How do you study with a baby?!?

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Hello all! I'm a first Qtr NS and am having a hard time finding time to get Hw done, read and complete all the activities for my classes. I have a 9 month old and everyone that offered to help watch him (my hubby watches baby while I'm at school and then goes to work) when I got into NS seems to be MIA now that I'm in! I've never gone to school w a child and not used to not being able to study for hours on end. So to all the parents out there w little ones and are in NS or graduated...how did you study and when???? I feel like I never have time with him and class and working 2 days/week!

Ive had this same problem the past 2 years. I was told by my family/son's father they would watch him whenever I needed help. First time, everyone said they were busy. 2nd time, once again everyone was busy. I stopped asking.

I just stick to my old regular plan of studying at 10pm at night, when the 2 year old is asleep :) it sucks but hey it's the only option.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
HAHA!! well, wait till you experience the joys of Caillou and his nonstop whiny voice :) You will be BEGGING for the 'Fresh Beats." :D Good luck to you!

AAAAAAAAAAAh I HATE Caillou!! I feel like he teaches children to whine!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

And it doesn't get better either as they grow older. At 2 years old, my son doesn't play by himself as much as he should. He always wants me to join in. So the whole 'study while he plays' doesn't work like people have advised me to do!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Honestly, you can't really ever try to when the baby is up. The only time I study is when someone is watching my kids. Its very difficult though. Instead of ever even having a breather when someone can watch my kids, I study. Its exhausting but I have no other choice. My kids are very little so this is my only option. I try to study at night ut find I don't retain much because of just being too tired. I think you just have to use the little bit of free time you have to study and make the most of your study time :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in OR.
And it doesn't get better either as they grow older. At 2 years old, my son doesn't play by himself as much as he should. He always wants me to join in. So the whole 'study while he plays' doesn't work like people have advised me to do!

This is ABSOLUTELY the truth. I have three children 7, 4, and 2...it is MUCH easier getting things done when you have more than one child, normally.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's going to be hard, but you'll get through it. I had my daughter now 8 when I was pursuing my first undergrad degree. I was completely spoiled because she was the most perfect baby. I was also able to put her in daycare. I would go to school, come home around 2-3 pm. Study (made dinner, laundry, etc.) until I had to pick her up around 6:30. Came home fed her dinner, played for a little, bath time then bedtime. After she would go to sleep (by 9pm) I would study for a couple more hours then go to sleep. FAST FORWARD.........

I now have 2 yr. old twin girls and I started working on my pre-reqs when they were about 5 months. Honestly, I thought it was hard back then, because they were still waking up through the night, and I thought they were more needy. My husband and I took a beating during those days. But they slept more during the days (two naps). However, this last spring semester when they were 2 yrs old, has by far been my hardest!!! I thought it would get easier as they got older, BUT they are even more needy now. Some people don't believe me and think that just because they are twins, they will have a companion that will keep them occupied....they have each other to count on as a play mate... WRONG!!! LOL!!! And, it is not the same as having kids back to back either because they are on the same developmental level which makes it worse. One of them isn't older to understand or try to be the "bigger" one. My twins are the definition of a "love-hate" relationship. They love hard, and they fight hard. It drives me crazy! I have kept them out of day care because I was home (and going to school part-time) and my husband works from home. They are always fighting for my attention, always wanting something to eat, just typical 2 yr olds.:hpygrp: I won't even get into the potty training stories... I literally only had time to study after they went to bed. If I tried to study during the day, it was interrupted by someone screaming, poop being put somewhere it is not supposed to be, creating crayon artwork on my walls, plastering a whole bottle of lotion all over themselves, etc. I would stay up until about 2 am, and schedule study time during the day 3 days a week based on my husbands schedule. My husband and I were on a strict schedule which helped out a lot. I am currently on standby to start NS in Jan., but if I get in....they will be going to day care! Thankfully within the last month or so, they have actually started to like watching TV. My 8 yr. old's Dora, Diego, and Blue's Clues DVD collection has become priceless. They are in the Dora phase now. I must add how funny it is that my husband knows all the songs to the shows on Nick Jr. I wish you luck!

Like a previous poster said take every moment you can to study. There is nothing wrong with spreading toys all over the floor to keep him occupied. If he is walking, barricade a room so he can't get into much. My oldest was pretty good with entertaining herself, as she got older she started to pretend to study while I did because that's what she has seen Mommy do since she was born. Invest in some sugar free lollipops, that should keep him occupied for a while too. This is just a little hurdle, you will be fine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, progressive care.

I do not have kids, but I also suggest having a regular routine. and maybe you can have some play time during your study breaks?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have tests every other mon so i just cram all day sunday before the tests while the girls are at church with my aunt, its not the best solution but its been working this far

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Time management is one of the most difficult aspects of nursing school and a critical aspect of being a nurse (according to all the nurses we've spoken with). It seems like in each quarter of nursing school, they throw in a little more complication that makes time management even more critical and even more difficult to manage.

For me, I have plan A, then plan B, and sometimes plan C for a routine that could potentially change.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

when my little one was about that age i went down to the local senior citizen center with her and told all the cooing old ladies (and some old men) that i needed someone to sit with her for two hours a day. one asked, "what's her birthday?" and when i told her she said, sighing, "that was my wedding anniversary." she watched her for the better part of two years, three days a week, from 8:00 to 10:00, for a little unreportable cash to supplement her pension.

daycare will be your best friend. if you aren't already on the wait list do it now. it's also really good for kids to be with other adults and kids-- they learn "take turns, share, wash your hands..." and potty training goes faster with peer pressure. :yeah: i know it costs money, oh, how i know-- one year i spent half of my pretax income on daycare for the two of them-- but do it anyway, take out a cheap loan if you have to. you can pay it back when you graduate.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment