how many of you are mom's also

studentdeb · Oct 8, 2002

I have two children, ages 4 1/2 and 22 months. I find it difficult sometimes to get any studying done. I mostly do mine at night after bed and sometimes at naptime when I can. The only other problem is finding daycare and I am taking that one semester at a time also. Some days, I want to quit but I keep plugging along taking it one day at a time. This is my first semester so I'm hoping once I get through this, I will be more than ready for the 2nd.

Good luck!!!

jenac · Oct 8, 2002

I have two kids, and just graduated this past August. It is difficult to balance it all. I never felt like I was able to give my kids enough time- or my studies enough time. My house was generally a mess, laundry was a mountain and I couldn't possibly find enough time in the day for all I had to do! But- you learn how to proiritize it all. Many times I choose to let the house be a mess so that I could spend the afternnon with the kids. Or had to stay inside to miss my son's baseball games for studying. During finals- Pizza Hut was on our speed dial and Tuna Helper was a stable. I would get up at 3:00a.m. (if a test day) or 4:00a.m. to study-when the house was quiet and I could concentrate, and be left alone. But, in the end- I did it. Sometimes- you have to just admit defet and get an extra hour or so of sleep. You do what you have to do.

You'll be ok. Just remeber- it's not forever. I put my name, with L.P.N. after it, on a card and hung it on my desk so every day I could see it, and remember what it was all for. It is challanging- but than school it's self was challanging! It takes alot of adjustment- and help from anyone at home who can. My 11yr. old would vacuum and help keep my 3 yr. old occupied. He became a master at hide and seek!

Good luck! You can do it.

andrewsgranny, ASN, RN · Oct 8, 2002

It will be more of a challenge for you than for some of the other students. But trust me it CAN be done. I have 3 children and when I went back to school they were 6,5 and 1.

And I worked as well. I use to get upset cause I would hear some of the others talk about that they made themselves a hot bubble bath and studied for hours. And they would ace the tests. And I would pass, but I would struggle. Its defintely a sacrifice but its worth it in the end.

maire, ASN, RN · Oct 8, 2002

My husband is a Godsend to me, honestly. He helps keep the chaos to a minimum while I study and he is learning how to cook, which is an amazing thing. I have 3 children, ages 9yrs, 7yrs and 7mos. If my hubby gets deployed (I am praying that doesn't happen) then it's going to be hectic, but I know it will all work out, no matter how hopeless it may seem sometimes. You just have to believe in yourself and the powers that be and stay dedicated and motivated! :)

memphispanda, RN · Oct 8, 2002

I'm a mom of 3! Birthday's are coming this month and next, but right now they are 11, 5, and 3. All of them are in school and they understand when I tell them I have work to do for school...but it never fails that when I have something I REALLY need to concentrate on someone will get hurt or they will decide to fight. I have started going to school early on the couple of days that I can do that so I can have some quiet time to do the hard thinking stuff. We also have about 90 minutes for lunch on lecture days so I will use that time to study or go get journal articles from the library. I try to do my brain work when they are very occupied with something or asleep. The "crap" work (paperwork that's required but doesn't require a lot of thought) I do when they are up and busy. If they really start getting on my nerves they will get a response from me--I will start reading whatever I am studying out loud. I am starting to struggle this semester...I feel very divided between school and home. My kids aren't getting much time from me, my house is surely suffering, and the days of straight A's seem to be over. I keep reminding myself that this is for the best in the big picture, and that it's not *that* much longer before it will all be over.

meownsmile, BSN, RN · Oct 8, 2002

I am a mom that went through the school process twice. First time in LPN school the kids were 2,3 and 8. The second time for the RN they were 11, 12 and 17.

It takes organization, but hey that will be your best friend after graduation when you get out there in the world of nursing.

I was lucky and my kids understood that the sacrifices we made eventually made their lives easier. Sometimes the kids cant be in all the little extra curriculars they want, sometimes mom cant attend all of them. Pick the important stuff, ask for the kids input as to what is the most important for them for you to attend.

It was easier the second time around, because the kids were older. They were very good about keeping their own schedules for practices, games, lessons etc. They were good about finding their own transportation if needed. They let me know when they needed me to be at something and didnt get bent out of shape when i couldnt. Communication, even with the little ones is the biggest help of all.

jdomep · Oct 8, 2002

I am a mom of 4 boys (6,5,4,2) and organization is a MUST :)

I am first year and it is tough but if you have good study habits it can work. I grab 15 minutes of studytime when I can (More when it is quiet) I keep study cards with me at all times and I tape record my notes and listen when I am driving.

Laundry gets done - dusting doesn't. The boys (and DH) are clean and fed everything else doesn't really matter now. I'll clean on Christmas break :eek:

Good luck and enjoy it!

kittyw · Oct 8, 2002

I'm a single mom of a 6 y/o boy. I think being a single mom is easier cause when my little one is with his daddy he's away from my home - guaranteed quiet time. Of course when I have him it's all me - no back-up - so I learned to study fast & intensely. This semester I decided to hire a maid once a week - family friend - and she's wonderful & cheap!

allthingsbright · Oct 8, 2002

Hi! I also have kids ages 5 and 3. I work part time also. I study during my three yr olds naptime for two hours (my 5 yr old in is jr kindergarten), and after 8Pm every week night.

It is hard to get everything done, so the beds aren't always made, we eat out twice a week, dh helps out a lot, and the house is survivng just fine! I have somehow managed A's so far! I actually am more focused than a lot of my single, childless friends who are in my classes. I guess I just really know what I want, and I dont have a huge social life that gets in the way.

Anyway, my best to you! It can be done, and done well.

Amy :)

babynursewannab · Oct 8, 2002

I'm like kittyw, single mom so daddy time is no-child-interruption time. However, I live with my boyfriend and I swear he demands more attention than my 6 1/2 yo daughter ever does.

My house gets picked up once a week. I shove stuff around on the kitchen table when necessary...or we just eat at the coffee table and I get to watch 15 minutes of T.V. (seems to be my weekly allotment :) ) Every other Saturday, I pretend school doesn't exist and I scrub the house down and pay attention to all my loved ones...my dog included. My daughter gets so much less attention than I would like her to get from me. I have her dad keep her during the week so she could stay in the same school system and have one less thing to screw her up after the divorce. So , that means I have her on the weekends....prime study time. It's been a challenge, but I'm muddling through.

Lausana · Oct 8, 2002

Yes, I'm a mom to an almost 2 yr old (next month) who's really doing his best to test my patience these days :eek: So no studying while he's up, unless I want him to start coloring in crayon on my book or climbing in my lap and putting his book over mine... He certainly likes to be the center of my attention! :rolleyes: Family does make for a challenge...

But I have to remind myself how much I want this & what great things will happen when I'm finished!! Best wishes :kiss You will do great!