Ph.D. Mom - dissertation writing

[Anonymous]

Check out this funny not-too-serious blog on trying to finish a thesis while having kids/being pregnant too.
http://pregnantphd.blogspot.com/2010/11/points-of-clarification.html

[Anonymous]

I haven't finished yet - I am in the final stretch with a toddler. I am finishing a year later than most of my cohort. Here are a few of my tips.

I used a writing group for the proposal writing stage, but not the dissertation chapters. I have regular chapter completion deadlines (some self-imposed, some due to committee members) and REALLY try to meet those, even if it means staying up all night some nights or saying something is done that I might prefer to do more work on. I think at this point a writing group would slow me down. I just want it to be good enough for the committee. It will be revised for publication either way.

I restructured my dissertation outline from my original plan to meet other obligations I had so that the chapters would mirror the things I already HAD to prepare. One chapter will come from a conference presentation, one chapter will come from my job talk.

I also do work on weekends - I have part time child care. I dedicate one weekend day, but also a day for family time and try not to work every weekend. Sometimes I work late at night to compensate. Some sleep is lost, but it is worth it. With full time child care, I think you could get it done without weekend time and focused work. I probably don't work more than 40 hours in a regular (non-deadline) week.

Make promises to yourself NOT to read the internet (like I am now) or do household chores and dedicate time only to the writing/analysis that you need to get done.

Set smaller deadlines in addition to the big ones (mostly to structure your time) and keep them posted in a visible place where you do your work (desktop, calendar, etc.).

I decreased the number of articles I would usually be focused on in addition to the dissertation. IT is a tough choice between publishing and dissertation productivity, but I decided it was absolutely time to finish. I couldn't bear another year. Most of all, realize that it is hard and requires a lot of sacrifice and dedication. Give yourself a break sometimes.

[Anonymous]

As someone who only needs a BA in my current field of work, I just wanted to chime in and say you all are AMAZING. Really, major kudos and back pats and thumbs up and the whole 9 yards. People who work 2 jobs, people who go to school and work, people whose spouses are deployed, single parents--you keep going b/c you must, I know, but this is just a shoutout from someone who hasn't been there and can't imagine being there. Well done.

[Anonymous]

Yes get up early & Hire help when you need it and don't feel bad, if not an aupair, hire a grandmother type or good kid that you can literally adopt so to speak- to come often enough that they become like family to you and your child. Someone who will be there throughout child life. This way you can work in your house in separate room and can come down for 15 minute/half an hour playbreaks and it's not an ordeal to the child. Good luck, you'll get it done!