[twinmama]

I was accepted to the local LPN program that starts next month. I'm thrilled and proud of myself, but at the same time, this is scaring me silly! I have three-year-old twins and I've been home with them since their birth; I'm not sure I'm ready to put them into daycare and go to school. I know I should just call the school and ask about deferring for a semester or a year, but will that "taint" me in the school's eyes?

Alternatively, what are the chances that they'd let me do the program part-time? Obviously it would take longer to complete, but it would work so much better for me and my family...but that's probably not an option, eh?

Thanks.

[Gravysgal]

It wouldn't hurt to ask about the part-time,
But you should go ahead and get started this semester,
the longer you put it off is going to make harder to go,
the twins are 3 this year, but then there 4 next year,
don't let that be the excuse for you not to go to school if it's something you really want to do.

[lmm1019]

Certainly cannot hurt to ask!!! Being home with them for the past three years and then all of a sudden putting them into daycare is not an easy thing, but trust me when I say, you will adjust. Maybe you can bring them to the daycare for a couple of hours a day and let yourself adjust slowly? Or maybe somewhere else...just so you get used to not having them all day.

It was hard when I had to leave my daughter at 7 weeks old, so if I had been home with her for 3 years, I could only imagine the separation anxiety I'd have!!!

But also remember, you may feel like you are not doing the right thing, but in my opinion, they will have a BLAST in daycare!!! Spending time with other kids is not such a bad thing!! My daughter has been with family up to now while I am at work, but come August, my sister will no longer be watching her, so my daughter (who is 2) will be going into daycare for the first time. I'm a little scared, proud, aprehensive...you name it, I'm there. But I know she will be fine...usually the mama's are the one's who have the biggest issues with it!!!

[natrgrrl]

I can completely understand your situation. I have 4 kids and have been a SAHM for 7 years. My youngest is going to be 5 next month. I have ALWAYS said that I would put my kids first and not do daycare.
Well, here I am, trying to decide if I should start him in kindergarten (which he is not ready for), put him in daycare for 2 days a week, or wait another year to start nursing school.
I don't know if you have a spouse or parent you can talk with but that has been the most productive thing I have done so far. For our family, the best situation I can think of is to do the 2 days of daycare. Thank God my husband works nights so he can be home with my son the other days I am in school.
This probably didn't help you sort out your problem but just know that there are other moms out there who understand.

[Irene joy]

I almost think it would be easier, to go to school now, rather than later. I did'nt used to feel that way, my whole plan was to wait until my youngest was in school, but it's turning out to be harder this way. When the kids are 3 they don't have a scedual yet. You control their schedual. Once they get in school their are start times, and pick up times. Then half day kindergartens, and who's going to pick them up and take them to day care at noon? If you go to school now, you drop them off according to YOUR sceduale, and pick them up when you're ready. Plus they will be more prepared for school come kindergarten. My youngest was never in daycare, and I really think it played a part in her not being ready for kindergarten this year evan though she's old enough. She's going to go to junior-k this fall and hopefully on to full time school after that so FINALLY I can start nursing school!

[justamazing]

HELLO GUYS I UNDERSTAND YOUR SITUATION BUT LIKE THE OTHER POSTER SAID YOUR KIDS WILL ADJUST AND SO WILL U. I AM THE MOTHER OF TWO WONDERFUL BOYS AGES 6 AND 4. MY BOYS HAVE BEEN IN DAYCARE SINCE THEY WERE 3 MONTHS NOT BY CHOICE BUT I LIVE IN NJ AND EVERYTHING IS SO EXPENSIVE SO I HAVE TO WORK.NOW THAT I AM STARTING NURSING SCHOOL IN SEPT MY OLDEST WILL BE IN FIRST GRADE AND MY YOUNGEST IN PRE K. PERSONALLY I FELL DAYCARE REALLY HELPS IT GIVES US MOMS THE BREAK WE NEED SOMETIMES AND ALSO THE KIDS LEARN SOCIAL SKILLS. I WOULD JUST LOOK AROUND A MAYBE START THEM IN SLOWLY LIKE 2 DAYS A WEEK UNTIL THEY GET COMFORTABLE. MOST 3 YEARS OLD ADJUST VERY QUICKLY AND THEY JUST MIGHT SUPRISE U.

[BerkeleyMom]

I agree with justamazing. I think often times the daycare adjustment is harder on us parents than the children. When my youngest started part-time at age 2, I was worried about her adapting. Turned out, she LOVED it. In fact, the mornings she did not go, she cried, put on her little backpack and begged me to take her! lol.

[np_wannabe]

I have been a SAHM since the birth of my first child 4 1/2 years ago. No way would I put my kids in day care. my dh and I are doing opposite schedules, and it's going to stay that way until my youngest is in school.

this time you have with your girls in irretrievable. you will never get this time back. and, in the big scheme of things, what's putting school off for 2 years when they start school full-time. it's only 2 years.

[BerkeleyMom]

Originally Posted by np_wannabe

I have been a SAHM since the birth of my first child 4 1/2 years ago. No way would I put my kids in day care. my dh and I are doing opposite schedules, and it's going to stay that way until my youngest is in school.

this time you have with your girls in irretrievable. you will never get this time back. and, in the big scheme of things, what's putting school off for 2 years when they start school full-time. it's only 2 years.

Obviously, everyone has a different situation. Some parents must put their children in childcare in order to work and survive, while others simply choose to for their own personal reasons or to benefit the child. Then there is everyone else in between.

No one has the right to judge anyone elses' needs or choices. By saying "No way would I put my kids in day care" implies judgment of others that do. This is supposed to be a supportive community, and I do not see anything beneficial by your statement. I hope you do not display that same insensitivity in your career because it is of particular importance in the field of nursing to be openminded to everyone's differences.

[xNursePinkx2b]

Originally Posted by np_wannabe

I have been a SAHM since the birth of my first child 4 1/2 years ago. No way would I put my kids in day care.

Yeah, cause putting your kids in daycare is something that only selfish mothers do.