Dr. Wiebke Vogelaar is a speaker, author and coach. She holds a PhD in International Relations and has worked as a researcher in Germany and internationally. As the founder of Alma Mater, she supports mothers in academia in making space for focused, meaningful work, through coaching as well as keynotes and workshops at universities and research institutions.

Foreword by the author
Foreword by Jodi Pawluski
My story
What to expect from this book
Chapter structure
Key terms

1 Why a coaching book specifically for mothers in academia?
1.1 What mothers in academia need and want
1.2 Double beliefs
1.3 The cycle of exhaustion

2 Care Work
2.1 Equal Care
2.2 Cognitive and Emotional Care Work
2.3 Mental Load

3 Matrescence
3.1 On Becoming a Mother
3.2 A Transformational Process
3.3 The Stages of Matrescence

4 Focus Kegels
4.1 Embracing Boredom
4.2 Meditation
4.3 Productive Meditation
4.4 Monotasking
4.5 Digital Detox
4.6 Actual Kegels
4.7 Overview

5 Headspace
5.1 Morning Routine
5.2 Brain Dump
5.3 Journaling
5.4 Shutdown Ritual
5.5 Kanban Board
5.6 Overview

6 Emotional Connection
6.1 Your Motivation for Writing
6.2 Reinforcing Self-Determination
6.3 Appreciating your Work
6.4 Your Research Question
6.5 Overview

7 Your Basic Needs
7.1 The Self-Esteem Pot
7.2 HALT
7.3 Accepting Help
7.4 Building Networks
7.5 Overview

8 Deep Work
8.1 What is Deep Work?
8.2 How do I practice Deep Work?
8.3 Where do I focus best?
8.4 How do I fit Deep Work into a mother’s day?
8.5 Overview

Concluding thoughts
Epilogue by Dr. Lena Eckert
“The Writing Angel or the Angelic Writer in the House”—Paradoxical (Textual) Relationships?

Acknowledgements
References

Index