Hi Simone, The choice here is yours but, you know, if you were able to wait even a few more months before taking the little one into the field it would be a better/easier scenario for all involved. The time goes by very very quickly. Perhaps this season, if you absolutely HAVE to collect your data, you could have a family member take care of junior, or put her in child care with bottles of formula/breastmilk. I'm not sure about the US, but child care in Australia has been fantastic for my little one (she's now 18 months) and very reasonably priced.
Like I said, it's your decision, but it does 'seem' from the outside that it may be good for you to take a little more time thinking about where your priorities lie (I'm sorry if that's the wrong assumption). Again, I'm not sure about the situation in the US, but you really shouldn't feel pressured to get your work done at such extremes just to move forward in your career. I know there are a lot of older female scientists out there with these kinds of 'hard core' stories but most of them I find very unbalanced (with great careers) and with kids who have grown up with a fair bit of resentment (and other issues). It's really up to our generation of mothers (and fathers) to change this type of impossible and sub-standard expectation of parents. Who is expecting you to go out and do this work with a 3-month-old? i had to make a few small sideways shifts, but I have managed to find an exceptional lab who is at the cutting-edge of their field, yet because the lab is run by young-ish parents they have realistic expectations of their staff - and we produce excellent work. Is there no such support for you or for any colleagues you know? After all, it won't be long before you and your cohort will be the ones running labs and making the rules. Finally, have you thought about your physical health here? Weight bearing and hiking for long periods of time so soon after giving birth can leave you with incontinence/prolapse as young as 45 (if you had a natural birth and especially if you decide to have another child). And can compromise the repair of your abdominal muscles. Have a look at the stats for these types of complications. They have rapidly been on the increase in younger women since the Eigthies. Perhaps I am projecting my own experiences onto you here - and if so, just ignore the above. It may be that you feel that this is how you are happiest - and the pressure is coming from you. If so, I hope you can find a way to keep everyone happy and healthy (and dry) and I wish you lots of luck. All the best, Liz On Mon, Apr 9, 2012 at 2:03 AM, Simone S. Whitecloud < simone.s.whitecl...@dartmouth.edu> wrote: > I'd love to pick up some pointers on how to bring my 3 month old into the > field. I work in the alpine zone, so cool temperatures, wind and rain are > the issue. Any favorite gear items you found helpful? I'm already finding > she is totally soaked by the time we get to the peak from my own sweat. > Know > where to buy wool onesies? Tips on packing out dirty diapers? > > Thanks for your input, > Simone Whitecloud > PhD Candidate, McPeek Lab > Dartmouth College > -- Liz Pryde PhD Candidate (off-campus) School of Earth and Environmental Sciences James Cook University Thornbury, Melbourne
