How is NS with having little kids?

mrsboots87 · Feb 18, 2014

I depends on your motivation and your support. I don't work, and I have a husband who understands that when I need to study, he needs to manage the kids. I also don't cook every day, only maybe 3-4 times a week and rarely clean anymore. Hubs has had to pick up those chores as well I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. The 1 year old is very clingy, so without my husband, I would get no study time until she went to sleep, and at that point I would want to go to sleep. I honestly don't know how I would do it if I were a single mom, or a working mom, or EEKS....both. Hats off to the ladies who can. There are moms on here working full time with multiple littles, and moms similar to me who don't work and either hae or don't have husbands/boyfriends. We all make it work in our own way.

For me, the hardest part is missing out on snuggle time. I still make time for my children of course, but its tough sitting in the room studying when they are out giggling an playing. You just have to want it bad enough, and manage your time. I make a schedule with study time, class time, and family time all incorporated into it, and I try to stick as close to the schedule as I can. It has taken away a ton of stress have a physical schedule to look at and know what each hour is allotted for.

RunBabyRN · Feb 19, 2014

It can be tough. I'm about to graduate, and my son is now 5 and in kindergarten. My husband works from home, and my in-laws are next door, so we're well set up for me to be in school. The house is a disaster, and I don't get to cook nearly as often as I used to (especially now that I'm precepting on PMs). I fit in time with my son (and husband) where I can. I know that this is for a greater good, and that this is time-limited.

I talk to my son about what I'm doing and make the most of our time. We go to the beach when we can, go for runs together, go hiking, play Uno, etc. I put him to bed on the nights I am home. I take him to school as often as I can.

rngraduate2014 · Feb 19, 2014

It can be done. I have four ages 16,15 (ugghh hormones) 9 and 5 (before care issues). I would say that no will become your favorite word and it has to. You will need your families support because the need to study is not optional. No one except someone that has gone through the program the dedication and perseverance that it takes. You will learn to prioritize, and delegate. I also kind of work 3 prn jobs after the 1st semester (student nurse, medical assistant (call center) and SI instructor. However in this last semester I do the bare minimum because of the almost daily assignments.

You can do it, don't give up and good luck!!!!

iwant2b1 · May 9, 2014

Let me just encourage you by saying "You can do it!" (in my Rob Schneider voice) lol!!

I know this because I do it. I don't want to sound cliched, but I hope you get the point. For me the most important thing was having a good support system. I'm married to a wonderful woman (for 20 years now) and we have 5 kids. 4 boys and 1 girl ages 19, 18, 15, 12 and 10 ( my princess is the baby). My wife works and so do I and therefore we share the responsibilities around the house, along with our kids. We assigned duties and chores to all the kids, so that helps out a great deal. We also taught our two oldest how to cook and they pitch in there as well.

I say all of that to let you know that it can be done. You just need a good support system and to get everybody to pitch in and help.

GaGeek · May 10, 2014

Ditto what they said!

I have two kids; 4 and 2.5. And my husband works on the railroad and is out of town a lot and has no schedule to speak of, so I can't rely on him to be around. So, like the guy above me said, if I can do it, YOU can do it!

Truth: managing daycare for the kids is my biggest stressor. When clinicals start at 6:30 am (and I live in the suburbs and have to account for driving time), I have to worry about what time I need to drop them off at daycare and if my husband isn't home to help, that would be 5:45 am. If you have family to help, that's awesome! This may not be an issue for you at all. But if not, I recommend calling around and interviewing daycares now. I had the best luck with in-home daycares; something I would never have considered if I hadn't found myself in this situation. If you find yourself in the same predicament, I recommend state certified in-home daycares. Then at least you have a little comfort knowing they are inspected periodically.

The next hardest thing for me is having less time with my family. My kids are definitely needier now than they were before I started the program. I try amend that by including them in my study time. I got them their own leapfrog tablets and they can "study" with me. My 4 year old practices reading, or I set them up with crayons and paper and we all hang out. This only works for me because I really use those daycare hours to dedicate to class and studying.

And like the others said; my house is trashed. There's books and paper everywhere, dog hair building up, dirty dishes sitting in the sink, laundry has reached a whole new level of "mountain"... The husband picks up a lot of slack and is really great about helping out (I don't cook at all when he's home! I don't clean either. Poor guy).

You'll find your groove. You will have to make sacrifices and adjustments. If you aren't ready for that, now might not be the time. For me, I don't want anyone coming to see my house anytime soon and I do just about tear my hair out over daycare hours; but otherwise, I absolutely love class already, what I'm studying is fascinating, labs are hysterically fun, and I'm like a kid in a candy store during clinicals. If nursing is something you are really passionate about, the sacrifices won't seem nearly as bad :-)

SmYle4PeDs, BSN · May 10, 2014

Wow!!! Thanks so much for the detailed advice, I GREATLY appreciate it. I have a great support system. My husband, my mom and my 16 year, soon to be 17. My 4 year old will start transitional kindergarten in September, which is from 8 am -2:30pm. My mom or my husband will drop him off and pick him up. My mom will watch my 1 year old (although I haven't told her yet..lol) she won't mind though. I will have to learn to manage my time wisely, which I do have a hard time with :)

Smyleern2b walking by faith :)

RookieRoo · May 10, 2014

I'm starting school Monday with an 8yo and 1yo. My wife is amazing and works while I quit my job to start school. it won't be easy, I know, but I know that like everyone else on here we will just have to find a way to make it work! Good luck to you, fellow-pre-nursing-student-and-mother-of-littles. :)