Top Ten Reasons Why Teaching Is Like Practising Family Law

Many of my friends are teachers and/or work with kids. Over the year, I listen to their stories about the children they teach: their antics, their successes, their failures… As these teachers gear up for the very last week of school, I got to thinking.  I realized that, in many ways, teaching is not so different from what I do.

In honour of the end of the school year, then, the following is my top ten list: Top Ten Reasons Why Teaching Is Like Practising Family Law:

1. Teachers know that every child is different and should be treated as such. Family lawyers know that every client is an individual with his or her own personal story.

2. Teachers teach and family lawyers teach – informing clients of the law, their rights, and obligations.

3. Teachers and family lawyers know that people learn in different ways and tailor their “lessons” accordingly.

4. Teachers and family lawyers require endless reserves of patience.

5. Teachers and family lawyers will say things more than once and in different ways in order to be sure to get the point across.

6. Teachers and family lawyers sometimes wear funny outfits. Lawyers gown and teachers dress up for Hallowe’en and Pyjama Day (drawn your own conclusions on my feelings about gowns from this comparison…).

7. Teachers and family lawyers need to be compassionate and understanding.

8. Teachers and family lawyers both answer to a higher power, whether it be the principal, the senior partner or the judge.

9. Sometimes teachers and family lawyers are overwhelmed by paperwork and red tape.

10. Teachers and family lawyers get a well-deserved break and have the summers off. NOT!

Happy almost last day of school everyone.