tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821259194776849231.post2407033000372024652..comments2023-04-25T23:54:42.948-04:00Comments on Theology PhD Mom: Doing it all? Not a chance....Theology PhD Momhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06088953060303425283noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821259194776849231.post-82096922028360279472011-02-02T10:01:49.035-05:002011-02-02T10:01:49.035-05:00motheringspirit - welcome, and now I've found ...motheringspirit - welcome, and now I've found your blog as well - thanks! I think you make a great point and it was one I overlooked, but yes - DH and I do hire help. We have had our 3 year old in full time day care since she was 9 months old, and will have our newest one in day care at about 8 months or so. For others, that kind of help may be in hiring someone to clean, or in ordering groceries online and the like.Theology PhD Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088953060303425283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821259194776849231.post-38959704235027754302011-01-31T23:46:05.876-05:002011-01-31T23:46:05.876-05:00Great blog - glad I stumbled across it! I would ad...Great blog - glad I stumbled across it! I would add: do not be ashamed to hire help. I think too many women (especially first-time mothers or those who are trying to balance part-time and/or flexible work schedules with mothering) feel that they must be able to do it all: care for children, clean the house, run the household, and work outside the home. I fell into this trap, and it wasn't until my son was six months old that I realized I needed to hire a regular babysitter in order to balance working from home part-time (in theology) with caring for him. Although child care can be expensive, there are cost-effective alternatives, and I believe it's a healthy priority for my other vocations besides mothering - my marriage and my work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821259194776849231.post-29641731755293647472011-01-28T10:55:01.759-05:002011-01-28T10:55:01.759-05:00Amber - yes! This is not limited to people with c...Amber - yes! This is not limited to people with children. First of all, no one can "do it all" and second - fur babies need attention too. Prioritizing is very important.<br /><br />Blessings to you and yours!Theology PhD Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06088953060303425283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821259194776849231.post-39833415533783347072011-01-26T20:00:32.651-05:002011-01-26T20:00:32.651-05:00I love it! This is good advice whether you're...I love it! This is good advice whether you're a parent or not, which I am not (at least not yet...) Since I am not a mother to human children, I do have three fur-babies that require attention, walks, socialization, etc. I think, though, the point is that you have to find your priorities and maybe the house doesn't have to be at the top of the list.<br /><br />Thanks for this posting, I think I needed this bit of advice today!Amberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07976910920926247846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1821259194776849231.post-31311218476022401922011-01-25T20:21:20.380-05:002011-01-25T20:21:20.380-05:00Great list! I would add: write a blog! And, in reg...Great list! I would add: write a blog! And, in regard to your spouse comment, I think part of it is being "possessive" of your time, but in a good way. My husband and I make out a new schedule at the beginning of every semester. Now since he's the one with a job and I'm "just" writing a dissertation, raising three kids, and keeping the house (in other words, NOT bringing in any income), it could be easy for me to say, well, it's not fair for me to take time away from his work.<br /><br />But I don't think that. Because #1, my work is important. So if we agree I get all day Friday, I get all day Friday (ok, emergencies like overdue book reviews accepted), despite the fact I have no pressing deadlines. And #2, it's important for HIM to spend time with the kids. They deserve a good dad, and he deserves the time to be it.<br /><br />The other thing that has really made my life possible is embracing the Catholic attitude toward mortification. Sometimes I have long, hard days with the kids. And I can offer those up. Sometimes I don't want to work (just read my friend's blog!) after those long, hard days, but I make myself. Theologian mom struggles happen. I can either protest or make the most out of them. I TRY to do the latter. Even if I never make it in academia, I hope to make it to heaven this way.Theologian Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16919247935256202972noreply@blogger.com