The graph is about right for an average monthly view. If you asked my hubby, who kindly listens each night about my studies, he might argue differently. Just like raising a child a PhD has so many highs and lows. Even on a daily, minute by minute time-scale my feelings towards my studies alters. The graph really should look more like the one below. This graph has been inspired by the TED talk given by Rufus Griscom and Alisa Volkman on Let's talk parenting taboos. Any parent will understand the ups and downs, just like any third year PhD student. Should we really be talking more about it. Would you really tell someone how hard parenting is and expect them to try it. It's just the same as telling a potential PhD candidate that the PhD will leave you crying in the gutter. I like the truth but sometime ignorance is bliss allowing people to step outside their comfort zone.
Maybe I should combine both the parenting graph and my Phd graph. Hmmm scary concept, the graph would look like chaos.
2 comments:
Hi Rowena,
This is a fraught subject! I remember being told when my babies were little that these were 'the best years of my life' Didn't believe it but now get the feeling behind it. I used to think that if these were the 'best' what hope was there for any sleep, peace, financial security, making a phone call or eating a hot meal in the future!Just wait until you emerge from PhD land, you will be SO glad you did the hard yards, it will be smooth sailing all the way!
Have a lovely day,
Vicki
PS please, no combined graph!
Hi Rowena,
Me again, I dont' know whether to answer comments on my comment page thingy or on kind commenter's blog so decided to answer directly.Re the teenagers hanging with mum...I've got girls, so easy to connect with them as we like the same things mostly, however I do have a son who is 26 now but when he was 16 I was the last person he'd be spending a day in a gallery with! Up until he was 14 yes, but from then on it's all about the mates pretty much. Although we did do the motox campaign with him which had me holding bikes in the blazing sun whilst clutch handles were changed, sitting on those chairs you can't get out of listening to the roar of the thumpers and eating dust throughout the day...very bonding...
You'll be fine,
Vickixx
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