How do mom's do it?

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2008

don't ever give up!!!! there is always ways to go about these things...this is from a mother of 6. before and after daycare services can do wonders for a schedule or after school programs are a blessing as well. as far as work goes the best shift i ever worked as a nurse was 11-7..

i have now had to put off school for the second time and im beginning to wonder if i can ever make it through this lpn program i have been accepted into. i am the caretaker of my children and my husbands new job doesn't allow me to count on him for help getting kids to school and daycare in the morning and/or picking them up int he evening. im frustrated but cannot help but think this is a sign that school is not right for me at this point in my life. i know that my kids come first, but im feeling this sense of urgency to get through school so that i can help with the income. but, it just isnt coming together. then, i wonder if the hours as an lpn will work with the family too....7am-3pm or 7pm? i literally have no one that can take my kids to school for me. do i just give up?

kythe, LPN · Jan 24, 2008

Check out the AZ childcare resource and referral site:

http://www.arizonachildcare.org/

I have found in-home providers that work extended hours, and some do child care 24/7. When you have odd or irregular hours for clinicals, you may be able to find someone who can accomodate.

I have also left my kids with neighbors who are stay-at-home moms. I live in an apartment, so the close proximity makes this easier. Other kids in the neighborhood go to the same school, so there have been mornings when I have arranged for a neighbor to bring my kids to school along with hers. This helps when clinicals start at 6:30am, but the before-school programs don't start until 7am. :icon_roll

During one clinical rotation, I actually traded child care with a classmate. We had our clinicals on opposite mornings, so I took her child to school when she had clinicals and she took mine to school when I had to go early in the morning.

It is very hard work getting through school with a family, but it can be done. Hang in there, and good luck. :)

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 24, 2008

I really think that you should not give up. Did your classes start, yet? If not, then, this is the time to plan ahead! You'd be surprized of what can work out, how the universe will hear your cry if you are determined enough. Maybe you can see if your LPN school has an evening program, so that your husband can possibly pick them up, or ask relatives to help you guys out. Of course, it is hard when you have a large family, or small dependent children. But, you will be in a better position to choose what hours are best, you'll have more opportunites, and you'll be proud that you did this for you! Good luck!

hikernurse · Jan 24, 2008

I went to school with a lot of children and worked besides. You can do it--but you will need to learn to say no to everything that doesn't relate to family and school .

I have found that working 3 12 hour shifts a week is actually easier than having an office job 5 days a week. Nights have worked for me because Dad is home.

You WILL make it through--eyes on the prize .

scallywags · Jan 25, 2008

I could have wrote this myself a few years ago. As a mother of two and the primary care giver for my children, I had to jump through some serious hoops to make it work. Somehow, it all did work out and come together. My school had an evening program. I was able to go to classes at night. On the days where I had morning clinicals, I found a way to have my parents help out or use the after care service at the school. When my parents or husband was not available, I made some phone calls to other parents and found many who were more than willing to lend a hand. In exchange, I would care for their kids during times when I was free.

I now work 8:30 to 5. Enough time to take the kids to school and either my husband picks them up at 3 or they go to after care until about 5:15. The great thing about nursing is that there are many types of jobs and shifts you can work.

Find a way to make it work and don't give up so soon. You will find a way. Good luck!

DaniLPN2RN · Jan 25, 2008

Never give up on your dreams! Sometimes life gets in the way, it happened to me too. I started out in Nursing, then life happened; kids happened. But here I am getting ready to start again ... in March ... :w00t:

I have three boys and wasn't sure how we were going to manage with only one income and my going to school. Well, it took a little time, but it worked itself out. [i can't take all the credit for it working out though, my mother-in-law is moving from Indiana to Florida to live with us for the 12 months I will be in school, so she gets credit for a portion of my dream finally coming true.]

No matter what happens in your life ... NEVER give up on your dreams! You have to find a way and determine what sacrafices may need to be made in order for your dreams to come true. Just because you are a Mommy doesn't mean that you have to give up your dreams or what you want out of life. Before you were Mommy, you were a person too!!

And, what better hours than to work while your kids are in school and be home with them most of the time. I would think that 7a-3p or 7a-7p would be wonderful shifts. Personally, I'm hoping for the 7-7 route myself!

Good luck!!!!!

Dani

mrsraisinkain · Jan 26, 2008

[i can't take all the credit for it working out though, my mother-in-law is moving from Indiana to Florida to live with us for the 12 months I will be in school, so she gets credit for a portion of my dream finally coming true.]

Now, that is an AWESOME m-i-l!! Of course, I wouldn't mind moving from the midwest to Florida very much... LOL

But, to the OP, most of the people who have gone through nursing school have had to overcome some sort of obstacles to get there. I had to drop out of LPN school ovr 5 years ago because I got pregnant and couldn't handle the physical aspects of nursing at that time. But here I am 5 years and 2 babies later ready to go back again (starting in April). I think the key here is just to utilize each and every resource available to you. There are a lot of people on this board that are willing to give you advice and point you in the right direction. You can't be too proud to ask for help!! It may feel awkward now, but just think how much you will be benefitting your family and YOURSELF when you are a nurse!!!!!

MamaGyrl · Jan 26, 2008

Hello there. Believe me YOU CAN AND WILL MAKE IT!! I have been in your shoes also believe me. I am 26 and a mother of 2. My son just turned 5 and my daughter is 3 (will be 4 on 4/11). So you can see that I did and still do have my hands full with 2 children who are a yr apart (Yeah, I know what was I thinking). You just have to set your mind to doing it and believe me things will work out. I made up my mind to go to LPN school about 3 yrs ago. I had no idea at the time how I would work and take care of my children, but thankfully it has worked out. I began LPN school May 2007 and will be graduating June/July 2008. When I finally decided to REALLY go to school, I had a nice job, but I wasn't happy with my life, so I had to be the one to make the change. Ironically I got fired from my job Jan 2007 so that forced me to follow the dream that I set for myself long ago. So I took one day to go register for the LPN school and take the pre-entrance exam. At the time neither of my children were old enough to go to school so I knew that would be a little bit of a problem also, but I always told my kids dad about wanting to go back to school and he has always helped me in any way he could. When I got accepted into the school my children started daycare (more money I really didn't have but had to make it work) my kids dad would take the kids to daycare and pick them up and care for them until I got home and sometimes kept them so I could study, but now the daycare offers before and after school care. Oh thankfully I received unemployment from the job I got fired from for 6 months so that's what I had to make good use of. When my unemployment ended in July 2007 I applied for and got a job at a local hospital in my area. My LPN school is in DC and I live in Maryland so that is another obstacle that I am still tackling, but life is all about challenging yourself to prove a point to no-one but yourself. My son is in Pre-K now and the daycare still picks him up in the morning to take him to school and picks him up after school and even helps him with his homework and my daughter still goes to the daycare. I am in Med/Surg II and it has not been easy for me at all, but well worth it. I know if I can do it anyone can and it will also allow your children to see you following and accomplishing the goals you have set for yourself and believe me that is a priceless lessong to teach children. So just make up your mind to really do it and DO IT!! Things will work out just keep pressing on!! Good luck to you!! I know you will make it...I don't hope you will, I KNOW you will!!

:balloons::biggringi----->that is your CONGRATULATIONS even before you start....You can do it!!

sassiebaz · Jan 26, 2008

I know I will be able to do it when the timeis right, but right now is NOT the time. My husband has to leave for work at 4 am and I have no family around to help. So, taking 3 kids to 3 different schools is just not going to happen by 7am. That's ok though, I will keep working on my pre-req's and keep working part time. I'd like to get my CNA this summer and I can leave my 2 older kids home (13 and 11) and still get my toddler to daycare in time to be to the CNA program. That'll work for now. When everyone is older I will focus on getting my LPN and then possibly onto my RN....I withrew from the two LPN programs on Thurs. as I just couldn't get it to work. I also hear those programs are particularly intense and need you to be flexible(5am-11pm in some cases) and Im not that flexible. While I understand the demand while in school, it just doesnt jive with my life right now. Im ok with that though. Im only 32 and I need to do what's best for my family right now. In 2-3 years what's best may be going into a fulltime program...thank you all for your support, it does mean alot to me!

HeartJulz · Feb 4, 2008

It is def. possible! I have just one daughter and she is older now, but I have no family here and my hubby died in a MVA in 97. I kinda got dumped out here in CA, which wasnt supposed to be how it was.. but I took what life was and made something of it. Now here I am w my AA degree, I was a CMA and Phleb. for 5 yrs and just finished nursing school last Nov and will be taking my NCLEX in just a few days. To top ot all off I bought a house on my own 4 yrs ago. So, with help or not.. somehow you have to jump through all those hoops and make it happen.. life is hard, but we are here for so short.. go for what you want!! good luck!