Melody S

Description

I am the mother of a beautiful little girl, as well as a full-time PhD student and sessional instructor. This blog is my space to explore parenting ideas, to vent, and to chronicle my journey with trying to juggle motherhood and academia.


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MY BLOGS

  • Diapers 'n' Dissertations http://diapersndissertations.blogspot.ca/

    When my daughter was 6 weeks old, I decided to start a blog, in order to chronicle the challenges of trying to balance motherhood with completing and defending my PhD dissertation. I hope that this can be a place to explore ideas, vent (sometimes), and open up a discourse on the joys and difficulties of balancing family and academia.

LATEST ARTICLES ( 32 )

  • Cute/Gross Toddler Activities

    At 21 months, McKenna is a busy, active, and curious toddler, like most kids her age. I try hard not to be a helicopter parent and stifle her curiosity. Read more

    Posted on 25 September 2013 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Parenting Philosophies

    The other day, I picked up my latest in a long line of parenting books - Kids are Worth It, by Barbara Coloroso. So far, I am agreeing with a lot of what I am... Read more

    Posted on 03 May 2013 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Reminiscing About My Imperfect, Completely Unnatural Birth

    I have posted about this before (see McKenna's Birth Story), but the past couple of months, it has been weighing heavily on my mind. I had a shitty birth... Read more

    Posted on 07 February 2013 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Christmas 2012

    McKenna's birthday falls a couple of weeks before Christmas. Being her first birthday, she wasn't overly excited about it, and she already has more than a lot o... Read more

    Posted on 03 January 2013 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • My 2013 Resolutions

    1. You know that old saying "Shit or get off the pot"? Well, I resolve to shit. What I mean by that is that I resolve to stop whining about wanting to lose... Read more

    Posted on 03 January 2013 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Hitting Kids

    Research suggests that over 90% of American children between the ages of 2 and 5 are subjected to spanking and other forms of corporal punishment (Straus, 2010). Read more

    Posted on 21 December 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Ambition Gone?

    Today was a bit of a strange day for me. For the past 11 months I have been trying to juggle being a full-time mom with also being a full-time student, lecturer... Read more

    Posted on 22 November 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • "The Vaccine Book" by Dr. Sears

    I have just finished reading The Vaccine Book (Sears, 2007), just in time for McKenna's scheduled 12-month vaccinations. In NL, babies get vaccinations at 2,... Read more

    Posted on 14 November 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Sick as An... Owl?

    Sick An... Owl?

    Once a week McKenna and I meet up with some other moms and babies for a play date. With today being the day before Halloween, the babies all came dressed in... Read more

    Posted on 30 October 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • "I'll Take a Pina Colada and a Pregnancy Test, Please"

    Today, I came across a news article discussing the decision of a pub in Minnesota to sell pregnancy tests out of a vending machine in the women's washroom. Read more

    Posted on 19 September 2012 FAMILY

  • My Fall Wishlist

    Fall Wishlist

    White camisole with black bow - Smart SetBow earrings and necklace - Smart SetColoured belts - Joe FreshBlack heels - AldoBlack lace shirt - Smart SetGray... Read more

    Posted on 27 August 2012 LIFESTYLE

  • Night Weaning

    At almost exactly 4 months of age, McKenna hit the dreaded 4 - month sleep regression. She refused to nap, wouldn't go down at night without a fuss and woke... Read more

    Posted on 21 August 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Separation

    In my previous post, I mentioned that we are on vacation. On Saturday McKenna and I arrived in Ontario, after spending three weeks with my family in New... Read more

    Posted on 08 August 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Summer Holidays - Part I

    As a grad student I have the flexibility of taking time off pretty much whenever I want, provided I am not teaching at the time. Read more

    Posted on 08 August 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • How to Lose a Job in 10 Ways

    Recently, I posted an ad online, looking for a babysitter for McKenna. I was clear in my requirements, as well as the hours and rate of pay. Read more

    Posted on 04 July 2012 SELF EXPRESSION

  • A "good" Baby

    My daughter is amazing. She is funny, loving, sweet, wise, tenacious, beautiful, and an all-around happy child. She makes me proud to be her mother each and... Read more

    Posted on 01 June 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Getting Back At It

    I have wanted to teach and do research for a long time. A very long time. When I found out that I was expecting, I swore up and down that it would not slow me... Read more

    Posted on 17 May 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • A Well-Traveled Baby

    On Sunday, McKenna and I arrived home, after 3 weeks away from home - first to visit her paternal grandparents in Ontario, and then to visit my family in NB. Read more

    Posted on 11 May 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • Breastfeeding at Work?

    A fellow mom recently pointed me towards the breastfeeding inclusion policy at the university. Apparently, not only am I allowed to BF McKenna while at work, bu... Read more

    Posted on 03 April 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING

  • A Rant

    I recently came across a guest post on a parenting website, entitled "5 reasons not to let your child sleep with you". Intrigued, I clicked on it, to see what... Read more

    Posted on 25 March 2012 FAMILY, PARENTING