How do you balance schoolwork and taking care of the kid(s)?

stylishest · Jun 3, 2013

Oh I have to admit I have realized I am not good at managing my time. If she does take a nap in the day, I find myself on the computer or phone. Horrible I know.

^this is key...time management skills. You need to develop the discipline and skills to not let yourself go lax. If you get a moment to study, you must study! Always assume something could get in the way of finishing an assignment on time, so finish everything a day early (give yourself some wiggle room)

Also, your baby will become more self reliant with each passing month, don't rush through it. Babies change so fast, in 6 months he/she will be doing all kinds of new things, like mostly sleeping through the night

I began my prerequisite journey in the last trimester with my third child. He is now two, and I will begin my first semester in nursing school this fall. I made mistakes, but I figured out a system that worked for me. Good Luck!

Clivia · Jun 3, 2013

Been there, I have four kids and as babies they did not want to sleep without me

Few suggestions: Very young babies fall in light sleep first (adults fall in deep sleep, so once we are out, we are really out). A baby takes about ten to fifteen minutes before deep sleep starts. That is when you can move away from them without disturbing them. In the meantime, either enjoy your rest or have a study ook or notes ready so you can do reading while waiting for the deep sleep.

During a feeding, see if your baby wants to take more milk from one breast first before switching breasts, or switch breasts back and forth. I this way, they get more of the fatter hind milk, which slows down digestion, calms the stomach and may have them sleep a bit longer between feedings. But even if you do not switch, they still get plenty of the fatter milk. It is just as if you add a bit a whipped cream to the whole milk.

If you need study time, try to figure out when the longest naps take place. Forget about the housekeeping if you want to give priority to your study. It is hard, I know that from experience. Break down your study materials and chores in the house in tiny bits. Even five minutes of work here and there will give you a sense of accomplishment if you know that you finished the chunk of work completely. Really think in small steps, for instance: I want to get the laundry from the washer into the dryer and have it turned on. That is different than thinking that you want to have the laundry done, folded and stored away.

Carry your baby in a sling or wrap. They sleep longer so you can get things done in the house while they sleep on you.

Learn to nurse while your baby is in a sling or wrap. Saves time, you can do more nursing on the go.

Record your lectures and listen to it while getting around the house, in the car (only one earbud) while trying to fall asleep, while cooking, ironing, you name it.

Relax. They will change and in a few months from now, life looks different again. Hug your baby, enjoy these precious days when they are so small.

babelinglove33 · Jun 3, 2013

I also have very young children (7 month boy and 2 year old girl) and it is tough. often times I have to tell my husband to just "take them away" for a few hours so I get studying done. I allow my self 10 minutes every hour to check facebook, send texts, get up and eat etc. that way I still get all my studying done and a little me time.

Can you breastfeed laying down? I get a lot of my reading time done this way. I take the baby and lay in bed with him, if he's in the bed he'll usually fall asleep and use me as a pacifier and I'll just read for as long as he is sleeping.

Who ever is watching your children while you are in class have them come an hour or two earlier and get to school early for some (hopefully) quiet study time. Or stay late..

Do you work? if so study during your breaks.

Record lectures and listen on the way to work, class, the grocery store.

mwilso2318 · Jun 5, 2013

It does go by fast. Thanks for your advice. I do have a back pack. Believe or not my baby is almost a year, I think I made it sound like she was a newborn. Luckily, she is walking and playing on her own some. Though no longer an infant, Im sure you know at this age still very demanding. But I need to make the most out of the time I have. Looking notes over while shes going to sleep and holding my breast hostage is a great idea lol.

Also I have tried making sure to wait like 15 mins before puttingher down and it does help. It is harder to juggle school with kids esp babies and young children, but they givev you a drive. I dont know how you do it with 4 little ones!

Been there, I have four kids and as babies they did not want to sleep without me
Few suggestions: Very young babies fall in light sleep first (adults fall in deep sleep, so once we are out, we are really out). A baby takes about ten to fifteen minutes before deep sleep starts. That is when you can move away from them without disturbing them. In the meantime, either enjoy your rest or have a study ook or notes ready so you can do reading while waiting for the deep sleep.
During a feeding, see if your baby wants to take more milk from one breast first before switching breasts, or switch breasts back and forth. I this way, they get more of the fatter hind milk, which slows down digestion, calms the stomach and may have them sleep a bit longer between feedings. But even if you do not switch, they still get plenty of the fatter milk. It is just as if you add a bit a whipped cream to the whole milk.
If you need study time, try to figure out when the longest naps take place. Forget about the housekeeping if you want to give priority to your study. It is hard, I know that from experience. Break down your study materials and chores in the house in tiny bits. Even five minutes of work here and there will give you a sense of accomplishment if you know that you finished the chunk of work completely. Really think in small steps, for instance: I want to get the laundry from the washer into the dryer and have it turned on. That is different than thinking that you want to have the laundry done, folded and stored away.
Carry your baby in a sling or wrap. They sleep longer so you can get things done in the house while they sleep on you.
Learn to nurse while your baby is in a sling or wrap. Saves time, you can do more nursing on the go.
Record your lectures and listen to it while getting around the house, in the car (only one earbud) while trying to fall asleep, while cooking, ironing, you name it.
Relax. They will change and in a few months from now, life looks different again. Hug your baby, enjoy these precious days when they are so small.

mwilso2318 · Jun 5, 2013

I also have very young children (7 month boy and 2 year old girl) and it is tough. often times I have to tell my husband to just "take them away" for a few hours so I get studying done. I allow my self 10 minutes every hour to check facebook, send texts, get up and eat etc. that way I still get all my studying done and a little me time.
Can you breastfeed laying down? I get a lot of my reading time done this way. I take the baby and lay in bed with him, if he's in the bed he'll usually fall asleep and use me as a pacifier and I'll just read for as long as he is sleeping.
Who ever is watching your children while you are in class have them come an hour or two earlier and get to school early for some (hopefully) quiet study time. Or stay late..
Do you work? if so study during your breaks.
Record lectures and listen on the way to work, class, the grocery store.

Haha thats a great idea. For every 50mins of studyimg, give yourself a "phone break" I like that. Unfortunately, my daughters father isn't much help so I cant up and go but if I could I would! My mom watches my daughter but also has to work and comes right when I have to leave, but I am working on getting someone I trust to watch my child for this summer (so I can go to summer school for my cna, god willing) and for next semester and I will have them come earlier or stay at school later to get some uninterrupted studying time. Thanks!

i

mwilso2318 · Jun 5, 2013

^this is key...time management skills. You need to develop the discipline and skills to not let yourself go lax. If you get a moment to study, you must study! Always assume something could get in the way of finishing an assignment on time, so finish everything a day early (give yourself some wiggle room)
Also, your baby will become more self reliant with each passing month, don't rush through it. Babies change so fast, in 6 months he/she will be doing all kinds of new things, like mostly sleeping through the night
I began my prerequisite journey in the last trimester with my third child. He is now two, and I will begin my first semester in nursing school this fall. I made mistakes, but I figured out a system that worked for me. Good Luck!

Thanks I do need to make a schedule and stick with it. Haha yea great point I need to finish things ahead of time. The days of finishing things the night before are other : )