Writing a Master's Thesis

How are you doing? 

Are you working from home while juggling the kids, or are you back at work?

I'm working on my MFA in writing thesis, which is due on January, 12th. 

Yes, I'm feeling the pressure.

It's the new year, but it feels like we've been in limbo this past week. Most people that I know have kids. They are relaxing at home and waiting for the new semester to start. Some parents, like my husband, are already back at work. It's as if the holidays never happened.

Christmas seems like an eon ago, even though it was just last week. My kids have enjoyed the holidays, but it's getting to that point where they want to go back to normal. Our day-to-day organized chaos of work and school.

There is a certain comfort in being in a normal routine. For kids, the school semester provides a set schedule. It comes with a tonne of extra-curricular activities, like sports, clubs, scouting and adventures. 

For the past eighteen months, I've been working on my Master's in writing. This has taken me to college campus two nights a week. I've managed doing it on top of a full-time teacher job and raising my kids. 

It's been a rollercoaster ride that's for sure. But those of you who know me, also know how dedicated and determined I am to become a better writer.

While working on my Master's, I've been writing my seventh novel called Restoring Hope. I'm turning in eight chapters from the book as part of my thesis and I'm almost done.

In order to gain a Master's degree, students must support their work with research and that's what I'm finalizing right now. 

For the past six months, I have been working independently on my manuscript. Since this is my seventh novel, I'm not new to the writing process and so I'm enjoying myself.

Being an author can be lonely, but there are many sources of support for writers out there. 

So, how do you manage grad school with a full-time job? (You might wonder).

Well, discipline and a great deal of planning, that's for sure.

I keep a calendar on our fridge, which the whole family updates. I figures that everyone raids the fridge at one point or another. I have two growing boys and they are always hungry. In the few seconds it takes to get some juice or whatever, my family take in what's next.

Do you have a calendar to keep your busy life in check?

My kids like to draw little emoticons around their events, so they stand out. It makes them easy to remember for all of us - even at a glance. I might put an "M" for mommy, so that I know it's my turn to pick up from x that day. 

Having a family and working takes careful planning in my house because we are all busy. I encourage my kids to try everything at least once before they knock it down. 

This makes my job harder as a parent because I have to drive them everywhere, but the way I see it, my kids are never bored.

My husband and I both work full-time, so we certainly never get bored. But, in all the chaos of normal family life, I plan time-outs. 

I call them time-outs because it's a time for everyone to stop. Sometimes, we watch a movie and lay like broccoli on the sofa. (We all like that one).

Other times, we go out and do an activity together, like a hike or a swim. We have busy lives, but we are never too busy to be together and do something fun.

Do you make time for your family and have fun together?

Right now, my family is still out of routine since the semester has not started. We go back to school on Monday. 

The kids are at home, playing with their friends. My husband is working from home, and is racing between conference calls from around the world. His job takes him across time-zones every day. 

The thing about the holidays and being out of routine is that the kids get bored easily. My kids are used to doing activities and sports every day and expect the holidays to be the same. 

I'm surrounded by noise, but I have to concentrate and right now my kids call me "boring." I've shut myself in our little room where I can spread out my research, books and journals. Here I can spend bursts of my time doing what I love - write. 

In ten days, I will go back to being "fun mommy" again, but for now the pressure is on to complete my Master's degree.

Wish me luck!

My name is Lizzy. I'm a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

Support your fellow writer:

https://ko-fi.com/elizabe69245484

Here are a few links to my articles:

5 Minutes Christmas Peace

https://medium.com/be-reaching-hearts/5-minutes-christmas-peace-64c19c9d0165

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/its-beginning-to-look-a-lot-like-christmas-daf1fa510807

Looking for a Change?

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/looking-for-a-change-f391e85abbd7

A Search for Identity

https://medium.com/beyond-lines/a-search-for-identity-893df7c970c2

Are You Searching for Peace?

https://medium.com/illumination/are-you-searching-for-peace-cd54d76231c8

Are You Dealing With Burnout?

https://medium.com/illumination/are-you-dealing-with-burnout-374f774141b4