If you have kids, when do you study?

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

Published

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

My boys were 4 and 5 when I started school and I study when they slept or after getting them interested in their own activities. I realize I'm lucky and that every child is different but by about 16 weeks both of my boys slept through the night. They went to bed around 7 after a routine that include bath, story, song, and nursing. Last nursing was before I went to bed at 11pm and they slept till at least 5 am. As they got older the 11 PM nursing time changed and dropped and wake up time got slightly later. I highly recommend routine and sleep training. My children are now 6 and 8 and have never really had any trouble sleeping through the night except for episodes of illness.

Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have 2 kids, one is four, and the other one is almost six but special needs. She wakes up constantly so yep, I put her with me. They go down about 7 and I study till I fall asleep drooling on something. I'm also married, but my husband drives truck so I'm alone most of the time with them. hang in there, You can do it :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hey,

When I was studying a few years ago, my son who was less than a year would cry everytime I left the room, it was crazy.

I found that sitting on the floor in his room helped and eventually he would stay asleep. I am not sure if it would help you with your daughter, but it is worth a try.

Good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.

I have two children, 3 and 15 months. I'm not single, but I'm soon to be. When I have the kids by myself, I do my best to preoccupy them so I can study. Even if I get up every so often, it's better than not getting anything done. Something is better than nothing! Other than that, I just do. I don't really know how I get it done, but I do. lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When my first son was young, his sleep schedule was consistent - he woke at 8am. Everyday but Sunday I got up at 4:50a, make coffee! ..and then studied 5a-8a. Now I have two boys and the younger gets up very early. I have found a job with a lot of downtime (private duty), but I also make sure they are in bed by 7:30p and study til 11pm. I was a single mom but my hubs is deployed. I work full time and have no friends or family in town. It is tough, but doable. I have been taking FT classes for the last year (5 classes). Just stay calm and schedule everyyyyythhhinng. lol ;0)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I second the cosleeping thing. I breastfed my soon-to-be 3 year old until she was 17 months. It's easier to study when they're sleeping next to you then sneak out of the bed. Putting them to bed and leaving the room is something I could never do.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Please teach your little one to sleep in her own bed and to stay there. I have two that are just 19 months apart. There are many techniques but the ones used by the lady the Supernanny Joe Frost, are spot on. This will serve your child well for the both of you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have 3 children ages 7, 18mos, and 5mos. I currently taking 3 classes online and the only time I have to complete my work and/or study is at night after they are asleep. Many, many nights I stay up until 12am-1am to get a lot of stuff done.

Personally, I would not introduce co-sleeping if your toddler is already sleeping in bed alone even if she wakes up several times. I know it can be hard (been there!) but keep going in and soothing back to sleep. Most likely molars are cutting through and it'll take some time.

My toddler went from awesome sleeper to waking up through the night several times for a few months until all of her molars were all the way out (from about 13mos until about 17mos).

Best wishes!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is a great post!! As i am going through the same thing now. I have a 4 yr old, 3 yr old, and my son is 23 months. Im a stay at home mom my husband works from 5:30am-2pm so im up at 5am every morning i get in an hour to an hour in a half of studying before my babies wake up then its a wrap because once they wake up im in non stop GO mood!! Lol. Once my husband gets home he does his best to give me an hr or two to study but more then likely falls asleep all the while im in our room with the door close hearing "Mommy!!" Crash, Boom, crying then 3 sets of little footsteps and study time is offically over!!! Hahaha I have got to come up with a better studying plan!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have an 8 and 5 year old. This is the first year they are both in school so I try to finish all their homework and do dinner and baths before I start my homework. My SO tries to help but must of the time he'll forget part of the homework, so he mainly does baths, and if it's something easy to cook he'll do that. But still, after everything is done and the boys are down before bed I go upstairs and do my homework/study. I only get a hour or two each night but it's better than nothing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mom to a 3 year old here. I work 25 hours a week and I'm taking A&P on campus and a lit course online this semester. My daughter is a total night owl and rarely goes to bed before 9:30 every night...so by the time I've left class and fed her, bathed her, and wrestled her into her crib, I don't have much energy to study. I feel guilty a lot of the time because she does watch videos on the iPad in the mornings while I study so I can get some time in before work. I have a great study group that meets one night a week after class and on weekends when we have a test coming up, fortunately my husband has no problem watching her. It's much easier to focus if I get OUT of the house without her, so I try to make the most of the rare occasions I get to do that.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Mom to a 3 year old here. I work 25 hours a week and I'm taking A&P on campus and a lit course online this semester. My daughter is a total night owl and rarely goes to bed before 9:30 every night...so by the time I've left class and fed her bathed her, and wrestled her into her crib, I don't have much energy to study. I feel guilty a lot of the time because she does watch videos on the iPad in the mornings while I study so I can get some time in before work. I have a great study group that meets one night a week after class and on weekends when we have a test coming up, fortunately my husband has no problem watching her. It's much easier to focus if I get OUT of the house without her, so I try to make the most of the rare occasions I get to do that.[/quote']

YIKES!! I work full-time and have 2 kids and I'm taking A&P 1 next semester with Human Growth. Apparently I'm going to be VERY busy!! I knew I would be, but you just confirmed it! lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment