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Mrs Mummy PhD

Journeys of Becoming...

Unravelling The Hidden Joys of Being A Scholarly Mama

May 13, 2024 · Personal Growth & Wellness

As a Scholarly Mama, you embark on a truly extraordinary journey. This journey blends the worlds of motherhood and academia. In this remarkable path, you not only nurture your intellectual passions but also inspire the next generation, redefining what’s possible. Amidst the challenges and sacrifices, there lies a profound tapestry of joys waiting to be savoured. Join us as we unravel these transformative joys of being a Scholarly Mama. Let’s celebrate the empowerment, curiosity, contribution, authenticity, and resilience, and boundary-breaking nature of this unique journey.

By the way, if you would prefer to listen to the related podcast episode, please use the player below:

The Joy of Empowerment

At the core of your scholarly pursuit lies a profound sense of empowerment. With every course, research endeavour, and academic accolade, you actively expand your mind and strengthen your skills. Yes Mama, you’re becoming a more capable force in the world. However, this journey is not merely about titles or accolades. It’s about mastering a discipline and contributing to the ever-evolving body of knowledge in your field. The feeling of empowerment that accompanies this growth is truly invigorating, boosting your sense of personal agency and self-worth.

As your children witness your academic achievements, they too imbibe this empowering essence. They learn that learning is a lifelong journey, and that there is no ceiling on what they can achieve. By embodying this joy of empowerment, you model the heights that are possible when one commits to personal growth. You’ll break through those societal barriers and self-imposed limitations.

The Joy of Curiosity

One of the most captivating aspects of being a Scholarly Mama is the opportunity to indulge in an innate sense of curiosity. Every day, as you immerse yourself in your research, you tap into your creativity, exploring new ideas, uncovering fresh insights, and quenching your thirst for deeper knowledge and understanding.

Your children cannot help but pick up on this infectious joy of curiosity. Whether you’re explaining complex concepts or simply witnessing you in your scholarly element, they begin to understand that having an inquisitive mind is a truly remarkable gift. By embracing complexity, dissecting problems, and living at the center of questions, you nurture a generation of critical thinkers who approach information with a discerning eye and an unwavering desire to seek knowledge.

The Joy of Contribution

At the culmination of your Scholarly Mama journey lies a remarkable academic achievement – a novel piece of work that expands the depths of what we know about a particular topic. As a subject matter expert, you leave a lasting imprint on your discipline, building something powerful that has the potential to open doors and shift paradigms.

For your children, witnessing their mother leaving such a profound legacy is incredibly empowering and inspiring. They bear witness to the fruits of your efforts, the knowledge you’ve cultivated, and the significance of your work in shaping the world. This joy of contribution serves as a powerful driver. It reminds you that your perseverance and dedication are crafting something truly meaningful, even when the slog feels never-ending.

The Joy of Living in Your Truth

As a Scholarly Mama, your actions teach one of life’s most invaluable lessons. That’s the ability to define your own path and achieve whatever you set your mind to. Your children are observing your every move. They are witnessing you persist through obstacles, make sacrifices, manage time skillfully, and remain dedicated to a lofty goal year after year.

By living your truth as a woman committed to nurturing both her mind and her family, you plant the seeds that anything is possible. You prove that the highest levels of education need not come at the cost of family priorities. Simultaneously, you model the joy of grit – the ability to persevere, dust yourself off, and remain committed to the path you’ve chosen, no matter how many times you’re knocked down.

The Joy of Grace

Yet, amidst this unwavering determination, you also teach the joy of grace. You demonstrate the art of setting boundaries, adjusting expectations, prioritising what matters most, and forgiving yourself for failures. This powerful combination of grit and grace instills in your children the invaluable qualities of resilience, self-love, kindness, and the courage to pursue big goals while knowing when to walk away with grace.

The Joy of Redefining What’s Possible

For far too long, we’ve characterised an academic or scholar identity as a certain gender, ethnicity, and the sacrifice of family life. But you, dear Scholarly Mama, are rewriting this narrative in real-time. By your very identity, you are defying stereotypes and proving that the highest levels of education can be attained while still being a devoted, present mother.

In doing so, you expand the idea of what’s possible for your children. Plus, you’re paving the way for more parents and mothers to merge the worlds of family and academia more fluidly. This joy of redefining possibilities is profoundly empowering. You’re breaking down artificial barriers and challenge societal norms through the very fabric of your existence.

Yet, the true secret to your Scholarly Mama success lies not only in defying conventions but also in embracing a purposeful strategy. This can help you finish well without sacrificing yourself or those you love most. For when you win where it matters, everyone wins! The joys of being a Scholarly Mama become not mere aspirations but tangible realities waiting to be claimed. Let’s work together to help you make this your reality!

Concluding the Joys of Being a Scholarly Mama

So, as you reflect on this extraordinary journey, remember the profound tapestry of these joys of being a Scholarly Mama that are yours to savour. The empowerment, curiosity, ability to contribute new knowledge, authenticity, grit, grace, and the power to redefine possibilities. These are the special gifts that set the tone for you to be a Mama, Scholar, and trailblazer!

So when the doubts creep in, let these joys of being a Scholarly Mama be reminders of why you took this leap in the first place. Embrace the identity of a purposeful Scholarly Mama who desires to embody these joys and achieve purposeful success. For these joys are not mere destinations to be reached. They are accessible, timely rewards ready to be claimed, right here and now, as you navigate this remarkable journey of motherhood and academia. Remember that you are inspiring the next generation with every step.

These Mama, are your journeys of becoming!

Sending you lots of love and gratitude,

Signature | Mrs Mummy PhD
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Meet Mrs Mummy PhD®

Hey Mama! I'm Dr Michelle Gibbs and this little corner of the internet exists to help ambitious women like you, achieve your lofty goals without sacrificing what matters most. If you're juggling a family, career, scholarly journey and everything else in-between, then this space is for you! It's time to flourish on purpose, with less hustle and more harmony. So Mama, are you in? Fabulous! Let's begin. These are our journeys of becoming :-)

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So grateful for the incredible women who have been So grateful for the incredible women who have been guests on the Mrs Mummy PhD® podcast. 

Before the podcast returns, I wanted to honour them for sharing their wisdom, honesty, and lived experience:

* Melissa K Lowe (@thewellthymamaco) — Ep 49
* Dr. Sidra Iftikhar (@mama.with.a.phd) — Ep 58
* Dr. Kristine Nicki Annunciata (@dr.milk_nicki) — Ep 58
* Dr Gertrude Nonterah (@theboldphd) — Ep 60
* Dra Yvette Martinínez-Vu (@gradschoolfemtoring) — Ep 66
* Dr Amy Camilleri Zahra (@amycamillerizahra) — Ep 74
* Lynn from ‘Research with Lynn’ (@researchwithlynn) — Ep 80
* Unyime Oguta (@uniyme_oguta) — Ep 87
* Dr Natalya Androsova (@natalya_androsova_) — Ep 101
* Dr Paulina Cossette (@(@acadiaediting) — Ep 113
* Dr Blessing Adeniyi (@thephdrace) — Ep 118
* Dr Milensu Shanyinde (@workacademicmum) — Ep 116
* Dr Nonhlanhla Dube (@drnoni_happywriting on TikTok) — Ep 121

These conversations weren’t about one way of doing things. They reflected real journeys — varied, complex, and honest — and showed what becomes possible when women lead their lives in ways that honour what matters most to them.

Thoughtful conversations. Inspiring women.

So…

🎙The @mrsmummyphd podcast is returning soon with a new look and focus — this next season is about restoration, self-leadership, and sustainable success.
It will be a must-listen for all @scholarlymamas 🎓

Stay tuned.

In the meantime, which episode above had the greatest impact on your journey? Tag a Mama in the comments who you think would love to tune in!

These are our journeys of becoming 🌿🦋🌿

#MrsMummyPhD #ScholarlyMamas #JourneysofBecoming #AcademicMotherhood #WomenInLeadership
So many Scholarly Mamas® are quietly hoping the ho So many Scholarly Mamas® are quietly hoping the holidays will finally bring relief.

More time. More space. More ease. More rest.

But rest doesn’t arrive just because the calendar slows down or says its mid-December.

You won’t feel rested if guilt follows you into the quiet…

If overworking still feels like the price of worth.

If ‘doing the most’ has become the way you keep everything together.

Rest isn’t seasonal. Rest isn’t a Christmas thing…

It’s structural and once you embed it, it’s transformational.

It comes when you stop trying to earn your right to slow down.

When you loosen your grip on proving and performing.

When you lead yourself differently… especially when no one is watching.

That isn’t laziness or self-indulgence.

It’s wisdom.

It’s self-leadership.

And for many @scholarlymamas

…that’s the real work of this season.

You’re allowed to choose a different way, because these are your journeys of becoming…🦋👩🏽‍🎓

Follow @mrsmummyphd for more!
🍂A seasonal reminder👇🏽 ⁠ Watching the leaves fall 🍂A seasonal reminder👇🏽
⁠
Watching the leaves fall this autumn reminds me that even the trees release what no longer serves them. They don’t cling. They don’t question their worth. They simply trust the process that is their becoming.
⁠
And maybe you’re in a season that feels a lot like falling… or even failing… The overwhelm. The high expectations. The creeping deadlines. The meetings, events, bookings, invites and appointments. The exhaustion. The mental load required to keep it all together. The quiet internal wondering that questions whether you’re still on the right path and making the right calls. All the things that come with juggling both academic work and motherhood…
⁠
But from one Scholarly Mama to another…

I’ve realised that sometimes those internal rumblings are the beginnings of your growth to become the woman this season is calling you to be…. a subtle sign to realign, to shake things up a bit, to do things a little differently this/next time.
⁠
Just like the trees, you’re allowed to let go of what no longer serves…
To release.
To rest.
To root deeper, so you can rise stronger.
⁠
Your becoming begins with a simple decision today… not tomorrow, not on 1st January 2026, not when you achieve this or that, not when someone else gives you the permission…. But right here, right now… in the “in-between”, in the messy middle.

The decision to choose purpose, presence and peace. The decision to give yourself grace for the season you’re in and trust that none of your growth is wasted. 
‘Tis the season for alignment…

❓What shift (big or small) is on the horizon for you? (Just know that I’m rooting for your joy & success!)
⁠
Mama, these are our journeys of becoming 🦋

Follow @mrsmummyphd for more!

#journeysofbecoming #jugglestruggle #scholarlymotherhood #autumn #autumnvibes #newseason #newyou #becoming
For the ambitious @scholarlymamas blending marriag For the ambitious @scholarlymamas blending marriage, motherhood, and a research career… I see you.

Because juggling all of this is its own kind of thesis, and busyness is not a badge of honour.

These are the gentle reminders I wish I had on the days I felt stretched thin:

You’re allowed to slow down.
You’re allowed to breathe.
You’re allowed to be brilliant and tender at the same time.
Your journey might look different, but it’s no less meaningful.
Your pace is worthy. And so are you...

These are your journeys of becoming 🦋
When I travelled recently for work—the solo suitca When I travelled recently for work—the solo suitcase, quiet hotel room, no mouths to feed, no one to get ready for bed… sounds like bliss (iykyk!), and yet my heart remained at home.

But instead of allowing the guilt to take over, I chose harmony:
- FaceTime during dinner
- Silly faces on screen
- FaceTime family worship
- Bedtime with the kids
- Uninterrupted chilled convos with my husband
- Letting connection travel with me.

Not perfectly. Not performatively. Just intentionally.

Then, I switched off completely and embraced the R&R!

For the @scholarlymamas navigating ambition + motherhood:

You don’t have to split yourself in half to make both matter.

You get to choose the personal mini-moves that keep you grounded, connected, and human.

Self-compassion is the bridge. Harmony is the goal.

Burnout doesn’t get to be the price of your dreams.

These are your journeys of becoming 🦋

#scholarlymama #workingmomwisdom #worklifeharmony #antiburnout #selfcompassionjourney #mrsmummyphd #journeysofbecoming #workingmama #minimoves
It’s the becoming, the growth, the evolution…👇🏽 T It’s the becoming, the growth, the evolution…👇🏽

This kind of freedom is priceless✨

To know oneself, to know one’s worth, to be able to embody grit & grace without the grind, to have clarity of purpose, to transform one’s PhD Motherhood journey it into something incredibly purposeful and beautiful… they offer the kind of joy that no one can take away.

So the next time you feel like you can’t do this without unpardonable sacrifice or without losing yourself in the process, remember that you can still pause to BE and success can still be yours regardless of the many other hats your wear.

Mama, these are our journeys of becoming 🦋
Growing up on a tiny Caribbean island, I had big d Growing up on a tiny Caribbean island, I had big dreams as a little girl, but there were no guarantees because options were limited.

Fast forward several decades and that little girl moved countries twice, married her high-school sweetheart, became an RD with 5 degrees, including her PhD, and had 3 amazing sons (+2 angel babies).

But it wasn’t all a walk in the park…

My PhD was the hardest thing I’d ever done, especially as wife and mother. Honestly, there were many moments I wanted to give up — nights when the weight of it all felt heavy, and the finish line felt out of reach. I often questioned if I could really see it through…

But then… there was him… My husband, my anchor, my ride or die guy — the quiet strength who held me when I wanted to let go. When I doubted myself, he reminded me who I was. He carried what I couldn’t, so I could keep pursuing my career dreams.

And then there were our 3 boys — their laughter, their little voices, reminding me why I started in the first place. They were my reason… my strength… my heartbeat through it all.

There were tears, prayers, and moments of doubt — but love kept me steady, faith kept me grounded, and family gave me purpose. I realised that love and ambition aren’t opposite ends of the spectrum, but they’re threads that can weave together into something extraordinary.

Because at the end of the day…
what is success if you have no one to share it with?

That PhD began as my dream — but it became our journey. Built on faith, held by love, and made real by the people who never let me forget why I began. 

So if I could go back to childhood me, I’d let that little island girl know that though it wouldn’t be easy, her dreams were 💯possible. I’d let her know that these will be her journeys of becoming 🦋

Tag all the @scholarlymamas who need to know that their dreams are possible too!

#scholarlymama #mrsmummyphd #journeysofbecoming #phd #scholarlymamas #phdmama #purposefulsuccess
If you’re in the throes of PhD Motherhood, this me If you’re in the throes of PhD Motherhood, this message is for you! 

Keep going Mama, cheering you on all the way to Dr [you]!

Secret to success: being intentional about your Scholarly Mama life!

Sometimes being intentional looks like taking breaks for rest, recovery and recharge. Sometimes it looks like embracing the new and shelving what isn’t working for you any longer. Sometimes it’s embracing the stillness of deep work or quiet reflection. 

Here are three questions to ask yourself when you’re in the trenches of the juggle struggle:

1.	What does success look like for me in this season, and am I giving myself permission to embrace it?

2.	What can I release — habits, expectations, or pressures — that no longer serve the woman I’m becoming?

3.	Where can I create small pockets of stillness to reconnect with my purpose and joy?

Which of these questions resonates with you most right now? 

Drop your thoughts in the comments — and tag another Scholarly Mama who needs to hear this today.

These are our journeys of becoming 🦋
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