Easing the transition to parenthood for graduate students: Opinion

Postsecondary institutions should provide more time for graduate students who become parents during their studies to adapt to their new family role, writes Victoria Delaney. Delaney describes her experience balancing her life as a new mom while trying to continue courses and meet supervisor expectations. The author encourages grad students who are about to become parents to think about when and how they will re-engage with academia after the baby is born, and recommends sketching out best-and worst-case scenarios for their collaborators before the baby is born; assume that challenges will arise; and find three or four people who can provide them with effective support. Delaney also encourages professors to be understanding with new mothers and recommends that university administrators ease the transition with clear, flexible options for re-engagement. Inside Higher Ed (Acct. Req.) Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.