Need help with schedule

proud2bme · Apr 15, 2002

Hello. I too, am a very busy stay-at-home mom. My children are 10, 7 and 5. The youngest to go into kindergarten in the fall. I have been taking 1 pre-req class for the past 3 weeks. It's a night class from 6:30-9:30/2 nights per week. I also have a very supportive husband and know I couldn't do it without him. I am V.P. of our PTA and seem to be busy all the time! I found the best time for me to study has been right after class when I get home. The kids are already in bed and the information learned is still in the for-front of my mind. Unfortunately, I have found myself dreaming of the things I have studied that night! I also try to sneak some study time in when Blue's Clue's is on entertaining my son. Gotta love NickJr! Good luck!

CountrifiedRN · Apr 15, 2002

Hi Cathy

I am a mom of three kids, boy 15, girl 12, and boy 2. I am not working right now so that I can focus on school. You didn't mention what your husbands work schedule is like, so I'm not sure if the type of schedule I have would work for you.

My husband works varying night and day 12 hour shifts, so while he is supportive of my schooling, he can't offer much help with the kids schedules. I go to school during the day, most of our nursing classes are in the morning and early afternoon. My older kids are in school all day, and my youngest goes to daycare. When I get out of school, I go straight home and do my reading and other school work. On fridays we get out at 10 am so that is the day that I have the most time to do work, I usually reserve that time for big projects that need a lot of time. My older kids take the school bus home, so they arrive between 3:30 and 4, and then I go get the little one from day care. If I"m lucky, I will have completed most of my work before then, so I have time to spend with the kids. The baby goes to bed at around 8:30, so I have additional time at night if I need it.

There are always those days that I can't get stuff done in the afternoon because of doctor appointments or teacher meetings, and then I am usually up late. Weekends if I need to study, I just try to work in some time when I can, as I am trying to catch up on house work and laundry. Your house keeping will suffer during these few years, and I have found that I have really lowered my standards as far as what I deem clean and what is good enough, LOL!

The older kids are a big help also. I will sometimes pay them to "babysit" the 2 y/o in the livingroom while I do work on the computer. They also have chores to do, and they do their own laundry. It is necessary for everyone to pitch in where they can, because it helps to lower the stress level. You won't be able to do all that you do now. And it's different than having a job, because there is so much that you must do for school on your own time. Coming home after class is not the end of your day, as it is with a 9-5 job.

You will be able to find what works for you. It may take some adjustments, but just try to remember that this will only be for a short while. It sounds like you have a supportive husband, which is a great help. One word of advice though, if he doesn't do laundry now, and decides to help you out in that area, don't assume that he knows not to put a new red shirt in with the white underwear and socks because he doesn't want to have to do two loads instead of one! And what ever you do, don't let him touch anything that says "dry flat".

Good luck in your classes!

Mkue · Apr 15, 2002

Hi,

I'm the proud Mom of 3 boys, 19, 13 and 12, my oldest is in college and the last two are very busy guys.

Anyway, you can do it. I took 18 credit hours this semester and it has been tough BUT it's nice to not to have to work while in school. I go to a private college that offers some courses just once a week, so that is really nice.

My advice to you is to try to look for courses that you only need to attend limited hours during the week and use the extra time to study or be with your family.

For instance Sociology might meet only once a week from 5:30-8 pm, that is just an example. The math classes sometimes can meet once a week, I know that we have an algebra class that meets every Saturday, yck, I wouldn't like that but some people might.

Try to get lecture and lab on the say day, for instance anatomy and physiology, it makes for a long day but then you are done with that class for the week.

Good Luck

Cdrowdy · Apr 16, 2002

Thank you all for your insight. I guess I am just second guessing myself again.

NurseDixie · Apr 16, 2002

You'll do great, I'm sure. My hubby helps with housecleaning, laundry, dishes, etc. He's wonderful about helping me in any way he can. I'm 45, full time student, I'm lucky I don't have to work while I'm in school. You'll stay busy with homework, reading,etc. but it's worth it.

jschut, BSN, RN · Apr 16, 2002

Well! Sounds as if you'll have you're hands full! But believe me, with a supportive husband, you can do anything! We have(still at home)...

Amanda 16

Jacob 13

Amelia 9

Abby 7

Mine are all in school themselves, but between Amanda's working, and after school activities, and Jacob's after school activities, it seems as if nothing gets done! Then along comes the hubby...he cooks, cleans, and does basically everything around the house. He said that this has been my dream for so long, that I will have it this time...said he has his...it's my turn!:blushkiss He's the best! (most of the time!)

I think the biggest issue that you will find during nursing school is that you MUST make time for study. Maybe after the baby goes to bed, or, if you are like me, getting up a couple of hours before hand can help.

Best of luck to you!

Julie:)

studiouslpn · Apr 16, 2002

Hello,

I'm currently in the lpn prgram(10 weeks to graduation, God willing!) My strategy for pre-reqs was the internet. English, both psych's were offered on the internet. I have 2 kids (4 & 2) and they go to daycare during the day while I'm in class and my husband is at work. The most important thing is to study even when you don't think you're studying, every little bit helps. Good luck!!!!!

wsiab · Apr 17, 2002

It's hard to do evening classes with school aged kids and be away 3 nights per week, plus night classes are usually two - three hours long, longer when you get into sciences with labs. Have you considered taking morning classes while the older kids are in school. The JC that I went to had a wonderful childcare/preschool program with an emphasis on early child development (they had a program for preschool teachers and a lot of ECE classes) and it was cheap (sliding scale, 25 cents to 2.50 per hour). They allowed you to schedule your child to be there while you were in class, plus study time (on campus). You would be looking at a couple of hours of childcare in the morning for the little one 2-3 days per week, but you have more family time in the evening when your older children are home.

carlalogan · Apr 17, 2002

I've also found internet classes to be a great way to take classes when you have children not in school.

rachaelm4 · Apr 21, 2002

I'm a mother of 2 girls (6,7) I'm starting nursing school in the fall, and have been taking eng.II and psychology on the internet. My husband is fully supportive of everything and has been very helpful, but doesn't help much when your looking at deadlines and teachers that aren't very corportive with you. School is hard no matter how you look at it. Stress at some points can be unbelieveable, kids still need your attention, etc. The best advice I can give anyone is, Don't think you can do everything(you can't),don't put expectations on yourself(we are not in high school anymore, life in much different now;) ), that causes you to stress out(school will do that for you) life keeps rolling on no matter what, so be prepared for things to change, this is a huge step for everyone is your family, and everyone is going to have to make sacrifices(regardless of how big or small), and most of all TALK, TALK, TALK to your spouse, and tell him how your feeling, share your stress, anger, upset, joy, relief etc. Because in the end all you have is each other and your kids and he won't know what your going through unless you tell him.

God bless you and your family, and the very best of luck to you:D

nurseshn · May 17, 2002

Wowwwww!!!!! I will just be starting my prereqs this fall and I was thinking of working part-time, but after reading this NOTTTTT!!! Oh my goodness I had no idea and my schedue will be a class everyday during the time my chidren are in school.

Kendrick8

Micah5

Micaiah4starting Pre-k in the fall, thank goodness.

So my classes are you set up to where I'llbe home when they get off the bus!!!! Hopefully one hour earlier so that I can Study.