Those who are doing NS with young children

lizzyberry · Jul 27, 2007

I remember when I started school for the first time my kids were 3yr old and 1. They would cry when I would leave but if they are with a reliable babysitter there is nothing wrong with them being away from you for awhile. As long as you trust the babysitter than it is healthy for you and your children to have time apart. My this August will be my third year going to school and my younger son still cries when I leave hime with my mom but after I leave my mom says he just starts playing. As soon as I get home from school,my son, who was crying when I left, is having so much fun. Dont worry your kids will understand and get used to it that mommy goes to school. When your children see you studying that will teach them to study and read. School will go by so fast but you can still be there for them throughout school. I know I will. You and your kids will be fine good luck!

chnc1024, ASN · Jul 27, 2007

I've also got 2 small children. My daughter turned 3 in May, and my son will be 1 in October. I love the idea about a "study bag"!!! I'll definatly be doing that for my girl! My kids don't really have a problem when I leave them with someone. Granted it's very few and far between until reciently when I've had a lot of running around to do to prepare for school, or Sunday mornings in the Church nursery. I guess the best thing to do would be allow them to associate you leaving for school with them getting to do something fun too. Of course your 3mth old is much too young to get that now, but you 3 year old definintly will.

I love to hear any additional advice others may have as well!

Chancie

CMColumbus · Jul 28, 2007

I have a 3 yr old son. He is used to going to daycare during the day since he's been in daycare since 6 weeks. I know the staff very well because I worked there for 2 years before he was born up until he was 2 1/2. So I know what goes on there and I know the teachers truly care about the kids. Its not like those places that give daycares a bad name. Its a normal routine for him, so my going to school doesn't affect him during the day. At night I have dinner with him and we play together. That is our bonding time. I don't do my homework and studying until he goes to bed at 9pm. I go to bed anywhere from midnight to 3am. I get between 4 and 7 hours of sleep. On the weekends I catch up on sleep. Its a rough schedule but I can't see it working any other way and school is flying by. This will be worth it in the end. I'd love to work three 12 hr shifts a week and have the other days to be with my son. When I get to those points where I just don't think I can do it anymore, I go over to salary.com and look up how much money I'll be making when I'm through school. That cheers me up pretty quick.

AprilRNhere · Jul 28, 2007

Good luck...it's definately possible to get through school with kids. I had a 1 year old child when I started, and a year later gave birth to twins. (shocker for us lol) I just graduated..my kids are 3 and 5. Just keep trying things by trial and error. Find what works for your family. I did my best to keep school work outside of the family. It was grueling though. I studied between 10-2 am most nights....then got up with my kids by 7 am. When things got rough...I made dates with my kids and planned "mommy and me" time. They love it. Even when I was home for 2 months after graduation..they still asked for their "mommy and me time". Talk about how your school will benefit them and stay positive.

2bnursewgtr · Jul 29, 2007

I am starting my ASN program Aug 20th. 2nd degree. I am 41 and have a special needs 3 year old. I am preparing for the hard times. I moved to where family members can help. Still need to work outside of school. I hear so many positive comments, I hope I can do it. I am going to "be happy" and not worry as much. We are not doing this because it is easy, but it is what we WANT.

I wish you luck, and myself luck.

garnetbeauty82 · Jul 29, 2007

I know that there is a lot of us parents out there that are doing nursing school with young children. I am fortunate to not have to work outside of the home. I have been a stay at home mom for my soon to be three year old and 3 month old. I am also fortunate to have my family's support. My mom will be caring for my children and my sister who is a quad at home while attend class and clinical s since my husband does have to work full time (he is in banking). I have already talked it over with my daughter (who is 3) and she adamant that she does NOT want me to go to school. I went today to buy some of my school supplies and ending up getting her a few things as well. I was thinking of making her a "special study bag" that I can pull out when I am studying-so that we can do "school" together. I was thinking of filling it with coloring pages, little puzzles, paints etc...I know she is going to have a difficult time but I will make it a point to try and not deviate too far from our current schedule at home that is filled with fun trips to the library story time and the museum and reading and crafts at home. Does anyone have any suggestions for me to make this transition smooth? I already brought out my much hated breastpump so I can start a stash for my 3 month old. They both LOVE grandma so I know that they will be happy. Just thinking about leaving them makes me cry though. I know this will be worth it in the end. If you got this far thanks for letting me ramble and for listening. Please feel free to share your experience or advice. I really need a little encouragement and a whole lot of organization if I am going to make this work.

You sound like you have a pretty strong handle on things! My son was in Kindergarden when I started going back to school. So we kind of started school together :) I work as well though so I have a little less time with him. The one thing that helped with our transition was answering questions that he had. Your little girl may not ask as many questions or even understand quite as well, but what she does ask just make sure you take the time to answer. The one thing I have found that has been hard is not getting complacent. Studying is really rigerous now that I am actually in the clinical portion of my schooling but I have made it doable and am lucky to have a very supportive family which you really seem to have. I wish you the best of luck and will keep you and your family in my prayers. Feel free to "ramble" any time it really does help :)

HUGS

Tisha

onyx77 · Jul 30, 2007

I agree with all the posts so far. I am in my fourth semester and have a 10-year-old son. It has been very trying. I started out trying to do my homework when he went to bed, but when clinicals started I couldn't do that and still have my careplans done correctly. It is hard and don't deny that. Remember that you CAN do it and WILL do it, no matter what it takes. Try your best not to wear yourself out. Studying over night may get the homework done, but it will lead to burnout. It did for me. I dropped my third semester clinical because of burnout and it was the best decision I made regarding NS. It was a very hard decision to make because I was doing well and didn't want to put graduation off! But, it paid off in the long-run. Remember that you are still human and can't do everything all the time. I'm sure you will do well. :monkeydance:

bymysoultosqueezeRN · Jul 30, 2007

I have 10 months old daughter but my parents help me A LOT, couldnt do it without them since Im a single mom also, two more years to go so I wish you and myself luck

AprilRNhere · Jul 30, 2007

Accept ANY help offered to you. Don't try to be too independant.

elisabeth · Jul 30, 2007

My daughter is 5 and will be starting kindergarten a week after I start nursing school. Talk about perfect timing!

Anyway, she's been home with me since she was born. I do daycare at home. She also has loved doing "homework." Her homework started out as circling things she liked in catalogs. From there we moved on to a program called Start Write. It allows you to type up and print those dot letters we used to beg our parents to draw for us when we were learning to write. It's fairly inexpensive and has several different handwriting fonts including D'Nealian and cursive. Samantha has had fun with this and can write pretty well now.

ericka07 · Aug 1, 2007

I have a 6 year old, 4 year old, and a 3 year old. I started nursing school when my youngest was 1.

I have a 3.95 GPA (got my first A- after I wound up with cancer over the summer break last year, but went back to school 3 weeks later after a craniotomy) and manage to get the kids to soccer, gymnastics, etc. However, it does take a supportive husband who is willing to do things like bath and bed on the nights I need to study (usually the nights before exams).

I am always told it is amazing that I am able to do it all, but truly it's all about time management.