Having a baby is one of the best things that can happen to a person. However, it can also become an obstacle on the way to personal or professional development. An obstacle, sure, but not an insurmountable one because there are ways to instill personal growth into parenting. Writing a Ph.D. thesis is a time-consuming and challenging task even for those among us who have nobody else to take care of except themselves.
For those who are looking forward to a doctor’s degree and have a newborn in their arms, we have this list of seven tips that should facilitate the Ph.D. thesis writing process.
Organize work with your partner
Changing diapers takes little time and we can do it mechanically after a while. On the other hand, taking your baby for a stroll can take a while. Talk to your partner and if possible, negotiate that you take on the nappy time in exchange for baby strolls, bath times, or some other time-consuming obligations. It might not seem as much, but when you combine the free time you get, it’s enough to deal with much of your thesis work.
Utilize baby’s wakeup calls
In the first couple of months, babies wake up at night every couple of hours, which we can use to take notes or generate ideas. Our brain works better when we’re just awake, according to scientific research, so we should not avoid using this boosted sharpness. Use these frequent wakeup calls to generate fresh ideas or create short notes and reminders about things you should take care of in the morning.
Use audiobooks
Using audiobooks allows you to do your research while feeding your newborn, changing diapers, even when you’re putting your baby to sleep. Your hands will remain free while you do your research this way, and you will avoid making noise if you use headphones. Also, you don’t have to spend time going to the library if you simply download digitizes material.
Baby monitors
Use a baby monitor to watch over your baby while it plays or rests so you could work on your thesis in your study. Sometimes it’s not possible to stay focused on your work with a kid around you playing or getting distracted or woken up by the noise you make while writing your Ph.D. thesis. With a baby monitor, you’ll know if your baby needs you when it needs you.
Hire a professional
If taking care of a newborn and writing your thesis is too much for you to handle on your own, try getting some professional assistance. Contact a PhD dissertation writing service> that you trust and ask for help with your thesis. Many online writing services provide professional assistance that includes everything from proofreading and editing your content to writing the entire piece from the scratch.
Work and feed
Feeding your baby takes a significant portion of your day, so it’s useful to utilize that time for your thesis work. For those who can’t use a laptop while feeding the baby, mobile phones allow comfortable note-taking, research, or even proofreading. You can do simple tasks like formatting and editing your work while breastfeeding to save time.
Practice “Stay and support method”
Lucy Wolfe, a sleep coach, and book author proposes a parenting method that allows babies to fall asleep on their own. This method allows parents to put their babies to sleep when they’re already tired but not asleep. The parents would stay on the side and support the baby to fall asleep on its own until it does. It might take a few months, but when your baby learns to fall asleep on its own, you’ll have more time for your Ph.D. thesis.
Conclusion
Parenting a newborn is fun and exciting as much as it’s tiresome and exhausting. Many things we did before the baby came become more challenging when the baby arrives but that doesn’t mean we have to give up on those things. Careful planning and organizing your time help overcome even the most difficult obstacles. We hope these pieces of advice will help you reach your academic goals and remain a happy and fulfilled parent.
p.s. Related posts:
Picture Books That Celebrate Working Together!
Why Get a Degree in Psychology?
All About the Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program
For Stay-at-Home Moms Only: The Complete Guide to Returning to Work
Best Jobs for Stay-at-Home Parents Planning to Re-Enter the Workforce
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Great blog post