Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Parenting

For free parenting resources please check out the Early Years Alliance's Family Corner.

Flip

Original poster

Still doing a PhD?

12 replies

bigsas · 09/03/2010 10:50

Anyone else doing a PhD? there are some messages from a few years back, but I would really like to chat with others doing one now.

I am in my 2nd of 3 years of PhD, have 2 kids (10 and 14) and a job 2 days a week. Feeling a bit demoralised and tired of juggling, but the end kind of coming into sight.

Love to hear from others as I am tired of my young childless fellow students who keep saying they don't know how I do it!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ButterflyEmma · 09/03/2010 11:37

I finished mine almost 5 years ago - with my daughter born in the middle and my son born a week after I finished.

It is tough, but you get through it somehow.

I'm glad I finished it, but I haven't used any of it since! (other than the time management & planning and juggling side of things ;) )

kif · 19/03/2010 14:19

I'm in my first year of doing a PhD.

Although today it's be more accurate to say I'm bunking off after getting an emergency call to take DS to GP with suspected flesh eating bug impetigo and dermatitis. Feel a little guilty, because after two weeks where it's been one illness after another, I didn;t clarify why I'd be away from my desk.

hockeypuck · 26/03/2010 14:42

Hi, I'm just starting my PhD. On year 1 of the 1+3 at the moment.

I have a DD 7 and a DS 3.
I'm also the only one with kids and find that everyone wonders how I do it - I wonder too most of the time!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting Higher education

WibblyBibble · 31/03/2010 00:14

I'm doing a PhD in environmental science- well, I should be finishing it in about three months, but I'm currently on maternity leave with second DD (4 months), so it is going to take a bit longer. Aaaand I am massively stressed about organising childcare when I go back, and asking supervisor for flexible working, etc. Hope yours is working out and you're more organised than me!

issysmilkbottle · 14/05/2010 20:00

i,m about halfway through mine with a ten year old Ds and a six month old dd, its hard and my dh doesn't think its as much of a job as his although I'm funded and expected to do 35 hours a week! We don't use a nursery as dh doesn't trust anyone with dd and no family near either... I do all the housework too and am Knackered!

I have to admit I am jealous of the childfree students!

sunsplash · 27/05/2010 11:51

I'm still struggling through - year five- but the end is in sight and DD should be going to nursery for an extra day which gives me more time! although in some ways it fits in with children it probably also makes it a more isolating experience. off to try and do some writing rather than lurking on mumsnet

doiadmitdefeatorfight · 31/05/2010 16:04

its hard sometimes as sods law you get on a real roll and working well only to have to stop to do a school run, take over childcare etc...

Any suggestions on how to persuade dh that I need childcare i.e. A nursery for dd (6 months) a few mornings/days a week? I feel my Phd although funded like a full time job isn't being taken seriously
....

sunsplash · 01/06/2010 12:26

no good suggestions here just empathy! i had to work up from 2 half days when dd was 6 months and finally we are on 3 days which should make progress a lot quicker. i am not funded but try and approach it as though it is a part-time job - unless you have childcare the phd will take so much longer as you keep working in short chunks losing your arguments and starting afresh each time but i think its hard for others to appreciate

sunnylabsmum · 03/06/2010 20:00

a nursey for your DD at 6 months is the perfect age to start socialisation and stop a clingy child. I did it for 1 day a week at the same age for my DD so I could study for my doctorate. I also made sure that all housework was done to mimimal standards (Same rule now I've finished but hey I'm consistent) and that DD watched/helped so she was included in the process.

Go for childcare and sometimes just go shopping instead as its important to have YOU time

amachori · 09/06/2010 13:12

So glad to hear of others in the same boat. Had never thought of looking on mumsnet for this. I am just finishing my first year of fulltime PhD and dd is nearly 2. Is working out so far, do have childcare - nursery and family alternate. But really want another before the course is complete and don't know if this is very foolish... I know plenty of student parents here but all with one baby, and none with 2. Did any of you with two children think it might not be a sensible option?

doiadmitdefeatorfight · 10/06/2010 21:04

i would say if you have family to support you then 2 wouldnt be that much harder than 1 plus you'll hit the ground running on your career once they start school! My problem is we have no family near so only myself and dh look after dd and its so hard, its always me that defaults to take care of her and its so stressful, dh is so resistant to using a nursery and the cost doesnt help....

amachori · 11/06/2010 12:28

It's hard. I know I'm really lucky to have family around. DH works part-time so he does some, and parents also help out. But nursery is also great. I was worried about sending dd. She started at 15 monts, 2 days, and the first month or so was really hard. But now she absolutely loves it. She talks about it all the time, naming all her friends and carers. She's so confident and sociable now and I think that has a lot to do with it. If you find a nice nursery I think there are lots of benefits. But cost is an issue. Have you looked into student funding? Sometimes university can have pots for things like that?

Flip