Thanks for your time guys! I am so grateful! it is just great to hear your stories and experiences and not to feel alone, and to see how you did it/are doing it. I seem to be pretty much the same and it is reassuring to see that you all do things differently... Just working as and when. And I really appreciate comments that you didn't want your babies to see you as quitters. That is the last thing I want - I want my son to have a strong mama :0)

I will buck up and get on. no more moping!

Thank you so much
x sp

Hello everyone

I wonder if I could ask for some help/advice/an ear...

I am now in the writing up phase of my PhD... soo very nearly there... and have a 15 month old at home. I *so* thought i could have it all but am seriously struggling. My DP works 70 hour weeks on his own business so can't really help me and I have two days a week when my wean is with a childminder. I try and work evenings/nap times but am failing to meet my deadlines and am terrified and well, generally feel so very guilty all the time. I am also ESRC funded so feel a huge obligation to Uni and my Supervisor to finish soon and finish well. But I am so stressed and pressured I can't seem to work at all but stare out of the window or well, cry at the moment!

I would love to hear anyone's stories of how they coped or are coping with a baby and PhD? Or even to start a thread where we can help each other. I think it is really hard - but maybe that is just me not coping very well?

Thanks for listening folks
sp:p