and empower women in their professional journeys.