balance b/w home life and school

lisabeth · Jan 28, 2007

I dont let the housework get me down too much. I am not a dirty person, but clutter is a normal way around here. I tell myself it is two years, and then I will be able to focus on other things. I too am in my last semester of pre-requisites, and I am waiting to hear whether or not I am in.

I still make sure I have time for my daughter, even though she is 15, she is still my top priority. School is right under her. I dont worry about a social life, or anything else at this time.

It is hard, but we can do it. It is good that your husband is even a little helpful. Single moms dont have that, so my attitude is...a spick and span clean house will just have to wait.

Good luck

I'm 31, a semester away from starting nursing school and get overly stressed out with my house. I have 2 children 10 and 13, who are not much help and a "wife" I mean husband who really tries but doesn't do such a great job. I know something is better than nothing. I work part time and currently take micro w/ lab and a&p2.
Is it me or is it really difficult to balance everything from house work to school. During semesters I always fall really behind on my housework and play catch up on break with major cleaning and organizing.
It's obvious that schooling is a priority. I do take breaks to do laundry, and pick up. But, it always seem to never be enough.. and it's going to only get worse once nursing starts.
What's your strategy? :uhoh21:

L&D_2b · Jan 28, 2007

I'm 31, a semester away from starting nursing school and get overly stressed out with my house. I have 2 children 10 and 13, who are not much help and a "wife" I mean husband who really tries but doesn't do such a great job. I know something is better than nothing. I work part time and currently take micro w/ lab and a&p2.
Is it me or is it really difficult to balance everything from house work to school. During semesters I always fall really behind on my housework and play catch up on break with major cleaning and organizing.
It's obvious that schooling is a priority. I do take breaks to do laundry, and pick up. But, it always seem to never be enough.. and it's going to only get worse once nursing starts.
What's your strategy? :uhoh21:

I live by the saying "You only see the obstacles when you have stopped focusing on your goal".

With that being said, I have found organization to be the key. I have four children ages 11, 7, 3 and 9 months. And if they weren't enough, a husband too:) I usually get up about an hour and a half before everyone else and study. That is the only time I can usually get "me" time.

Although my husband makes a mess of the jobs I give him, I still give him housework jobs to do. I figure he will either get the hang of it eventually, or learn to live in whatever mess he made today.

My kids have jobs to do too. The older two can set and clean up the table, load the dishwasher, bring the hamper to the laundry room, etc. They know that these are their weekly chores and they must be done if they want their allowance money. It not only helps me out, but teaches them to be responsible as well.

My 3 year old gets his own jobs like picking up the toys and putting them into the toy box or helping me to sort the laundry. He gets rewarded my effort alone.

Your organization "tricks" will come with time. Just keep your eye on the prize and everything else will fall into place.

Good luck!

--Marci

lisabeth · Jan 28, 2007

That is great advice. I dont mean to sound like we dont do anything. We do, but during the week, my daughter works on homework herself most days till almost bedtime. She is loaded almost every night. We do clean dishes, clothes, etc, but honestly, there is clutter, and I try to overlook it cause this semester is going to be tough, and when I get in the program, it will be even harder. Most of our housework house work is done on weekends. :) She is about as busy with homework as I am on weekends, so we have to make time to find some fun things to do also. I just keep telling myself, two years.... hopefully.

I live by the saying "You only see the obstacles when you have stopped focusing on your goal".
With that being said, I have found organization to be the key. I have four children ages 11, 7, 3 and 9 months. And if they weren't enough, a husband too:) I usually get up about an hour and a half before everyone else and study. That is the only time I can usually get "me" time.
Although my husband makes a mess of the jobs I give him, I still give him housework jobs to do. I figure he will either get the hang of it eventually, or learn to live in whatever mess he made today.
My kids have jobs to do too. The older two can set and clean up the table, load the dishwasher, bring the hamper to the laundry room, etc. They know that these are their weekly chores and they must be done if they want their allowance money. It not only helps me out, but teaches them to be responsible as well.
My 3 year old gets his own jobs like picking up the toys and putting them into the toy box or helping me to sort the laundry. He gets rewarded my effort alone.
Your organization "tricks" will come with time. Just keep your eye on the prize and everything else will fall into place.
Good luck!
--Marci

lainith · Jan 29, 2007

I would love to know the answer. I am PreN and only taking 10 credit hours, work part time. I just do what I can when I can. Laundry comes first and everything else has to wait til I have time. My DBF works full time, about 40-50 hours a week so I don't ask him to do much... but next year when I will be in school full time and working part time he is going to have to start doing SOMETHING around the house because school will be top priority over everything except the animals getting fed and taken care of. I ask him to do stuff but he rarely does it, claiming he forgot or he was too busy or was tired.

Jilaweez, BSN, MSN, RN · Jan 29, 2007

It is hard to balance everything...and I agree, being organized is half the battle. I have four kids...12,8,3 & 2 and I have decided to give everyone responsibilities to take some of the burden off. We are starting this now so by the time I start nursing school in the fall our little system should be well established. Right now I keep cleaning wipes in all three of the bathrooms and in the kitchen for quick clean ups. I throw in a load of laundry at night, switch it to the dryer in the morning and fold it while the kids eat lunch. I have also learned to live with a little dirt and save the heavy cleaning for breaks.

MB37 · Jan 29, 2007

I just keep thinking about the maid service I'm going to hire when I graduate and can afford it...otherwise, keep up with laundry and dishes, do the bathrooms as often as I can, and praise DH repeatedly when he gets the urge to clean something else. Otherwise, we live in clutter too and try not to worry about it too much.

edgwow · Jan 29, 2007

It is difficult, but can be done. My 2 boys are your kids ages. I made it perfectly clear that there are times I am available for their nonsense stuff, like their bickering and running them here and there and there are times when my homework is a priority. Make it so there is 1 night a week that the kids can not watch TV and they must do a quiet activity, computer, gameboy, read. and you have quiet time this time in your house to study, catch up on schoolwork. Plan meals ahead and take a Sunday and cook for the week. It helps to have an easy meal that just needs to be heated. On the night before a big test, make grilled cheese and salad so there is less dishes. See if you can get your husband to agree to eat off paperplates most days, plastic, silverware and paper bowls are a time and aggravation saver. Try to get up an hour early every day and get a jump start on your school work. Make sure to get enough rest so you don't burn out. I am an RN 19 years and went back at 39 years old for my BSN and a school nurse certificate. The children will learn too not have your undivided attention. This is OK as they are growing up and we need to cut the strings.Make sure to invite them to your graduation. You will graduate around the same time as your 13 year old. How exciting to be a mentor in this way for your child. Actions speak louder than words. Talk about a positive role model/. Easy? NO WAY!!! Worth it? YOU BET!! Work hard, don't expect the house to be perfect. You will always have time for winter cleaning over holiday break and Spring break from classes. My best advice is.. Don't be too hard on yourself, if you get a poor test grade, how would you handle it with your 13 year old? If he works hard and gets an OK grade, as long as he put the effort forth, it is fine. When you are a nurse, no one will ever ask you, by the way What did you get in school? If we don't get straight A's it only proves that we are human, even though we want to believe we are supermom. Best of luck to you!!!

sillinursin · Jan 29, 2007

Thank you for all your excellent advice! I do have some chores for my daughter (13) my son (10) is useless, my hubby and I try to get him to help out but we're not having any luck. I do have my eye on the prize. I have to say my children have learned excellent study skills from me and I have set such an example for them. Doing well in school is a priority for them. My family always come first, but I have a goal of getting A's so I could get scholarships to help pay for my schooling. My hubby is great after 10 yrs he finally can cook and better than me now.. lol.. I think I will try to get up early and get some cleaning done then (I'm definately not a morning person) and not make myself crazy. My husband is helpful, but usually throws everything out. Good luck to you all and keep the great advice coming.

JaxiaKiley · Jan 29, 2007

I am not a morning person either, but that hour or two in the am is REALLY worth it!!

sillinursin · Jan 29, 2007

I know! I will get my butt up and probably get a lot accomplished in those few hours. Thanks

jov · Jan 31, 2007

My DBF works full time, about 40-50 hours a week so I don't ask him to do much... I ask him to do stuff but he rarely does it, claiming he forgot or he was too busy or was tired.

ya know, you can "claim" the same thing :smokin: