by Launi » Mon Nov 08, 2004 1:13 pm
Dear Claudine,
Somehow the discussion has drifted from your original question of motherhood and career management, but I will attempt to refocus the discussion back to you.
I'm glad you raised this question, because I also from time to time worry about how will children impact my success as a scientist. I am currently starting my 3rd year as a postdoc and recently had a son this past January. I have learned from others and my own experience that you CAN be a good mom and still have a great career. It depends on your definition of "success" and what you feel is priority for your life. My #1 priority is family, so I tend to limit the days that I must stay late in the lab to an absolute minimum. Does this impact my productivity? YES!! Will it take me a bit longer to publish than the childless people in my lab??? Maybe...maybe not. We are really not much different than the person who is childless, but may have to care for an elderly parent.
Basically, everyone has "something" that requires their time outside of Science, some more than others. I've found that it's not always the science that's difficult, but how to manage and balance your life outside of science that can leave you sleepless at night. I can offer you a few suggestions of what I have learned:
1. Don't try to do it all by yourself. Use friends and family, available. I am blessed to have a retired mother-in-law who looks after my son whenever needed. Perhaps you may have a person whom your trust in your circle to assist in babysitting duties?
3. Find other scientist like yourself with children for support. If possible, select a supervisor/advisor with children and similar family values. I have one and it has made ALL the difference in my transition into motherhood.
3. And most importantly, as someone in this thread mentioned, you must be organized, focused and come to lab ready to work. I've found that I've become more productive after the baby than before as a result of setting weekly goals and deadlines.
I'll end here. But if you'd like to talk more, feel free to email me. Perhaps there may be a "scientific mom" support group forum that someone knows about out there.
Hope this was helpful,
Launi