Going BACK to Nursing School - need your expert advice!

make time for yourself -- can be done even if you have three kids. mine were trained to stay the heck out of my office if the door was closed and not to open it unless there were actual flames or lots of blood. kids can do a lot around the house, so start them doing it now. a six-year-old can do laundry-- mine did. a nine-year-old can cook hamburgers for supper once a week-- mine did. a five-year-old can make her own pb&j for school lunch, and one for the four-year-old, too-- mine did.

learn not to notice too much about housekeeping but realize it's the clutter that gets you down. pass through each room with a paper bag once a week, picking up as you go, and distribute its contents appropriately. you'd be amazed how little time it takes and how good it will make you feel.

cultivate friends who can trade off with you for an afternoon play date-- she takes your kids this week, you take hers next week. meet a teenager's mom and ask about babysitting.

make like the mayonnaise: keep cool, do not freeze. the best thing you can do for your kids is model healthy study habits and work ethic. they are always watching!