I hate writing this but I didn't watch any telly apart from ugly betty for 3 months. I looked after my 2ds all day, cooked dinner, helped dh get them to bed and then phd work until bed at midnight before the kids were up and down all night and then up at dawn, it was as awful as it sounds. I was an emotional, exhausted wreak. I'd stay up until 3-4 am at weekends, dh would take kids out and this was the final 3 month push in writing the discussion and the hard bits after spending last summer and autumn writing a bit in evenings and at weekends.
I only had my viva last week so it doesn't seem real but the pressure, nagging, snapping and grumpiness has all disappeared from our home (well almost - am never going to be a morning person again) don't underestimate the huge undertaking your phd is, unless you've had contact with someone writing a phd very few people appreciate what it involves and people are always ready to give advice, which just makes you feel fabulous when the house is a pig sty, the kids are hungry, dh is late and your supervisor is really trying to explain the finer points of some algorithm to you on the phone!!!!!!!!
In the few weeks prior to beginning my proper writing last summer I really questioned myself and what I was doing and the effect it was going to have on my family....I couldn't afford to not be productive when I got a chance at the computer, because it was so difficult to get any quality time at the computer..if a writing session is going badly , do something different don't waste your time, break things down into small bits (easier said than done) , adding to your reference list is mindless but still something positive and that needs doing....
I feel like I've been really negative but I feel so emotional like the university are going to come round and laugh and say haha you didn't really get it. Its been hanging over me for so long and I can't begin to describe the amazing feeling that I've accomplished it!!!!