Academic writing for parents?

Ideas that seem to be bright, tend to visit me, when I´m near flowing water.

Yesterday morning I was considering about subjects concerning pedagogical training in an institution of higher education (in total 4 credit points). What if ... it would be possible to share knowledge with other PhD or MA/MS students who are also parents? How they use their time? How they share themselves between studies, family (child(ren)) and perhaps job, too? Are there any hints´n´tips about it?

Historically this question hasn´t been an issue. I presume that scientists were mostly men, often bachelors (not only by scientific degree, but also by social status) who´s role wasn´t to take care of the children, household, shopping etc. Traditionally it has been women´s field. In some countries it might be so even now, on the 21st century (and I definitely don´t judge those choices).

But it is quite common to talk about "matching" child(ren) and job in Estonia as the salaries are not that high that only one member of the family (usually the father) could have a job. It gives women higher pressure than it used to (in many families household jobs are still their issue + the daily job - I think some research has even been done on this topic), so every advice and measure about making life a bit easier in this situation is usually welcomed.

Sharing life between studies and offspring (or vice versa) is a similar matter. Perhaps more flexible, though. The locus may vary: it doesn´t have necessarily to be an office where the worker has to stay from 9 to 5. Working at home with a toddler playing nearby is realistic. Some help on babysitting is possible. And of course, academic vacation is also there.

But something is missing. Maybe it´s because of the guilt? Or insecurity? Sharing life between studies and the family is something relatively new so I guess that kind of seminars on this topic would be popular..

During my Master studies I read a book by Roberts, C. M. (2004): The dissertation journey : a practical and comprehensive guide to planning, writing, and defending your dissertation. Of course, it included whole lotta information about usual guidelines on planning the work, on writing different parts of the dissertation etc. But it also had some invaluable tips on motivating oneself, time-sharing, "working smart", fighting excuses etc. I had never seen that kind of information before: most guides about writing dissertation I had read before were about formal issues. But it was the psychological aspect that made that book different. And it helped me to plan and write my Master thesis almost without causing stress (my eldest son was a bit more than a year old when I finished my dissertation). I´m afraid that this is might be an aspect that hasn´t been payed enough attention. So at least a seminar about it would be a realistic idea. Cooperation with people from departments of psychology or education might give results.

And it is just an idea after all :)