When you chase the almighty dollar, and you work in these two industries the answer is yes. Its called billable hours and meeting deadlines. Most especially when you are young and new and expected to “pay your dues”.
How does a wife cope? Did you want to marry a lawyer? Well, if you wanted to marry a professional so that you are financially secure it doesn’t just come with the big bucks it comes with patience, understanding and support for the husband that has to work his tail off to earn the big bucks. So don’t fall into the trap of feeling sorry for yourself and understand that you both have to deal with this. He is not playing games he is working, and working hard whether it is meetings with the bosses, dinner meetings with clients, or research on the cases. He is on the clock and he is going to be doing this until he moves up in the company and there are other newbies that have to pay their dues. And of course that goes the same if it is the wife who is the professional in such a position.
So just hang in there and be as supportive as you can be and don’t just sit at home feeling resentful. Find things that you enjoy, get together with your friends and family and with other wives in the same position once or twice a week, use the time to catch up on your reading or take up a hobby that you always wanted to do, sign up for a class, etc.
For accountants it gets worse starting January still Tax season is over, so be prepared.