Women experience an academic career differently than their male counterparts. Women enter academic careers at similar rates as men, but there are fewer women at higher ranks (associate and professor). Women also experience an academic career differently than men as identified in the variance in their time spent on the three pillars of an academic career; teaching, research, and service. Women in academia also experience pay inequities. These disparities create unique challenges for women in academia, and those who are also mothers experience additional challenges. To manage the challenges and stressors of being an academic and a mother, academic mothers seek out social support. Social networking sites (SNS) are one form of support. There is evidence that academics and academic mothers use social networking sites but little has been done to investigate why and how academic mothers use social networking sites for support. This study explored how and why academic mothers use social networking sites for support. Four research questions guided this study: (1) Why do academic mothers seek out support through social networking sites? (2) What type of support do academic mothers receive through social networking sites? (3) How does support through social networking sites differ from in-person or other forms of support? (4) What impact has this type of support had on academic mothers' careers? This study employed a qualitative method of constructivist grounded theory with ten participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant and social network site posts were archived from seven participants. Transcripts and posts were analyzed and coded using the constant comparative method of analysis. Initial codes were moved to secondary codes and then to theory development. Confirmatory analysis, peer debriefing, member checking, and data auditing were done and contributed to the trustworthiness of this study. This study found that academic mothers have personal and professional support networks and they face challenges of dual roles, time, isolation, financial, travel, and health issues. They employ a variety of strategies to overcome these challenges including using SNS for support. They use SNS to gain advice and information, encouragement, supportive community, break down isolation, perspective, seeing success, and networking. SNS were more accessible, safe, and responsive than their in-person networks and allowed them to exist as an academic and a mother. The use of a SNS for academic mothers was a positive experience for the participants. SNS were able to mediate the personal and professional support needs for academic mothers as well as address the needs of their identities both as a mother and academic. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]