Has anyone here handled both school and kids?

[queenofthenile]

Hi There,

I am a married mom of one and we believe we could be expecting baby number two soon. My first baby is going to preschool very soon. The reason we were thinking about having baby number two right now is because I have reason to fear for my biological clock even though I'm 25. My husband also wanted to have a another child now because he is in his mid 30's and does not want to be too old with a very young child. I have finished many pre-reqs at community college and have applied to several four year schools as well as the nursing program at my local community college. I feel a little bit scared though. Has anyone been able to finish their education while having young kids? I feel so stressed because I'm being pulled in two different directions.On the one hand, I want to make something of myself so I can help my family and being a nurse has always been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. On the other hand, I don't want my child growing up without a sibling. I don't want to look back in regret of never having another child and taking that away from my husband either. I mean my mom offered to raise one child with my dad for me while I go to school but they live in another child and I dont know how this will impact that child.Besides that, how can I be half way across the world without one of my babies? Does anyone have any words of encouragement?

I appreciate all your advice in advance.

[CWONgal]

I did it though it was a challenge. I would go to school, come home and devote my time to my child until his bedtime at 8. I would study until 10, get up at 4, study for a couple of hours, get my son ready for school and head off myself. It's a couple of years of making it work but it's worth it in the end.

[RN&mom]

Nursing school is tough but it is manageable with a family I promise! I have two kids and am married. I went to school full time, worked full time, was secretary of our local youth football league (that alone was a full time unpaid job). During this time my husband and I also took in my nephew to help him with his drug addiction, became foster parents to another boy who was in rehab with our nephew & would have had nowhere to go... We were never foster parents before this so we had to do that whole process. And my youngest has a rare condition, tons of doctors, follow up etc and needs constant monitoring... It was HARD! I cried on more than 1 occasion and threatened to quit a few times but I did it and so can you!

[cassie77775]

I did it with 3 kids but waited until all 3 were in school(so the youngest was 4 and in prek). Best decision I made. I seriously cannot imagine being a brand new mom

and a new nurse. You miss out on so much

[Palliative Care, DNP]

I did my associates program with small kids. If you want it bad enough then you will make it work. Is it hard? Absolutely but doable

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

thread moved for best response

[kaydensmom01]

I started school when my son was 6 months old, and graduated when he was almost 3. I think it was harder on me, but easier on him going to school when he was still a baby.

[Ashes172, BSN, RN]

Doing it right now with a 2 year old and honestly will probably have another baby before I'm done. I don't want my child to be 5/6 years apart. It's all about time management and have a good support system. My husband is amazing and I have both my mom and mother in law in town. Kiddo goes to bed, I study. It's totally possible. Life's what you make it :)

[NKS82]

I'm doing it at the moment. I'm single mother of five (Kids are 11, 10, 8, 5 and 3. I started when my youngest was 1,5). It's really hard at times and requires extreme time management skills (and lots of night time studies), but it's definitely doable.

[Jaykalkyn, BSN, RN]

It is totally doable. You just have to get a schedule and stick to it. Similar to what CWONgal said, in the evenings I sneak in a little reading/studying while the kids are doing homework or when they're eating dinner or in the bathtub. I do most of my study time when the kids are in the bed. So around 8:30 - 9:00 I buckle down to study until 12:30 at the absolute latest (I cannot function on less than 5 hours of sleep).

I have the luxury of going to school full time and not working so in between classes or while I am at home, I study.

Find a schedule that works for you and make it work. Its a sacrifice, of your own personal time and self, but its definitely worth it.

[EaglesWings21, ASN, RN]

RN&Mom, you rock and you are my role model!! lol. Yes I have three kids, two are special needs and one is a handful. I work 2-3 jobs and am in nursing school. It is possible but very stressful. I am the type of person who does well when stressed, but it's not for everyone.

[PTKChic]

I have a toddler now. It's difficult. I wish I didn't hesitate a year before going back to school; they just sleep that first year and eat. I think women put careers before family too much. Having the baby now works best for your family. I don't get why you would separate your kids. Yikes! Not a good idea, in my opinion.