Comments on: Motherhood, the Elephant (the book) http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com combining motherhood with careers in the sciences:success is how you define it Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:15:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Emily http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-732 Emily Tue, 18 Aug 2009 18:10:21 +0000 http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-732 Hi Gumgirl, you definitely are not alone. I hope the book helps. I have similar memories of being in the lab with my infant son and feeling like I could do it all. And some days I could. But, I eventually opted for part-time work. It hasn't always been easy to sustain a career this way - and now that the kids are somewhat grown (now ages 13 and 15) I'm glad I've hung on to the career. Did I loose something? Maybe. I did love lab work and discovery. What a feeling with you know you are the first to pull together and interpret some obscure bit of information. On the other hand, as a consultant and writer - I still get to pull together information, sometimes in novel ways - and I love to do that as well. The downside -- it's definitely not a secure way to work - it takes a good deal of effort to keep in the game. Hi Gumgirl, you definitely are not alone. I hope the book helps. I have similar memories of being in the lab with my infant son and feeling like I could do it all. And some days I could. But, I eventually opted for part-time work. It hasn’t always been easy to sustain a career this way – and now that the kids are somewhat grown (now ages 13 and 15) I’m glad I’ve hung on to the career. Did I loose something? Maybe. I did love lab work and discovery. What a feeling with you know you are the first to pull together and interpret some obscure bit of information. On the other hand, as a consultant and writer – I still get to pull together information, sometimes in novel ways – and I love to do that as well. The downside — it’s definitely not a secure way to work – it takes a good deal of effort to keep in the game.

]]> By: gumgirl http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-731 gumgirl Mon, 17 Aug 2009 17:08:13 +0000 http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-731 What a classic picture on the cover. It reminds me when I was finishing my Masters degree in Biology, how I would have my 12 month old on one hip, and my multi-channel pippet in the other. I too had to take maternity leave and stop my research for my degree. I had to take my daughter to the lab several times, giving her plastic tubes, and entertaining her with blown up blue gloves. Eventhough those were very difficult times, I treasure the memory for its insane duality. Super momma in the lab, conducting important research whilst toddler toddles around the lab. "I can do it all" I thought. Well now 3 years later and a new baby boy, I realize I cannot do it all, and being back at work, I am torn. Wishing I was home with my children. "Why am I here", I find myself asking? Everyone I talk to says I would be crazy to quit my job, in such a horrible economic time, I make good money and hours are flexible. They dont understand the deep inner pain I feel, the longing to hold my babies throughout the day, it is too the point to be distracting. Thank you oh Thank you for writing this book, I am going to read it as soon as I can get my hands on it. I know I am not alone in this science mommy thing, but I feel it sometimes. What a classic picture on the cover. It reminds me when I was finishing my Masters degree in Biology, how I would have my 12 month old on one hip, and my multi-channel pippet in the other. I too had to take maternity leave and stop my research for my degree. I had to take my daughter to the lab several times, giving her plastic tubes, and entertaining her with blown up blue gloves. Eventhough those were very difficult times, I treasure the memory for its insane duality. Super momma in the lab, conducting important research whilst toddler toddles around the lab. “I can do it all” I thought. Well now 3 years later and a new baby boy, I realize I cannot do it all, and being back at work, I am torn. Wishing I was home with my children. “Why am I here”, I find myself asking? Everyone I talk to says I would be crazy to quit my job, in such a horrible economic time, I make good money and hours are flexible. They dont understand the deep inner pain I feel, the longing to hold my babies throughout the day, it is too the point to be distracting. Thank you oh Thank you for writing this book, I am going to read it as soon as I can get my hands on it. I know I am not alone in this science mommy thing, but I feel it sometimes.

]]> By: red high heel shoes http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-652 red high heel shoes Sun, 14 Jun 2009 09:55:49 +0000 http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-652 YAA Adding this to my bookmarks. Thank You YAA Adding this to my bookmarks. Thank You

]]> By: The Center » Women in Chemistry http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-428 The Center » Women in Chemistry Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:45:29 +0000 http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-428 [...] recent books, Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory and Who’s Afraid of Marie Curie, detail women’s experiences in the physical sciences. The books [...] [...] recent books, Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory and Who’s Afraid of Marie Curie, detail women’s experiences in the physical sciences. The books [...]

]]> By: “Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory” « Feminist Chemists http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-299 “Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory” « Feminist Chemists Wed, 29 Oct 2008 02:00:00 +0000 http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-299 [...] is a great new book, entitled “Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory,” which was published recently by Cornell University Press.  This book is essentially a collection [...] [...] is a great new book, entitled “Motherhood, the Elephant in the Laboratory,” which was published recently by Cornell University Press.  This book is essentially a collection [...]

]]> By: Julie Schwedock http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-253 Julie Schwedock Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:46:40 +0000 http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-253 What a wonderful idea for a book! I also want to say hello to Pia Abola, whom I met briefly while she was pregnant. Great to see you as a contributor to this book Pia. I've got 2 kids, and currently work in biotech. I have fully lived the juggling of the sick kids and the midnight experiments. Now that they are older, life is a little easier. Though things were tough at times, I am so glad to have them in my life. -Julie What a wonderful idea for a book! I also want to say hello to Pia Abola, whom I met briefly while she was pregnant. Great to see you as a contributor to this book Pia.

I’ve got 2 kids, and currently work in biotech. I have fully lived the juggling of the sick kids and the midnight experiments. Now that they are older, life is a little easier. Though things were tough at times, I am so glad to have them in my life.
-Julie

]]> By: Andrea Kalfoglou http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-58 Andrea Kalfoglou Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:19:43 +0000 http://sciencemoms.wordpress.com/motherhood-the-elephant-women-scientists-speak-out/#comment-58 This was such a fabulous project. I am honored to have been a part of it, and am so thrilled with the result that I bought 10 copies of the book to share with my colleagues and friends. Andrea Kalfoglou This was such a fabulous project. I am honored to have been a part of it, and am so thrilled with the result that I bought 10 copies of the book to share with my colleagues and friends.

Andrea Kalfoglou

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