Ahh. I don't know about that one am afraid. Good luck!!!!

is it the open comp you have gone thru?

That's good advice.

Thanks for your responses!! My PhD argument seems to be developing in sections... each one is to be presented in its own discrete chapter using discourse analysis to present a particular 'voice', then I round it all up after my fieldwork findings. So I want to write up because I won't have these ideas next year - I will definitely forget them and anyway, how anyone holds a whole PhD in their head and splurges it out I don't know! I definitely expect to change them, to make them better as I get better at writing and get news insights but am glad to hear that on the whole this is a good thing to do! yay!

I think my post was a bit unclear. Basically, has anyone written up chapters as they have gone along, and then just revised during the 'writing up phase' or do you tend to write it all in one go? Is all 'old work' generally rubbish or useful? When I am away on fieldwork, can I count on coming home and being three chapters down - or am I kidding myself and will have to re-write from scratch?

thanks!

True smilodon. I think your conclusion is so representative of this whole debate: until you have a child you cannot gauge how it will affect you life. Us non-parents can wax lyrical/negative about having one til the cows come home - but until you have one...

yup yup. I don't think retaining a sense of self is anything to feel guilty about. It is all relative what one is 'giving' to their child. I, happily, think that going to nursery and being sociable and seeing their mum out and about and achieving is as important as whether they are there for breakfast every single day.

I do want to do both though. I find working out all the timings and maximising my womb/work balance exhausting.

Hmmph. Better get back to work now...

Hey all

I was wondering about writing up. I am in my second year and have one chapter done, am completing another and in two months will have another (methodology). When I come back from fieldwork I will do analysis (social sciences, a bit postmodern). THEN will I see these chapters and think how useless they are and have to toally re-write them? My sup seems very pleased with my progress and the writing so far so I take this with encouragement. BUT am I being overly optimistic? Or could these chaps actually be useful and not need too much re-jigging (apart from lang, new books and arguments etc)?? I wonder where I am in the scheme of things...

Any help from writers-uppers gratefully appreciated...

I was replying to Juno's post btw. The replies are flying too thick and fast!!

I couldn't imagine solely being a full time mother. I think I would go a bit mad.

I agree, but they were getting a bit personal rather than relating to the OP. No offence intended, it sounded harsher than I meant.

Horses for courses chaps. We are all in unique situations and can only generalise on here with broad pieces of advice or opinions. To say you *couldn't* present or go to a conference with a baby or pregnant is very general and your feelings. I certainly could?! Having a baby won't stop me being me or doing my PhD. We all have different feelings about motherhood and childcare and perhaps this isn't the place to air them if they aren't necessarily helpful...

Let's all have babies and PhDs.

I have heard all to often though that your brain turns to mush when you have a baby though, for ages! Mine is mush most of the time anyway it doesn't need help... I think I worry that hving a baby will mean I won't want my PhD any more. I will just want to coo all day and grow veggies and more children.

Thanks for your wee message Smilodon. I have every intention of having one next year and another baking away coming submission... Then I will be two down and ready for the working world! (Maybe...!) Sup will just have to be amazed and proud of my will and ability to complete. We are multi-taskers after all!

My only advice is thus:

Only do it if you think it will be worth it afterwards, or are funded so it is like a job you love.

Only do it if you are really keen on your topic. Or you just won't finish it - it can be incredibly tedious and pleasure in the topic is the only thing that can make you get out of bed some days.

Don't just do it because you were offered it. So what?!

Good luck!

I am in the same position as you really. I am nearly half way through though. I started this PhD knowing I was going to start a family at some point during it - or I would never have done it. I really love my PhD, it is the best job in the world. But I have to have children, and as I am funded this time seems best as I get 6 months paid maternity leave and to work at home. My partner will be hands on too - he is going to go part time but has his own businesses anyway... I could never do a PhD and look after a baby full time and he be out at work all day. But at the same time - if you want it badly enough, anything is possible. You can't predict the future.

What I would say is to leave it till after fieldwork if you are going away...

My (male) Sup is going to have a fit though... He has told me not to get pregnant because you are so much less likely to complete. Eek!

I nearly did a kayaking course in March!! How funny! It is a hugely pleasant activity, I am envious that you are buying one!