This is a broken record....

Love-A-Nurse · Jun 9, 2002

Forevermomof5

This is a broken record.... 06-09-2002 12:13 AM (1)

Forevermomof5

Senior Member

Registered: Jul 2001

Location: Las Vegas

Posts: 52

This is a broken record....

(Post# 1)

Hi everyone. I hope that everyone isn't getting tired of all of us bragging away! I got my letter today too!!!!

Stephany writes:

Congratulations, Karen!

Kaen wrote:

I feel like doing the dance. I have waited so long for this...I got married after my first year of college and then within the first two years of marriage, had two kids. Now I have been married 13 (whoa...that kinda scared me when I saw that! That's a LONG time!) years and have 5 children - all my own - no step.

Stephany writes:

Congratulations on 13 years of marriage and continue to enjoy your children.

Karen wrote:

Now I finally am able to get an education and it feels thrilling! Has anyone ever been there like me? I do have a question though and maybe could use some advice!

My family and my husband really support me going back to school, in fact my husband threatened me if I quit.

Stephany writes:

What a good support "system" you have!

karen wrote:

The problem is HIS family. My mother-in-law didn't even congratulate me when I told her that I got my acceptance letter. She just said "Oh". Nice huh? He's got 5 brothers and sisters all of which think I am a bad mother for going to school and in their eyes "not fully raising my children". Now I don't have to go to school for financial reasons, my husband and I just feel that it's important for everyone to have an education.

Stephany writes:

Does your husband's family help with the children? If so, can someone else help where they will not any more?

Do they help to pay your bills? Do you need their approval to do it (I know it would be nice if they were excited for you)?

Karen wrote:

Am I wrong or not?

Stephany writes:

Are you wrong for wanting to go back to school? Are you wrong for not only teaching your children but setting an example going back to school?

Karen wrote:

I have excellent children who are academically gifted and have great manners.

Stphany writes:

If they are this way, your going to school will not change it; it should motivate them more when they see you studying.

Do you homeschool them? If so, I could see you wondering how it will be for them outside of your home, but otherwise, if you talk to them as best you can (depending on their ages) they will understand and you will still spend QUALITY time with them.

Karen wrote:

They all think that if I go to school, these gifts of my kids will just go away.

Any opinions? I truly appreciate good advice. Thanks bunches!

Karen in Las Vegas

__________________

Remember who you are and what you stand for

Stephany writes:

Karen, you should know your children better than your in-laws. Do you feel your going to school will change them so much that they will become totally the opposite of "excellent, academically gifted, and mannerable"?

As a mother, I can imagine how you feel knowing that you will not be there for them as you would like but some children can take more than we think they can.

If you have any doubts, then don't do it. If you have faith and the support of your husband and your family and believe in yourself, then go and get what you have been yearning for!

Let the finally decision be yours and the questions are posed to help you decide.

We are here for you, but your husband has given you the go ahead....you can always stop if indeed your children are suffering and needs you home.

MPHkatie · Jun 9, 2002

The way I see it, you will be a very fine example to all of your children of the value of an education and also the value and thrill of going after a dream and achieving it... what way is there to be a better Mom than to live out your dreams and empower your children to do the same. Your kids are little gifted people, your attending school will not affect that. Sounds like some jealousy is going on there. I am apt to wonder what your Mother in law wanted to do but couldn't years ago, and perhaps it is still festering in her. One thing for sure, it is about HER not you. so enjoy it, go to school and love your family and kids. and CONGRATULATIONS;)

Sleepyeyes · Jun 9, 2002

Oh boy, can i relate :)

I have 6 wonderful children. All were grown and out of the house except one when I decided to go back to school and get my nursing degree.

I remembered from Sociology class (eons ago) that the biggest indicator of a child's academic success is whether the MOTHER, not the father, has a college education.

I finally graduated in 2000 and my kids were so proud of me that my eldest is also going to nursing school. My middle daughter got her EMT certification the year I graduated. And my youngest daughter is getting her medical coding certificate now.

They figured, if I could do it, so could they.

So, ignore the naysayers and go for it. It's a huge commitment but it's well worth it. Not only do the kids pick up on a lot of incidental information and healthy habits, but they get a big lesson on perseverance.

And you get some insight into what they go through daily== you'll see cheaters and cliques and inequities. Share how you deal with that on a real=world level.

You'll all learn a lot, and ultimately be closer for it.

Good luck!

subec · Jun 9, 2002

I completely agree with the other posts. You have done a great job with your kids, and what a great example for you to set for them by going back to school. They will only benefit by watching you live your dream and seeing you perservere.

Don't worry about your in laws. They will be the ones wanting free medical advice after you graduate. hahaha

Good luck.

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Jun 9, 2002

Forevermomof5

First I want to say congrats to you! It does not sound like a broken record. You have waitied a long time . just as I did. Almost as many years too. Maybe a couple more for me. Your inlaws: Well that is an issue. I always say this to myself.... If I know I can handle this then whats the issue? I know I am a good Mom. I know I do well in school. I know my children are smart and will continue to be smart even when I am getting my education. My children are raised by Myself and their dads...(second marriage) We all work together and we do a fine job. Proof of that is two honor roll students who are dancers,instrument players and all around kind, compasionate human beings. What more can you ask for. Your family sounds just like mine and many others out there. Work hard and remember to have time for everyone. Once your first sememster is past,your inlaws will see how wonderful everyone is doing and they will eventually soflten. If not,you need to remember that you didn't marry your inlaws, you married the man. Your family is what comes first, not the wants of the inlaws. Good luck!

NurseDixie · Jun 9, 2002

Congrats Karen!

Your kids are lucky to have a mother like you. I am 45, have 1 more year left for an ADN. My husband is very supportive ,as is my stepdaughter. You are making a good example for your children. They will see what a hard worker you are.

Dixie

Forevermomof5 · Jun 9, 2002

I just wanted to say thanks. It always helps to have some encouraging words by people who are in the same boat as yourself.

And I know it's true - what matters most is my own family, just my kids and my husband. Everything else is just secondary. I guess it's just nice to have some reinforcement.

Thanks again!

Karen:kiss

KaraLea, LVN · Jun 9, 2002

I think I will join you in that Happy Dance

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2002

Congratulations, Karen !!! I personally like Broken records around here when some say they got accepted into nursing school. That is wonderful news to be very proud of. As far as your kids and what others say. Don't listen to anything negative. Your kids will be just fine. They will see a wonderful role model right under their roof. I am 22 and only have one child but my daughter is already starting to pick up on some good habits and she is only 4. I am single so my parents help me out a great deal. At her pre-school they have homework and she always say mommy I have homework to do before I even tell her it is time for us to sit down and do the work.

I know of someone that graduated from nursing school next May with honors if she make sure she don't slid. She has a 3.8 GPA so I doubt she will slid. She is 26 years old and a single mother of 4 children. She is my cousin and she has lots of family support.

You will do just fine as well as your children. Again CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!

live4today, RN · Jun 10, 2002

GO FOR THE GOLD, KAREN! Whatever you set your mind to, you will accomplish. Your husband is behind you, you are behind you, and your children will support you as well. They'll think it's cool that their mom is a college student. I went to college while raising three daughters, and now that they are adults, they tell me how much my having gone to college to pursue an education meant to them. Because of my taking that step in my life while they were growing up, today they pursue their own educational goals/careers while raising children. As long as you keep your priorities straight and not allow things to come between you and your family, you will have nothing to feel guilty for. Congrats to you! Keep us posted along the way! :balloons: :nurse: :)

jschut, BSN, RN · Jun 10, 2002

HOORAY!!!!HOORAY!!!!!HOORAY!!!!!!

Julie