Going to school when you have kids?

Despareux · Jul 28, 2010

I have a 4, 7, and 16 year old who all are involved in school and church activities. My husband works the afternoon shift, so he isn't much help with the kids, chores, cooking, transportation, etc..during the week.

You adjust very quickly. If being an RN is your priority and taking care of your family is your priority, then you will make it happen.

KristeyK · Jul 29, 2010

While I haven't started my actual nursing progra yet, I have been working full time while taking full time classloads. You just deal with it. You will get VERY good with time management VERY fast. I played with my son from the time I got home until bedtime- and I am VERY strict with bedtime. I study from 8pm until midnight or 1am, then get up at 6am and do it all over again. (Husband does the morning routine for me, which helps a LOT.) On weekends, I get up early and study before the boy wakes up, then spend a few hours with him and let daddy take over while I study for a few hours. (The amount of time I study depends upon how long I need.) It has not been an easy balance to obtain, but it was done and I know it will only get harder over the next two years for me. However, I want to be a part of my little family, so I will find a way- just like you will.

yesitslaura · Jul 30, 2010

Priorities! Housework gets put on the back burner for awhile. My 2 main goals are to study, and quality time with the kids. So I cram in as much quality time as I can. Multitask! While I am cooking dinner, or running errands, or anything when I can have the kids attention, we have a constant dialouge. If they are busy playing or whatever, then I am reviewing notes in my head.

A strict schedule helps me a lot. Bed, bath, naps and dinner are always at the same time. I study when they sleep, or when they are at church, or soccer, or whatever. Hubby only gets about 2 hours a week of my attention, but he is mature enough to live with it for now, lol. Your oldest one can be taught to put away his own dirty clothes, and pick up his toys, and think it is a fun game!

Yours are so young, I would consider joining a group like Awanas,or just a regular church service where you can have them in the nursery for a little while to interact with other little ones their age. A change of scenery can be refreshing.

Something else I do is walk for 30 minutes a day, no matter what, and blast my ipod. The exercise clears my head, and its just kind of "me" time. Yours could be a bubble bath, or a glass of wine, whatever... just dont forget to take a break for you every now and then. But I know you can do it! This too shall pass!

45whenimdone · Jul 31, 2010

I have a 1, 5, 7 and almost 9 year old. Husband is a 4th year apprentice and he has class x2 nights a week. To say put the "housework on the back burner" is an understatement! Like a PP stated, School, kids, hubby, housework... (if). I usually have 20 loads of laundry to do in a 2 day span... that's just washing... folding and putting away is a BIG IF!!! I take 14 units a semester, haven't even started a Nursing program... just trying to hurry up and get in one. Can it be done? Yes!!! Keep the goal in mind. Remind yourself daily that is what you want. put up pictures of schools you want to go to; places you'd like to visit one day; anything to motivate you espcially in times of doubt, because you will doubt yourself. Then you go on. Good luck. Don't give up.

Mezabeth · Jul 31, 2010

My kids are 6, 4 and 2 years I also have a 6 week old. I took the summer off. Boy am I glad I did! But classes start up again in 2 1/2 weeks and im nervous but I will make it work! I do not work though so that helps but I do homeschool my 4 and 6 year old so I have to make sure I get there schooling done as well as mine. I plan to have a schedule for their schooling and mine and hope to stick to it as much as I can while also caring for my newborn and 2 year old. I will use most of my free time (being late at night and random minutes during the day) to study study study. I did this before and it worked well.

My suggestion is to have good time management. Remember, do your very best and its all you can do and you will have no regrets!

Also, dont forget to remind yourself often WHY you are doing this.

GL and congratulations on your pregnancy!

hayleyh31 · Jul 31, 2010

I am starting my science pre-reqs at the end of August and I have a special needs 4 y.o. as well as a 2 y/o and 9 month old. I did just leave my FT job in order to go back to school, but I'm hoping that having a structured routine will help maintain my sanity while I'm trying to study. I am anticipating long nights after my kids go to bed. It also helps that my husband is very supportive of my dream to become an RN and is willing to help as much as he can. The first time I went through college and graduated, I had a baby in between my Sophomore and Junior years and managed to graduate on-time with an almost 2 year old and 8 months pregnant, so I know it's possible. I just hope that I can be as dedicated as I was the first time.

anonymousstudent · Jul 31, 2010

How is your support system? Does your husband help out a lot? Do you have family friends you can call when you need it? Is your family close by to pitch in and help? Do you actually ask for help when you need it?

If you are committed to it, are willing to put in the work, and have the support of others to help you get there, you will be fine. It will be hard. You will constantly be tired, and feel like there is no end in sight. But you will be able to do it.

I have 3 kids, a 3 yo, a 22 mo, and a 10 mo. If I can do it mama, so can you. Good luck! :)

witty_online_moniker · Jul 31, 2010

I'm still plugging away at the pre-reqs, but with good time management skills and a reliable support system, you can be both a student and a mom. I work part-time (about 8 hours a week), go to school part-time (2 classes per semester, or about 8 credits), I have three kids (5, 2 1/2 and 10 months) and a husband that works 6 days a week. My husband adjusts his work hours to work around my class schedule and I do the majority of my studying during naptime and after the kids go to bed. I don't even bother trying to study or complete assignments while my kids are awake. It just isn't efficient. I find that when I know I have limited time, I work more efficiently. Once a week or so I try to get out of the house to study - it makes a huge difference in my productivity.

The thing that has probably suffered the most from me being in school is my personal free time and time with my husband. Because we both have a lot on our plates, we tend to pass the kids back and forth in order to get our own work done instead of spending time together as a family. Spending time together as a couple is even harder to squeeze in with our current schedules. My house could definitely be cleaner but it just isn't tops on my list until I am done with school. If you go into it knowing that there will be sacrifices made and you are okay with it, you'll get through it just fine. If you have the luxury of taking a lighter courseload, that helps with the school/life/work balance.

Good luck!

jenniepaige · Aug 1, 2010

I am 28 and have a very challenging 6yo, a 4yo and a 2yo. I have been back in school for a year now and yes it is very challenging. DH is gone from 11am-10pm every day and I have no outside help with very few exceptions. Honestly, I would wait until the baby was at least a year old. You are going to be immersed in babyhood and that takes it out of you. The hardest part is time management and feeling like you never have a break and have to run yourself ragged.

It is do-able, but I think with such a little one you might want to think of waiting at least a year. I waited till my oldest was in school. They were all home this summer and I did one easy on line class and it was fine.

I would also say to look at your support network as well and see how much they are willing to help as well.