[Hausfrau]

Just curious how other SAHMs plan to juggle school and childcare? Are you choosing traditional semesters or doing part-time options because of your kids? What will your kids do while you are at school?

[Shay08]

hi - I am a SAHM in a BSN program. My daughters are 6 and 2.5, and right now I am only going part time (no more than 2 classes/semester). So far my classes have been in the evenings, so my husband can generally be here when I have class. I have also taken a few classes online. I don't mind taking it slow because I can focus a lot better this way. I definitely have a list of sitters that I use if my husband has to be out of town for work. This may all change when I get to clinicals, since I don't know if they will continue to offer an evening/weekend program at my school by the time I get to that point next fall - in which case I'll probably need to use the sitters a lot more! We don't have any family living anywhere near us, which stinks! I also like to use the time when they are in school (kindergarten and preschool) to study.

It is not easy to be a student and a mom at the same time but you just find a way to do it that works for you and your family.

Hope that helps!

[akorona1]

I am a SAHM to my son -6 and daughter-3. Up to this point I have taken my pre-reqs one at a time in the evening. My husband works 24 hr shifts as a firefighter, so I have to rely on my mom or mother-in-law to babysit on those nights. I am begining the RN pregram in the fall. I have arranged with another SAHM whose daughter goes to school with my son, to watch the kids. The first year is 4 days a week, 730-1230 give or take. She will be taking my son to school and daughter to preschool whem my husband is on shift. It's is going to be tough, but this is something I have wanted all my life, so I am dedicated to make it work.

You can do anything you put your mind to! Good luck!
April

[Jul2bRN]

I'm a SAHM also with s 6 year old and 4 year old. I start the RN program in August. My 6 year old is in 1st grade right now and I think I will enroll my 4 year old in pre-school when I go back. Either in the school I will be attending or over here where I live. The thing though is the pre-school program is only from 9-12pm MWF. So I still need to make arrangements for her after that. I live w/my parents and husband so I'm hoping they will help me w/pick-up and caring for them while I am in class. They already stated they would but to add to the situation is that I have just found out I am pregnant w/baby #3 due in Dec. So I will be entering the program 5 months pregnant and my parents do not know yet. I'm waiting till my first prenatel apt to make sure everything is fine before telling others. So far only my husband and this site know of the situation. I'm hoping for the most part I can continue on with my plan of being an RN without stopping for any period of time but I guess time will tell and as other SAHM's know it is already difficult managing your family as is without adding anymore to the mix. IF anyone has any advice for me please let me know. THANKS...

[Dream2BANurse]

SAHM here to a 10 (almost 11) yr old, 6 yr old, and 3 yr old boys. My oldest 2 are in school and I have my youngest in daycare full time while I'm in school. I took 11 credit hours this past semester but only had to go 2 days a week. I used the extra days to do house cleaning, studying, writing essays and stuff like that. This summer while all the kids are home I will be relying on my mom and my neighbor to keep all 3 kids 2 days a week while I take AP I. When school starts up for fall 2008 my youngest will go back to daycare while the oldest 2 are back in school.

[Going2BaRN]

Hi other SAHM! I am starting my pre reqs in 14 days and hoping to be in NS fall 09. I have two boys 7 and 4. My parents and mother in law will have the boys spend most of the summer with them, Thank God! This fall the oldest will start 3rd grade and the youngest in public pre k4. I think this will work well for us. My husband work a swing shift, so clinicals may be a little challenging.

[Going2BaRN]

Originally Posted by Going2BaRN

Hi other SAHM! I am starting my pre reqs in 14 days and hoping to be in NS fall 09. I have two boys 7 and 4. My parents and mother in law will have the boys spend most of the summer with them, Thank God! This fall the oldest will start 3rd grade and the youngest in public pre k4. I think this will work well for us. My husband work a swing shift, so clinicals may be a little challenging.

Well after a little more research about the public pre k it is income restricted and my hubby makes to much . Bummer

[Ponchie109]

Hey everyone...

I've got a 3 1/2 yr old, 1 1/2 yr old, and one to be born by July 2nd... So I'm gonna have my work cut out for me. I'm starting NS in the fall, and my two eldest go to preschool/daycare full time, while my grandmother will babysit the newborn while I'm in class. I know it will be rough, but it's what I have to do to get where i want to be!

[SparklyGirl]

I am a sahm with three little ones (ages 7,6 and almost 4) - I will be in a full time accelerated program in the fall and I plan to hire someone to do the laundry and babysit as needed.

I've already been looking on craigslist and unfortunately they charge an astronomical amount (at least $16/hour) but I really don't think I have a choice if I want to do well and keep my sanity (and see my kids - I want to play with them instead of folding laundry in my "free" time)

[Nurse2B2011]

I am a sahm to 4 boys (7,5,2, 7 months) and I am currently going full time. Right now I am taking 13 hours with 3 evening classes and one online class. I only have one semester left of night classes so in the spring my younger two will have to go to part time day care. I am on the waitlist at my schools daycare but they are 14 an 12 on the wait list so I am looking at daycares to find an alternative.

Anyways, it is a hard balance and at some point you will feel completely guilty for spending time away from the kids. However I keep reminding myself that I am doing this for them.