it is possible after all: children plus PhD

[wearymum200]

This is going to sound boastful, so sorry in advance, but I have posted a number of times about the how difficult it is to do a PhD with small children, that I thought I would post a positive story.
I passed my PhD viva yesterday, minor correcs only. Still not properly sunk in, but given that 2 yrs ago I nearly resigned, it seems incredible.
My dc have never lived without my PhD, how weird is that ? (started when I finished mat leave with ds1 who is now 6) and had dd2 (now 3) in the middle. I've been pt all thru, so actually 3y work.
Good luck to anyone else who is on the road to a PhD ,or thinking of it!

Wow. Well done! You must be so proud of yourself and rightly so!

Well done!

When your DDs are at university and moaning about the work load you have full nagging and bragging rights :I

I'm trying to get into university next year when the kids will be 4 and 12 And that seems daunting enough but thanks for the inspiration. :)

Congratulations Wearymum! that is so good to hear! Minor corrections only - hurrah!!!

I am coming towards the end of year 2 of my Phd. I am scared at the work ahead but hope can do it....

x

Congratulations!

Out of curiosity, what was your PhD in and how did you manage to get it done with the kids around? I'm playing with a similar idea but can't quite figure out the logistics yet of balancing full time job, kids and study.

Thanks all. I submitted my correcs yesterday so I'm really free. It will be a great feeling when I'm not so tired.
Ciske, my subject is molecular microbiology so entirely lab based and that was my part time job, I was funded to do the phd so that paid my 0.6 wte salary, most of which went on childcare, which I always had for 3 full days. The rest of the time I fitted around the children being asleep (much easier in my final year ) and dh being home (I was often in the lab from 9 to 11pm and occasionally at weekends).
Miffytastic, keep it up, you are nearly there! I thought the last year would be worst, but actually, it all came together and although I had a massive amount of data crunching to do, it was not the hurdle I had imagined. I even found myself enjoying making a coherent story out of what I had done.

Congratulations!

What a positive inspiration. I'm just completing my 1st year and going on mat leave to have first baby in December. I spend a lot of time wondering how feasible completing will actually be, so it's great to hear from someone who has completed so successfully with two DC.

Well done! And as Equimum says, a positive inspiration. I'm going on maternity leave in my final year so will somehow have to finish with a 1 year old to look after.

This sounds so amazing, a huge well done to you.

Im hoping to begin an access course in sept and Im freaking a bit about that so I cant imagine going on to do a PhD! What an achievement