Law Dad: Russ Shepp

Russ Shepp (2L)

Hometown: Esterhazy Saskatchewan (Go Riders!)

Undergrad: B.Ed BSc from the Prairie Province Ivy League School (University of Saskatchewan)

How many children do you have and how old are they?
2 Children, Sophie is 2.5 years old and Thomas is 1 month old.
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Law Dad

Shaun Parker, 3L

Kids’ names and ranks?
1) Willem Henry Parker: 21mo
2) Baby #2: July 2011 (consider this our inaugural announcement!)

How has being a parent changed you?
Perspective. In 1L, I was obsessed with school and running; they consumed all my time. Today, I still fit those things in, but I don’t sweat it when more of my time becomes devoted to learning about animal sounds and colours than reading cases about why the rule against perpetuities should or should not apply to oil and gas leases.

What was it like going through the pregnancy process in law school?
My wife, Naomi, was pregnant throughout 1L and Willem was born right in the middle of finals. I was studying for Crim in the hospital. I ended up deferring two exams and writing my Constitutional final four days later. Studying was a little more stressful with a newborn but I wouldn’t change a thing.

When did it sink in that you were a parent?
The moment I first saw him and heard his first cry. I can’t describe it, but I was hit by an overwhelming wave of love that I could not have expected.

What’s Willem’s favourite meal?
Except for asparagus or mushrooms the kid loves everything, including brussel sprouts, raw onions and lemons. Maybe we’re bad parents, but we get a kick out of seeing what sorts of things we can get him to eat next.

Which prof would make the best babysitter?
Professor Penney. Willem has a real cheese-ball humour and would be entertained for hours with all the cheese-ball jokes his lectures offer. The ninja monkey lecture would be the highlight.

Is there anything that you buy for your kid that you secretly want for yourself?
I haven’t bought it yet, but he is totally going to get a lightsaber. I already taught him to make the humming noises and have battles with me using wrapping paper tubes over Christmas.

What is your secret to success in being both a law student and a parent?
Prioritize prioritize prioritize. I stay at home with Willem three days a week. I begin schoolwork the instant he goes down for a nap. Naomi, who works full-time, takes over on the evenings and weekends which allows me to catch up on work. She is awesome.

How will your kids help or hinder you when you study for exams?
I’ll be honest, there’s no way he helps me study. If I try when he’s awake he inevitably worms his way into my lap with his favourite book, pushes my notes/computer aside, and sweetly begs me to read to him.

Any funny anecdotes?
A while ago Willem got into the habit of saying “uh-oh” which caught on with Naomi and I. One night we were out for dinner (without him) and our waitress dropped a glass which broke in front of us. I instinctively let out a large “uh-oh” (in my best Dad voice) loud enough for everyone in the restaurant to overhear.

Law Dad

JUSTIN JENSEN (2L)

Kids’ names and ranks?
Braden – “the big brother” – 3 years.
Penny – “the little sister” – 6 months.

How have your kids changed you? I am a much more accomplished train track builder and toy car racer. I am also pretty good at getting kids’ feet into shoes (harder than you think).

What was it like going through the pregnancy process in law school? The pregnancy process was exciting for me. Fortunately I was not the one who was sick and achy. Penny was born just a few days after my first year finals; although this was stressful, I could have gotten out of any exam by faking “the phone call” from my wife.

When was the first moment it officially sunk in that you were a dad? The day that we brought Braden home from the hospital. All of a sudden we were in charge of this little life.

What are your kids’ favourite meals?
Braden – Cheese Grilled Samiches (grilled cheese for the rest of us).
Penny – pretty much anything mixed with applesauce.

Which prof would make the best babysitter? Gerry Gall. If he started to tell one of his infamous stories, the kids would be asleep in no time. It would be a win-win for everyone.

What gift are you going to buy your kids this season but secretly want for yourself? Braden is getting some awesome Nerf guns. We all know that they are for me.

Any holiday traditions? We always get Chinese Food on Christmas Eve. It’s not Christmas without the Ginger Beef.

What’s your family’s favourite holiday-themed movie? Elf.

What celebrity’s kid would you adopt into your family? Suri Cruise – the poor girl needs some normality. Plus, imagine how much money we could make by selling her old clothes on Ebay.

How will your kids help or hinder you when you study for exams? I think that having kids totally helps me during exams. It is great to just escape from the books into the world of a 3-year-old. There is nothing like fighting imaginary bad guys to get your mind off of your finals.

Any funny anecdotes about your kids? Last year Braden thought Santa was stalking us. He was cool with seeing Santa at the mall, but he got really weirded out when Santa started to show up at other places. The final straw was when Santa came to a party we were having at a friend’s house. After that Braden said he didn’t want Santa to come anymore, and he was really worried about this strange guy sneaking into our house when we were sleeping. He got over it all when we reminded him about the presents.