Any mothers in nursing school with preschool-age children?

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Just wondering how well you cope with it. I have one elementary-age child, but my other child will be in preschool this fall in the a.m. 3 days/week. Outside of that, he will be home with me during the day. I'd love to hear from other mothers who have younger children and how you manage nursing school while taking care of them. It would be encouraging to read that it's do-able!

Thanks, Kayty! That's a big help. I looked up the two books you recommended on Amazon and they both sound pretty alike. How would you say they're different? Right now, because they sound so similar, I'm leaning toward just purchasing the Fundamentals of Success book....

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My son is in kindergarten and my daughter is almost 3 1/2 years. She won't be going to preschool until next fall. I study when she's napping, or at night when the kids are in bed. There are times when my husband takes the kids out when I have a test to study for. It's tough but it's expected. Good luck!!

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I finished nursing school in May and had my (starting) 3 and 4 year old girls through the whole program. I have a great husband, but I must say it was challenging. The girls still want Mom for nearly everything when we're at home! It takes schedules...bedtime, and up time, mostly. I have to also agree with a previous poster that the people in our program who had kids (AND were older than 20) did better than the young 'uns without (and some of the not-as-young 'uns). I personally feel that it is because of the understanding of schedules, prioritizing and maximizing time, and a real desire to get it right. You WILL do well. Stay focused, keep some sort of schedule to have the time you need alone, and forgive yourself, 'cause you're gonna feel guilty for what you feel isn't getting enough of you!! It's only temporary and everyone benefits in the long run!

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Specializes in cardiology, community, school nursing.

I have also recently graduated (May) and my son will be turning 4 next month. I was fortunate enough to have my mother offer to help with childcare from the very start, and for that I am eternally grateful. But, there were times when she was thinking she may need to go back to work (with the economy and my dad losing his job). I started checking into whether or not any classmates had children my son's age. I thought maybe they would be interested in doing a type of child care swap for clinicals and during study sessions. I imagined the added benefit of children being able to entertain one another a little better than being alone.

I didn't end up needing to do it but it might be an option for you. Best of luck to you!:up:

Michele

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Specializes in CVSICU, Cardiac Cath Lab.

I have a 3.5 year old who just finished her first year at preschool. I don't know what I would have done if we weren't able to afford it (only can b/c my mom passed away and left her the $). But...it is doable! My husband is really fantastic and we split up the weekends. One day is my day with her (and him, if he doesn't have any errands or broken stuff that needs fixing!) and the other day, he takes her all day and I just do breakfast and bedtime. I miss her like crazy, but it will be so worth it in the end.

Perhaps one of your classmates will be in the same boat and maybe you can trade some time with each other. Another thing is to kiss TV and reading for pleasure goodbye...for the time being. You can do it--eye on the prize!

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Thanks, Kayty! That's a big help. I looked up the two books you recommended on Amazon and they both sound pretty alike. How would you say they're different? Right now, because they sound so similar, I'm leaning toward just purchasing the Fundamentals of Success book....

Well, the fundamentals success book was more helpful through the semester. It has so many practice questions for each section and you don't really get a lot of fundamentals type nclex questions in the other nclex books. Mainly just med/surg.

So for the price and the use I'd say that one is more beneficial. It does have a couple of pages of info on test taking tips/etc. The other book is full of info on study techniques, test taking tips, time management, etc and goes into more detail into that stuff, but doesn't have as many practice questions. I read through some of it before I started school and I did get something out of it, but I didn't open it back up once school started. Other people I've talked to liked it a lot though. But if you are choosing between the two, I'd get the fund. success book.

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Specializes in Professional Development Specialist.

Perhaps one of your classmates will be in the same boat and maybe you can trade some time with each other. Another thing is to kiss TV and reading for pleasure goodbye...for the time being. You can do it--eye on the prize!

That's a really good suggestion. I also took my kids to McDonald's playgrounds, and other free play structure type stuff where they could play while I read. I looked for inside things so it was enclosed and I didn't have to be paranoid they would wander off. It took some practice to be able to read and study difficult concepts at a McDonalds, but eventually I couldn't study while it was quiet. :lol2: The bonus was they would get tired and take a nap when we got back, giving me more study time.

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I started my BSN program in 2006 when my kids were 3 and 18mo. I was going full time, but was able to spend some time with them through the week and they either went to a nearby daycare or to my in-laws. Even when I was carrying 17 credits I still was home by 5pm and felt like I was able to have quality time with them.

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Thanks for all the feedback! I'm a little unique in that I'm taking an evening/weekend nursing program. I will be in class 2 nights/week and clinicals either 2 nights/week or all day Saturday. This will ultimately not afford me as much free time for studying as a daytime program and daycare, but hopefully between preschool and my husband helping out, I can manage to find enough time to study. Anyone out there manage without daycare/family babysitting? Perhaps I should try to find someone who can babysit my son a couple mornings a week when he's not in preschool....Just trying to set myself up for a successful experience from the get-go.

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I've been taking my pre/co-reqs for the past 2 years. I started when my kids were 7, 5 and 3 and I babsat a 2 year old and newborn.

I studied while the little ones napped and at night after everyone was asleep. I relied heavily on my husband evenings and weekends to watch the kids and give me a chance to study.

I am finishing my last co-req this summer and start my nursing courses in the fall. My timing is working out well because I have stopped babysitting and my youngest will be starting full day kindergarten a few weeks before my nursing classes start. I hope that their school day will give me enough time to study.

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I am a single mom and any free babysitting I get goes to the time I actually have to be in class so the rest of the time is with my kids, studying or not. I suggested a while back the mcds playground bc its been a great tool for me. Another thing I found is that after school, kids, work, and home stuff by the time the kids are asleep, I am practically asleep too! lol so on those nights I go to bed with the kids and get up a couple hours before they do to study. This is just an example of how you can manage practically any schedule if your prepared to work hard. :) Also one more tip for all mom/students out there...get a crokpot (its like coming home to a man who cooks!) Hope this helps! You can do this!

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hi - my daughters are 8 and 4, and my younger one has been in preschool in the mornings since I started NS a few years ago (my 8 year old goes to full day elementary school). I really try to maximize my study time in those 3 hours I have each morning when she is in school, then I spend afternoons with her and study again after the girls go to bed. I am in a part-time, evening/weekend BSN program and I think part-time has been the key for me. I only take 1 or 2 classes a semester and that has been very manageable. My clinicals are on Saturdays and Sundays when my husband is home. We don't have any family nearby, so I have had to get babysitters if my husband has to travel for work or has a meeting on a night that I have class. It's taking our group of part-time students a little longer to finish the program, but doing it this way has been the best solution for me. We graduate in 2012. You will find a way to make it work - best of luck!! p.s. Fundamentals Success book is an excellent supplementary book for Fundamentals, and I used the Saunders book to help with Med Surg. Doing lots of practice questions really helps!

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