Professoring While Parenting
Support for faculty parents of young children
During the peak years of the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty parents of young children reported a disproportionate loss of research time – the effects of which we have yet to fully grasp. Beyond questions of scholarly productivity, however, faculty parents – especially those who became parents during the pandemic – have reported continued struggles with the impacts of lockdown and isolation. The close support networks that parents of young children might depend on with friends and colleagues who share or have shared their experiences have been difficult to come by.
The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence and the Emory Caregiver Support Program in the Work-Life Resource Center are teaming up to provide a “hybrid” menu of support programs for faculty parents of young children. The menu features the following.
First Tuesday Zoom Support Group
Beginning May 3, we will begin hosting a monthly noon support group for Emory faculty parents via Zoom the first Tuesday of every month. To join the monthly online support group contact Mary Ellen Eady.
Third Tuesday In-Person Campus Walking Group
Beginning May 17, every third Tuesday, we will host a monthly on-campus, in-person walking group for parents. The group will meet at 1:00 pm on the Student Center plaza and walk for 30-45 minutes. To join the monthly walking group, contact Allison Adams.
Emory Work-Life Resources for Children and Family
If you are experiencing an immediate care issue/need, please contact Mary Ellen Eady directly for a one-on-one consultation. Review Emory Family benefits and resources at Worklife.emory.edu.
National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity
The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity offers a multi-session webinar course on "Parenting and Productivity." Check it out on their website. Also, in case you weren't aware, Emory faculty and graduate students automatically have a FREE NCFDD membership. If you haven't yet done so, you can activate it here by selecting "Emory University" in the dropdown menu and following the prompts.
Facebook Support Groups
For Emory Faculty Parents of Young Children
We have created a Facebook group that aims to be a means of support for Emory faculty parents of young children -- roughly pre-school age or younger (the age limit is not a hard line).
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2191983834286100
Some academic parents have also found helpful and meaningful support in other Facebook groups. Below is a list of groups recommended by Emory faculty parents.
For Mothers In Academia
https://www.facebook.com/groups/phdmamas
General Support
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/MomsMakingitTogether
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/272350036224311(Traveling with Babies and Toddlers)
By Neighborhood
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/kirkwoodmamascloset(Kirkwood neighborhood baby/kid stuff exchange)
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/475630409116468(Intown Atlanta Parent Buy/sell)
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/1058892494150423(Kirkwood Area Playgroups)
- DAMES (Decatur Area Moms Experiencing Sanity) https://www.facebook.com/groups/decaturmoms/ There are also a number of other DAMES groups with specific topics, such as travel and hiking
Childbirth and Lactation
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/IGTmamas(IGT and Low Milk Supply Support Group – Global)
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/HM4HBGeorgia(Human milk for human babies, Georgia)
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/positiveinduction(Positive Induction)
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/georgiamomsforbetterbirth
- Facebook lactation group (nationwide): Empowered working and breastfeeding moms https://www.facebook.com/groups/617928241932616
Local Sitters and Nanny Shares
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/959514644165586(Scotties for Babysitting II)
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/intownatlantasitternannyshare
Buy/Sell Groups
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/kirkwoodmamascloset(Kirkwood neighborhood baby/kid stuff exchange)
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/475630409116468(Intown Atlanta Parent Buy/sell)
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/964137373681258(Maternity/Nursing exchange/sale)
Contacts
If you have questions or suggestions for this new program of support, we’d love to hear from you.
Mary Ellen Eady, Work-Life Specialist, Human Resources
404-727-4177
Allison Adams, Director, Scholarly Writing and Research, Center for Faculty Development and Excellence
404-727-5269