considering PhD...can I have some advice, please?

[EveWasFramed]

Good morning!
I have two lovely DCs; DS will be 4 in June, DD is 2.8. I am finishing up my MA degree in September, and as the job market in my field is not great at the moment, I was thinking about staying on at the same uni and going for the PhD. It's been difficult, balancing family and doing quality school work, but I love it, and am doing fairly well.

My concern is that I've heard that PhD can be very de-stablising for families, and can cause some problems. I can't help but think that because the PhD work is self directed, you're more able to set your own schedule, and so I'd be more able to work around DCs...better than if I was working full time for an organisation.

What have your experiences been? Can you offer any advice? Thanks!

maybe put this in student parents?

There's a book I'vr read specifically about women doing PhDs and the particular barriers/problems they have- I cant remember the title but it might be helpful for you.

Hey, thanks for the tip...I'll check over on the other board!

Hello Eve,

I did my PhD before I had my DD so can't really comment on that aspect, however, the work is flexible, you set your own hours, but you do need to motivate yourself a lot of the time. If you have managed your family and MA then you know what to expect. If you need a PhD for your ultimate career choice, teaching, research etc, then go for it!

I did an MA and a PhD as a single mum... no problems although it did take me slightly longer than 3 years.

My kids were older though - around that age when I did my MA and the youngest went into daycare whilst the eldest started school. It was hard, but it sorted itself out... we all did homework together ;o)

It's far more fun and flexible doing a PhD than working so go for it. Good luck

Almost all the PhD students in my department are mothers to children about the age as your DCs, it seems to be a nice flexible way to re-enter the job market. I wish I had done mine after I had kids instead of before. The stipend payment (assuming you would be funded) does not count as income, so you don't pay tax on it or lose any child based benefits. If it is lab based however, it is hard to fit around childcare - so I guess it depends on your area as well.

I finished my PhD in 2008. My children are now nearly 15 and 12. I did it full time on a scholarship which was handy for the after school care I needed.

I personally found it very difficult and feel that I was not as good a mummy as I should have been. I have been told this is guilt but there you go.

When DH did his, we did not have the children and he could just focus on his research. He finished his in under 3 years.

I found it very difficult to immerse myself in research and then find that I had to stop at 3 to go get the kids and sort out the usual. DH is a good bloke but a bloke.

I had to work in school hours, then stop until the children were in bed. Then I worked in the evening. When I was writing up, I worked non-stop...DH used to take the children out for the day so I could just write. Very depressing.

However, I finished. And the children are very proud of me. No one died...and I think it was worth it.

I like being called Dr....

Advice: be super organised, accept that things may go pie shaped, and be absolutely sure that it is what you want to do.

Good Luck!!!!