A qualitative phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of 10 tenured and untenured women from various disciplines who were engaged in academic careers while mothering pre-teen children. Analysis of the in-depth interview data uncovered six themes common to the participants: (a) sense of vulnerability, (b) sense of isolation, (c) sense of compromise and inadequacy, (d) overwhelming sense of stress and pressure, (e) lack of acknowledgement and structural support, and (f) perception of positive gains. The implications of the findings are discussed, with emphasis being placed on the counselling and institutional support needs of women faculty who are raising young children.