Thru program w/ children

London88 · Dec 5, 2002

Dianacs you are absolutely right! I have 4 children. I chose to go to CRNA school to provide them with a better future, and not just to better "myself" Perhaps after I hit the lottery I will consider the full time at home "mom" position that was mentioned in some of the other posts. We all have different values as to what makes a good parent and I am going to assume that some of the opinions mentioned above serve the needs of those who are voicing these opinions. I take issue with anybody who believes they have a right to tell me what is best for my kids in terms of my parenting them! Many times I get asked at work "how do you manage to work fulltime, take care of four kids, and study at the same time?" I simply reply that we manage just fine, because it is none of their business how I run my household.

Rhon1991 you definetely can have children and be in CRNA school. When I start clinicals next year i will not be working so that I am available to be with my kids in the evening. There is always the option of the three year route which is what I am doing. I am taking most of the core credits required by the university prior to beginning my clinicals next year. If I did not have children I would have done everything in a two year period. I deliberately chose this route so that I can still be a mother to my kids ( by the way they are doing just fine!). I have a friend who did it as a single parent with three kids. Yes she was stressing out from time to time but she made it. Now she is in a positioon where she can secure a better future for her kids.

N2bate · Dec 5, 2002

Oh boy, I can see where this thread is going. I'm outta here!

P.S - Call Oprah.......

big sweet life · Dec 5, 2002

Qwiggley, Just curious? Do you have children?

Rhon1991 · Dec 5, 2002

London88-where is it that you can go over a period of 3 years?

kittyw · Dec 5, 2002

I'm afraid I'd do my son more harm than good if I was home 24/7.... I'd kill him, go insane, or he'd kill me before the week was out!!! :chuckle

Good luck! Go for it!! ...... I find that it was easier to study when my son was really young, then it got hard as he was a toddler, but has become easier now that he's in kindergarten.

London88 · Dec 5, 2002

Rhon1991

Villanova offers what they call a nontraditional student crna program whereby you take eighteen of the core credits prior to the start of clinicals. Once you begin clinicals you still have to go full time but your load is lightened.

fence · Dec 5, 2002

My wife and I try to work different hours so that someone is always home. But, while working these hours we rarely have time for each other. Who know the right answer? I think if women want to work and pursue higher education power to them. I also think it is more important to spend quality time with children rather than just quantity. Make the time with your kids count. Talk to them take interest in what they are doing when you are home. I think kids are damn resilient and will not suffer ill effect if their parents pursue careers.

One question I have is, what makes this opinion that one parent should be a homemaker valid? Is there research in this area? If so please direct me toward it. I would love to educate myself in this area if I am rearing my children in an inappropriate fashion.

Jimmy

neuromancer2 · Dec 6, 2002

Here's the only study I could find and it only addresses this issue tangentially. The study does appear to be rather comprehensive. If you have time, happy reading.

http://www.nichd.nih.gov/publications/pubs/early_child_care.htm

David Anderson

kmchugh · Dec 6, 2002

Rhon

There are upsides and downsides to every decision we make in life. I guess that's why its called life. There are as many opinions out there as there are people. Bottom line? Do what feels right for you and your family.

For me, the counter point to what has been said by Quiigley and Espresso Girl is where will you and your family be in two or three years if you don't go to CRNA school? Yes, there will be some time lost with your children. But, I have learned that kids are amazingly resiliant. If you explain to them what you are doing, you'll be suprised at how much they will understand, and try to help you out. Especially after you've started and they see that you are still trying to set time aside for them. I've known women who were married with kids who went through the program, I know at least one who had a child while in the program, and I know a number of single mom's who went through the program. All had a number of personal goals that were essentially the same: To provide the best possible future for my kids, and for myself. If your husband is supportive, then school can be fit into your life. And, from the perspective of one who has been there, it is worth it. You will have a bit more schedule juggling to do than single or childless students, to be sure. But you will have your own built in cheering section, too.

There is also something to be said for the example you will set for your kids. They will see that mom wants something, set a goal, and worked her tail off to get there. My two older kids were around 8 or 9 when I started my BSN program, and in their mid teens when I started a CRNA program. They learned from dad that college was NOT party time, and to do well required a pretty firm work ethic. There is value in that lesson.

Bottom line, there will always be those who will tell you that you must sacrifice, or at least postpone, your future once you have children. I'm telling you that it ain't necessarily so.

Kevin McHugh

Rhon1991 · Dec 6, 2002

Thanks for all of your responses. I got a variety of them and thats exactly why I posted to this board, to get just that. I guess those who have done it with children just found their own thing that worked for them, help by spouses, family or friends or just simply found a way. Thanks again. I am still open to any specific thing that worked.

Rhonda

WntrMute2 · Dec 7, 2002

There are part-time programs out there. The one at University of Detroit adds another year to the 27 months. However the load is reduced and time is available to work or spend with kids. I would quess that 2/3rds of our class has children of a variety of ages. Go for it, be willing to accept being pulled in different directions.

iliket3 · Dec 13, 2002

As a new member, I feel like I just regressed back to the Dark Ages. One question for those who feel mom's job is to stay at home raising the children. If mom is staying at home fulfilling those duties, it would bring me to the conclusion that dad is financially supporting the household. Here's that one question. What if something happens to dad? Who makes that house payment, the utility payments, the payment for the minivan or SUV? I have always been an independent woman and now with a 3 month old baby - I am for the first time relying on my husband to support me while I go to school. I am going to be a CRNA because I want to know that I could support myself handsomely and be rewarded with being able to give my child/children the things that I never had. Plus setting a fine example is like icing on the cake.

Don't get me wrong. I'm a survivor, sure I could find ways to manage if something happened. But I am taking this opportunity to pursue a goal and let the rewards speak for themself when I'm finished. I would have to bake ALOT of brownies to beat that.

Theresa