If you have kids, when do you study?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Have a 16 month old and am a single mom. The only chance I have to study is at night after she goes to sleep which is fine. But she wakes up so many times during the night and each time it takes 30 mins + to get her back to sleep. The last few nights its been worse I really need to study for a test coming up I really have no one and cant afford to put her in daycare extra days. Im just getting so frusterated and down. I just got her to sleep *prob took about 30 mins and literally 5 mins later shes crying and comes to find me.

I can only imagine how I will fare if I get into a nursing program. Im taking micro now. Its my last prereq : '( I feel like this is a lost cause. Anyone gone through something similar. How are you able to study with kids

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I have three kids. There ages are 3, 8 and 9. Generally, their father helps me with them. I study mostly when my oldest two are at school. During that time, my three year old is more manageable. Have you looked into your school to see if they offer daycare to students with kids? My school does and this upcoming semester is the first time I will be using it.

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This will be an unpopular opinion: But as a single mother, some of the best studying was done when my kid slept in my bed with me, as I studied next to a lamp. Otherwise, he would just keep waking up and hunting me down.

I'm not saying it was the "right" choice, but that was how I did it.

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This will be an unpopular opinion: But as a single mother some of the best studying was done when my kid slept in my bed with me, as I studied next to a lamp. Otherwise, he would just keep waking up and hunting me down. I'm not saying it was the "right" choice, but that was how I did it.[/quote']

It worked so that os good. I notice a trend in co-sleeping. I allowed my first born to sleep with me, he lived!

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I have an 8 year old (which is in bed by 8) and a 12 month old and I coslept for the first 8 months of her life (i was breastfeeding so it was so much easier to sleep with her) and then I sleep trained her at 8 months.. took a week but it was worth it.. I lay her down at 730 pm and she doesn't wake up again till 630 am and when I say sleep trained I don't mean tortured her.. I basically set a routine which became predictable to her.. 630 would be dinner time 7pm is bath time.. we cuddle/breastfeed and then 730 I lay her in her crib and she falls right to sleep.. room has to be dark and I have a sound machine that makes white noise so she doesn't wake up with any other noises.. the first week she cried and i went in every 5 minutes NEVER TOOK HER OUT OF THE CRIB just kissed her shushed a little patted her back and walked out.. she finally realized she wasn't going to get picked up out of the crib... it was the best thing I couldve done for her and myself... babys need 10-12 hours of sleep because their brains r developing so rapidly and she's become a much happier baby... I've become a much happier mommy as well and after 730pm I sit down at the kitchen table and study. Babies love routine.. they love predictability and knowing what's coming up next. Good luck.. if u have any questions please feel free to ask!!

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Hopeful I sleep trained the same way. I have 14 months old, 3 year old and 8 year old along with 15 credit hours. I don't study when they awake as I don't want to give up anytime with them. My babies go to bed at 8 and get up at 6. I study from 8-12 or so then sleep 5/6 hours

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Specializes in Neuro, Trauma, and Psych.

If you haven't already, speak to her pediatrician about why she isn't sleeping through the night and ways to promote longer sleeping. This will help her get more rest and you too! I also co-sleep as others have mentioned. We get in my bed at 8pm. I study while she watches tv until she falls asleep. This way I get to spend a little more time with her and as a bonus sometimes I practice my nursing assessment on her while she sleeps.

My personal experience is the more that I need to study, the more my daughter acts out or becomes clingy (2yo). They pick up on stress so quickly!! Its ridiculous how they act during finals! When I get desperate I give my daughters things to play with that I wouldn't normally give her (ie playdough, finger paint, pipe cleaners etc) These make huge messes but will buy you some study time.

No one can really tell you what's right for you and your daughter, but hope someone posts something that helps. Best of luck to you!

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I know what your going through! I have a 2 year old and I find it hard to study and potty train at the same time. Also I work throughout the week as well. I just got accepted into nursing school and I'm very nervous. I do not study hardly at all right now. I just finished my associates degree and I have never studied at all. I'm afraid I won't know how when I start my program this January

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I have a one year old and a 3 year old and I have to find every opportunity I can to study. I study while they eat, I study while they play nicely, I study while they nap.I can't just study when they sleep or else I'd never get any sleep and I wouldn't be a good functioning mommy during the day. :-) We still do a bunch of activities together, we play, explore nature, and all that good stuff. But I think it's also wise to model good studying habits. My 3 year old loves to do homework too :-) My husband is a huge help as well. Every now and then he'll give me an hour or two hours of study time so I can read my textbooks because my one year old will rip all the pages out of my books when I try to read.

There's a rocking chair in my boys room and I will sit and rock and study while they play in their room. It's actually quite calming and I take breaks here and there to play or just watch them. I actually think I will look back fondly on these times.

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

I personally think co-sleeping is an awesome option. If you are gone from your child a lot during the week working and with school, then it may just be that he/she needs that time with you and needs to feel a sense of security. You can just pat baby on the back to fall back to sleep and it will take so much less time.

I co-slept with my son. I feel it saved my sanity and ability to sleep, because even though I am married, my husband was pretty much no help with night time parenting!

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I agree that looking into school childcare benefits is the best way to go. most times they are located on or near campus which give you a peace of mind. mine offers tuition assistance cutting care half price! I was just put on a waiting list this past week but am 2nd on priority over the rest of the community on list. If you are single and struggle, it may be a task but best to try all options. Best of luck to you.

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I would try when you can to do some study routine practices. ask ppl in allnurses what things you should go ahead and brush up on and start getting a routine. I havent hear of anyone being able to get away with an RN program that didnt study. Best wishes to you and congrats to your getting into the program!!! wish I was already accepted myself. will know in April! :nailbiting:

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