Mother of 4 starting a PhD study

Well I am starting this blog to track my progress towards to my PhD in Computer Science degree, and help me to motivate me to finish the degree in time. I hope I will happily balance my life and study as I am a mother of 4 kids and I would not want my kids to be neglected by my full time study.

Call me MJ, because my full name will scare you. I would absolutely love to read your advise or suggestions. Or just share your idea with me if you like. As I am just starting the degree, I sure need a lot of learning and motivation. I hope some busy mothers will find some inspiration from here too.

I twice started the PhD study over 10  years ago, and decided not to pursue. 1st time I moved to Australia and left my study. The second time, I preferred to work as a software developer over being a PhD student. The reasons were:

• Financial reason: I and my husband started a mortgage to settle down in Australia as I received my permanent residency in Australia as a skilled migrant. Can you imagine transitioning from being a full fee paying international student into a permanent resident? Well I felt rich.
• Career reason: I want to work in the IT industry to see the purpose of my previous studies, because I was a PhD student right after my Master degree.
• Emotional reason: I want to have a work experience and work environment to fulfil my checklist. I felt weird that I had many diplomas but no experience.

Now I am going to start my PhD education again and hopefully I will finish it this time. PhD study idea have been always lingering in my mind for all these years. I'm doing it now again in order to:

• Have NO REGRET later in my life and get rid of 1 of my what-if thoughts.
• Show my kids that everything is possible if you work for it. Good luck to me!

Be positive and kind to all,
MJ