Studying while occupying a child

ILoveHealthCare · Feb 3, 2014

I know I am not alone here... I am by myself tonight with my recently turned 3 year old daughter. I should also mention that tonight I am trying to study because I am not concerned with the super bowl! Her father was so here I am. I feel guilty leaving her to entertain herself but I also am in nursing school after all and somehow have to get through this...
We have already switched activities several times. She now wants to play a game on the Wii her dad plays with her but as he is not home, she wants ME to play. Besides the fact I do not know how to play Metroid or whatever is on there, I really can't be playing video games instead of studying. I keep having to turn down her offers to play with her and it makes me a little bit sadder each time. If only I could REALLY get her to understand the importance of what I am trying to accomplish at her young age. So I try my best not to get frustrated when she interrupts the lecture I am listening every 5-10 minutes.
At this point I feel like I either am a bad parent, or a bad student. But nursing school is all about finding a balance right? Now in my second semester as a sophomore, I am finding that I have to up the studying. I am also finding that with a three year old in her developmental stage I have to up the involvement factor significantly and answer "why?" after every statement I make.
Any ideas fellow parents? It is not always like this, but at these times I feel guilty. And of course I have an exam and a quiz tomorrow. Can the super bowl NOT be the day before an exam next year????!

While I'm not a parent I do watch my nieces that age. Play with them for 10 minutes then study for 20 minutes and then play with them again. That's what I do. It's slow but I do get some work done. I also have them watch with me and say the words I'm learning. It works for me.

pixiebuddymick · Feb 3, 2014

I like the idea of incorporating her a little! Thank you. She already asks questions about what she sees on powerpoints. Might as well practice some teaching!

amberdawn85 · Feb 3, 2014

My 3 year old plays on his nabi while I studying ever night from 7:45, which is when my youngest goes down until he is ready for sleep. He cuddles up in my bed next to me. I talk to him in between studying. It's our time :)

Jcgirl · Feb 3, 2014

It's hard. My little one is 20 months old and man is he active. I study during the day when I can. I'll play, play, entertain him, then try to sneak to the couch with my book, while he plays on the floor with a cup of Cheerios.

RunBabyRN · Feb 3, 2014

You can give her quiet activities to do while you study. Coloring, playing with toys, etc can be good. You can even take your stuff outside and let her play out there if the weather allows.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 3, 2014

Nap time and a reliably early bedtime are your friends. If your 3-year-old isn't in bed and quiet/asleep by 7:30, move bedtime back 15 minutes a week until she is, with the bedtime ritual (nice warm bath, quiet story, etc.) to signal the end of the day. Once she's in bed, that's it. If she gets up, quietly guiding her back, no engagement in conversation, no one-more-story. Bedtime is bedtime. A three-year-old gets the picture faster than you think.

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Feb 3, 2014

Fill her cup with 15 minutes of mommy time, then sit her down to play on her own for however long she can stand it and then repeat.

Also teaching her some of the material you are learning and reading to her can sometimes work. It works with my 7 year old boy, but I am not sure how it would work with a 3 year old. I too implement an early bed time. My son is at an age that I can say okay you have to be in bed by 7:30 but you can read, make bracelettes, or whatever he can safely do in bed by himself until 8-8:30. I have story CDs for him too.

The I-Pad can be your friend with interactive entertainment/educational games for instance, try going to PBS kids.

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Feb 4, 2014

My son just turned 8, and there are times I feel guilty for not playing with him or spending more time with him. While he is older than your child and can understand mommy has schoolwork, he still wants his cuddle time with me. Like today, I left school and picked him up and took him to judo class for 3 hours, then stopped at a drive-thru for dinner and ate while I did some homework. He got a shower and ate and then came downstairs for his cuddle time. I took 15 minutes to hold him and talk to him about his day. Then he was ready for his show and I can get my bath and finish homework. It may have only been 15 minutes but those were the most important 15 minutes of my day and his. :)