Getting through school with toddler, without daycare.

OCD_Mom · Oct 9, 2009

I start the nursing program on October 19 my orientation is this Monday. I have 2 children; a daughter who is 3 and a son who is 5 and in Kindergarten. I did not have the option of taking an evening program, though would have loved to. I am leaning on the support of my parents and husband. You will be VERY busy in NS as I understand it, granted I am in a 16 month accelerated program, but what you are planning is do able just be able to manage your time wisely and have someone you can have watch him just in case you need sometime to wrap up a paper or study for a test. My husband and parents are splitting Mon-Thurs and then I will try to manage most of Fri-Sun as well as study when they are down. My parents go camping often so I am hoping that they take my kids with them to the cabin a several times so I can really tie myself down and study hard with absolutely no interruptions. Good luck to you and you should be very proud of yourself.

CrunchyMama, ASN, RN · Oct 9, 2009

I have a 5 1/2 year old and a 2 1/2 year old and started prereqs last fall. I started the nursing program this fall. It's been tough but I know it'll be worth it in the end. This semester is a little easier because my older child goes to kindergarten so I'm able to study more. My sister has always watched my kids and sometimes my grandma and I've tried scheduling classes as much as possible on my husbands day off. I'm much more comfortable allowing family. HOWEVER...there's a daycare on campus and it's for 3-5 year olds. My younger one will turn 3 a week before school starts next semester, so I'll be bringing her there. I never thought I'd allow my child to go to daycare but she's picking up some unwanted habits from her little cousin while staying with my sister. So I'd feel better if she wasn't around her so much. So anyway....you do what you think is best and it's great you have such good support. :)

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Oct 9, 2009

I really didn't want to have to put my youngest child in daycare *I have 4 kids* and I avoided it up until I started the actual nursing program. I have no family or close friends around to help. I started nursing school in August and I finally had to surcome to putting her in daycare, we don't have night classes, thankfully I got her into a really great school and she is in the Early Preschool Program (she is 2.5 and was potty trained by 2 so she was able to move up in classes). Anyway, it's expensive, thankfully my student loans cover it, but I am happy with where she is. She is happy as well and is striving more then she already was. This school was the only school that didn't give me anxiety when I went to view it. Anyway, if I could have avoided it I would have tried for at least another year (I was an at home mom for 3 of my kids but always put them into a good pre school program at 3.5)

In our program we can't miss more then 2 clinical days the entire semester or you are dismissed from the program, I was going to try and go the nanny route but if they got sick then I would be in trouble.

Chapis · Oct 10, 2009

I have my husband to help me as well as my parents or his family, but my ns doesn't offer night school so it's not so bad for me, he goes to a nanny, since I work, and even though there are days I only see him in the morning b'c at night when I come home he's already asleep. I don't want to feel bad since he's only 2.5 and he won't remember mommy was gone, and at the end of the day, this sacrifice if for HIM, so any time apart from him, is well WORTH it, and I won't make myself feel guilty for it. It doesn't mean I don't miss him, b'c I VERY MUCH DO, but I don't feel bad or guilty, at least not anymore.

a Big hug to all the mother's in school out there, let's keep our focus on thei prize.