Balancing School and Family

mrsmommy · Jun 23, 2012

Congrats on your hard work and dedication. I was a single mom for five years and worked FT and went to school. It was tough! But with a great family/friend support system and your dedication you will do great! Take advantage of any resources to assist you from DSS. They can help you with child care and/or costs as well as insurance and other living expenses. Financial aid also. Just keep your eye on the prize, don't make yourself feel guilty and if you mess up or have to take a break it's okay! Give as much reassurance to your child that your still there and if they are old enough talk to them about your plans. Utilize friends and family and even if you can't pay them back monetarily always show your sincere gratitude. They will know you are doing your best. And once you get done with nursing school you can repay them in other ways and/or help someone else out - pay it forward!!I make sure to have special dates with my boys when ever possible even if it's just a picnic to the park and make it all about them. Hugs!! We will be here cheering you on!!

Ree_SoBlessed · Jun 23, 2012

Hey I am also mom. I started off when my daughter was first born because I was still in high school in my senior year so even then it was hard but as she got older and I worked hard because it was just me it became harder. Especially because we have to learn how to balance it all out. I was told its impossible to finish high school and go to college and work and be a single mom. NO THAT'S A LIE GIRL!!! YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TOO!! DREAM BIG BUT ACHIEVE BIGGER! I'm working full time have my baby in day care and is doing night classes and it's not hard because you adjust to it. Plus when u tell yourself this is something you have to do you will do it. Good luck and congrats

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2012

Hi there!

I am a wife and mother of three teenagers. Everyone's situation is different, but when I was working full time, going to school full time, and still trying to balance family, I about lost my mind. I am a self-proclaimed control freak, and it was slowing driving me insane that things were slipping through the cracks.

Then my husband made me realize something.... SOMETHING HAS TO GIVE. This became the mantra in our house (I even wrote it on my dry erase board). What I took this to mean, was I had to give up control of something if I was going to make it. I had to accept the help from my mother-in-law (to make dinners, take my kids where they needed to go). Forgive myself that I was not going to be able to make it to every kid-related function, and start saying NO when my kids wanted to add another extra-curricular activity. I had to accept that my tile floor wouldn't always be sparking clean. Flexibility is my new middle name!!

Malpal23 · Jun 24, 2012

I know how you feel. I start pre-res for fall. But you got to learn to balance you time. Lord I knows I will.

ejm123 · Jun 24, 2012

For me I spend a lot of time away from my son. I have mornings with him and I put him to bed at night. I work during the day and go to school in the evening. He's in daycare until about 5 then one of my parents watch him until I get out of class. It's hard I miss him terribly. My motto for the past few years - its for him. Everything is for him, building a life for him. He's 4.5 now and my goal was to be a nurse by the time he starts school. I'm five weeks away from my goal. The reward of my hard work, missing him and putting things on the back burner will be over for the most part. You just keep your eye on the prize, your dream. At times it may seem so far away but I'm a living testimony that you're time will come and your family will benefit from it. It's made me more aware of time management and working around things so I have more time with him - time management is a very critical thing when it comes to nursing. You will find your groove and what works best for you and your family! Wish you tons of luck and success!

lucretia37 · Jun 25, 2012

It's hard balancing family with school, but if you really want this, everything will fall into place. I was the one who was always in control in my home, but when I made the choice to go back to school, and work, I realized I couldn't do it all by myself as before. The key for me was delegating responsibility, and my husband taking on more in the household. My children are very young still, so they require a lot of attention, so I study once they are in the bed for the night, it is no way I would be able to study with them around me... Lol

Ron_ · Jun 25, 2012

Hi Ciamone, You don't have to be scared because you still have your mom and your grandmom to help you....Also you need to organize very good your schedule in order to make a little time for your son too, but the most important thing for you which has to give you the power to go on should be the day when got the desired degree, so this has to be in your mind all the time. I wish you all the best!

Jmiami · Jun 25, 2012

You have a great support system, so at least that gives you a head up on a lot of other single moms. Try getting a job as a sitter. If you work midnights anyways, you'd basically be sitting next to a pt. observing them for changes in condition while they sleep and assisting them as necessary. You could use this time for studying as long as you don't neglect your pt.'s needs. This would allow for more time with your kids outside of work if your mom/grama could watch them for 8 hrs after you get off so you could sleep. work 7p-7a or 11p-7a, sleep 8a-4p, spend time with kids.

BrooklynNurse590 · Jun 26, 2012

Thanks everyone for their feedback! I have an idea on what my schedule is going to be or what I can handle.. I stay by myself and my son is almost one so I am putting him in daycare while I go to school in the afternoon and I work midnights so my mom and grandmother will watch him at night.. I am a PCA at a group home so my hours are very flexible so I can work around my schedule. I know its not going to be easy but I'm praying this will work out! Thanks ladies and good luck!

Code Red · Sep 4, 2014

Good Luck!! I am not currently a single parent but have been in your shoes... I worked at a animal shelter cleaning cat and dog poop 20 hours a week took care of my then 3 year old daughter and went to a community college for my PN. (Without any support/just me and my baby.. my parents died when I was 18 so I had no one..but if I did it you can do it!) I am now going back to nursing school my daughter is 10 now and I have a son who is currently 5 yrs. Old. I am also a newly wed. (1yr. 4mos. In counting) I often wonder how I will juggle my family life now that my responsibilities have trippled!! I start school in exactly 3 weeks from to today. Idk how and idc but I know it has to be done with God all things are possible!!! Keep your dreams alive WE GOT THIS!! :up: