Nursing school and children....

memphispanda, RN · Mar 2, 2003

I have three children and a husband also. I'm not sure who makes the most mess.

My house usually looks like several families of orangutans have been visiting. I try to keep filth down, but the clutter usually wins for the short term. If I can't stand to be around it, I pitch a fit at someone and then go off to my bedroom and study. Or I go to school and study.

When I get out of school, I'll have a maid come twice a month or something. But right now, it's just got to wait until breaks.

You can try making it a bit easier by using disposable everything so you don't have as many dishes to deal with. My kids are eating a lot of chicken nuggets, cereal, and ramen noodles because there isn't much time to cook and clean up. They are surviving. Also, get as much stuff taken care of before you start school as possible. Clean up, clear out. Buy the kids schools clothes and be done with that for a while. Plan ahead.

You can do it, you just have to put your mind to it and manage your time the best you can.

Robin61970 · Mar 2, 2003

You just have to let things go....it's hard I know, but it has to be done. I use paper plates and cups to cut down on dishes and use lots of Kid Cuisine and such.....quick and easy stuff.....house is always a mess, but someday i will have a maid,lol

Rena RN 2003, RN · Mar 2, 2003

excellent advice so far. disposable when you can. one dish meals as often as possible. take out will become a good friend.

as far as the cleaning goes, you'll either (A) be up half the night trying to keep up with it and you'll wind up mad or (B) you'll just have to learn to let it go until you have a day off work/classes or spring breaks etc.

but i do find the ocassional "yell at the hubby" speach does get him in gear for a bit (getting ready to have one of these in the morning ). i also assign chores for the oldest to help out a little more. even the 3 y.o. has "chores" that he must do everyday.

and then when you are at your very wits end because EVERYTHING is driving you crazy, load the kidlets up and enjoy an afternoon at the park doing some awesome quality family time. :) because let's face it, when we are on our death beds do you really thing some of our last words are gonna be "i wish i had cleaned more." ????? nope, didn't think so.

good luck on getting that acceptance letter.

jenac · Mar 2, 2003

ashemson- my kids were 11 and 3. My husband- God bless him- isn't much of a housekeeper. It drove me nuts at first to see how bad my house would get. By the weekends- it was tornado central! I would try to keep up with it all- but it never worked. You learn to overlook things- and get as much help as you can. The rest will wait untill you have time (something I never had enough of!) I guess the best advise I have is to prioritize- it meant more to me to spend time with my kids than to scrub the house every day. I cared more about hearing about how my kids day was than running the vaccuum. The laundry got done on weekends. I'd cook double meals on the weekends and freeze them to use during the week (and PizzaHut was on speed dial...)If it got real bad- I'd pay my kids extra to help out. Everyone pitched in.

Going to school and raising a family is very difficult- but not impossible. You can do it! Good luck!

DebsZoo · Mar 2, 2003

We have 5 still at home 12-17 years old.

The older they are, the less they seem to want to pitch in.

I have accepted the fact my house will not be as I want it. We use papaer plates alot, the dishwasher holds a good load, so I can start it right before heading off to bed.

I figure as long as my husband isn't complaining, and supporting me in my studies, we can get through this time.

The house will still be here after I graduate and during breaks I can hoe alot out. Summer time will be some MAJOR cleaning time....................it will all be worth it in the end :)

DebsZoo · Mar 2, 2003

Originally posted by DebsZoo
We have 5 still at home 12-17 years old.
The older they are, the less they seem to want to pitch in.
I have accepted the fact my house will not be as I want it. We use papaer plates alot, the dishwasher holds a good load, so I can start it right before heading off to bed.
We have a night or two that we eat quick fix stuff, or even an occasional pizza night. Our local pizzeria knows us by voice

As far as the kids, they understand my attention and focus is them first........but not 24/7 right now. On my days off, if not tests to study for, I try to make a point of spending time with each one individually (not always successful), or just have one of them ride along when I run errands...............road trips make a great time for one-on-one conversation.

I figure as long as my husband isn't complaining, and supporting me in my studies, we can get through this time.
The house will still be here after I graduate and during breaks I can hoe alot out. Summer time will be some MAJOR cleaning time....................it will all be worth it in the end :)

Sorry foldks............................musta hit quote instead of edit :imbar

Mkue · Mar 2, 2003

A dishwasher really helps too. Sometimes we have a group "clothes folding session" and that's a lot of fun. My kids are 13, 14 and 20, only the two youngest are still at home. I think time management is the key.

Good Luck, let us know when you get the letter !

mkue

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 2, 2003

Ughh I can understand. I have a 5 year old and a 14 month old and husband as well. My house is never truly clean, the weekends me and DH both take an hour or two (we have a small apartment) and clean it top to bottom...the rest of the week we just do what needs to be done (dishes, etc).

I have had to learn to not freak out and just do the basics around the house. People that come over to visit know I am in school with 2 small kids and sorry I just cant do it all, they understand and sometimes will do a sink full of dishes for me or load the dishwasher! And dont be afraid to ASK for help if you need it. Since we live in a apartment we have to do all our laundry at the laundry may which I rarely have time so sometimes I will drop it off over at my moms house and she is happy to help.

You can do it and let us know if you get accepted!!! I am applying to get in next January (I only have 3 more classes of pre reqs after this semester!) so I am worried about it all as well!

marilyn

ashemson · Mar 2, 2003

Thanks, really great ideas everyone! My house is NEVER spotless, but clutter drives me crazy! I guess I should just get used to it, right!?

xantha31669 · Mar 2, 2003

Oh my goodness, I could have been writing your post! I have a 9, 5, and 4yo and my DH is the ultimate slob! I just do what I have to to get by, we eat a lot of things cooked on the grill with things like rice a roni for side dishes. My kids do not participate in any activities. My house always looks like a hurricane hit it, but everyone knows I am in school, and if they don't like it then they can not come over! The kids are fed, and clean, and have their homework done. We all have clean clothes to wear, clean dishes to eat from, and we don't stick to floor most of the time! I do delegate some things to the kids.. We have made it thru three years of school and survived, you will too!

Once we get all the bills paid off I want to have a maid come in every other week to do the things I hate. Maybe even once a week, who knows!

Good Luck! Just keep your eye on the prize, it will all be worth it in the end.

Lori

TeresaRN2b · Mar 2, 2003

I have a 10, 6, and 3 year old boy and an almost 2 year old girl (plus baby 5 on the way). Here are some things that are working for us.

1. CROCKPOT! It is my lifesaver. I bought a "Fix it and Forget it" cookbook and use that for dinner probably 3 times a week. We do take out once a week and then dh picks up once or twice a week or I cook once or twice a week. He is going to school too so he is pretty understanding and helps as much as he can.

2. My kids I have been training to help. My 10 year old does the dishes at night. My 6 year old clears the table and takes all the laundry down to be washed. We have gone the route of they have to earn their tv and computer priviledges so if they don't help they don't watch tv or touch my computer. My 3 year old is in charge of picking up all the toys in the livingroom.

3. Sometimes you just have to let things go. Catch up when you have time. Things aren't going to be perfect while you are going to school.