MOMS: Do you think this is taking on too much?

BreatheFree · Nov 4, 2007

Oh I forgot to mention the classes that I plan on taking. Math, English, Speech and Medical Terminology (online course). Thanks!

SpiceChick01 · Nov 4, 2007

It is certainly possible to go to school with a tribe of kids at home, LOL!I am a 28 year old SAHM myself. When I did my Master's, my kids were 1, 1, 2, 6, and 7. Five in all.....the only thing about you situation is the newborn. Mine were small, but not that small. In my experience, the smaller they are the less predictability you can have in planning. My newborns had ridiculous sleep schedules, so I would have been hard pressed to schedule my study time around their sleeping, which is really the best way to go when you are a mom of very small ones like that.

The English and speech may be pretty doable, as there is no real studying for those, but writing instead. The Math and Medical Terminology would be bigger problems, as a lot of studying and memorization is involved. Mind you, I am challenged with Math and such under even the best circumstances. This may not be the case for you. If it were me, I would just take the English and Speech. If you are determined to take more, then you may want to CHOOSE one of the others.

I understand how it is when you want to get a jump on things. But, bear in mind with the fierce amount of competition for slots in Nursing programs, you want to get the best grades possible. Rather take a little less on at a time to achieve that than put yourself at risk for spreading yourself too thin with class and kids and get mediocre grades, thereby making it that much harder to get in somewhere. Hope this helps you, and good luck!

jewelshouse · Nov 4, 2007

What about taking 3 next semester and then the other one during summer session? This semester was my first semester back in over 15 years, I started with 4 classes then dropped to 3. I also have 3 kids ages 3, 9 and 10; I think if I would have kept it at 4 classes it would be alot harder on me. Just getting back into the routine of studying which basically I had to "relearn" which I am still working on.

It's kind of been a hard adjustment especially for my 3 year old, I have been a SAHM for 10 years now and she's having a hard time me not being her all the time even when she's with my dh. It's also been hard on her when I have to get something done; she just can't understand why mommy can't do this or that for her right now.

Older ones are a little more understanding, they seem to get it. This is just my experience, I'm going for 4 classes in the spring myself. Good luck to you whatever you decide.

ranka · Nov 4, 2007

I think you can do it, but agree the 7 week old might put some time constraints on studying. Babies need mom alot at that age.

Can you get a syllabus to see the class requirements so you can see the homework load before starting?

Is your husband good about helping around the house or taking the kids out so you can study for finals, etc?

Personally, I would go for it if you can :)

catzy5 · Nov 5, 2007

Hi everyone. I am a 27 year old SAHM to 4 boys ages 6, 4, 2 and 7 weeks. I am trying to plan my schedule for next semester. The plan was to only take 2 classes however I am now leaning towards 4 (13 credit hours). I only have 12 credits currently and would like to start nursing school (BSN) in the Spring of 2010. I wrote up a mock schedule and think it would be in my best interest to take a full load now with the "easier" classes before I have to take the harder classes so that I can take less hours then. My concern is whether or not 13 hours would be too much to take on right now with 4 kids considering one is only 7 weeks old. I think that I can do it but it kind of scares me. My classes will be in the evenings. I will only be gone Monday (5 hours), Tuesday(2 hours) and Thursday (5 hours) nights. My dh will have the kids in the evening.
Anyways, what do you think? Am I taking on too much???

only you will be able to determine if it's too much. If this is your first semester back you might want to get your feet wet first. With that many hours something will have to give, figure out what it is and if it is worth it to you and go from there.

Catherine

teampierce · Nov 5, 2007

Hi! Stay at home mother of 2 here, 6 yo boy and 13 mo girl.

What you've described sounds do-able because it's online and they are not the real demanding science classes.(otherwise I'd say "are you crazy?") It's probably going to be stressful though. Good luck deciding. :)

BreatheFree · Nov 5, 2007

Thanks for the replies. I still have a few weeks before registration to decide. By the time the spring semester starts the baby will be 4 months old. He is sleeping pretty good right now considering his age. We are co-sleeping so I nurse him in bed and he usually goes right back to sleep. He usually wakes every 2-3 hours though.

This isn't my first semester back. I took an online class last spring. So this will be my first time with a full load since I was 19. :)

Any other advice??

goingformydream · Nov 5, 2007

you should be ok with that course load.. if you have great support for when you study. Also, I am sure you know not to procrastinate; you never know when a child is going to get sick and need momma. I schedule my time in "chunks" school time, study time, play time, wife time, exercise time, me time, etc.. Good luck! Oh.. there will be moments when you feel overwhelmed.. but just lean on your husband and realize you are working towards a goal that will benefit the whole family.

itsa307 · Nov 5, 2007

I am a stay at home mom of a 1 and just turned 4 year old and started taking my pre-reqs this past summer. I agree that it would depend on how hard Math would be for whether or not you take 3 or 4 classes. Keep in mind that being winter/spring that that is the time when little ones seem to catch everything that is going around. Both my kids just had severe croup with the baby almost having to be admitted. It definitely put a wrench in my studies and was hard to get back into the groove again. I really think that 3 would be enough with 4 little ones. I know that the school I am going to is really hard to get into for nursing so my grades have to be top notch so that's always sticking in the back of my head too. Best wishes & Congrads on the new baby!

ChargeNurseAmy74 · Nov 5, 2007

Hi everyone. I am a 27 year old SAHM to 4 boys ages 6, 4, 2 and 7 weeks. I am trying to plan my schedule for next semester. The plan was to only take 2 classes however I am now leaning towards 4 (13 credit hours). I only have 12 credits currently and would like to start nursing school (BSN) in the Spring of 2010. I wrote up a mock schedule and think it would be in my best interest to take a full load now with the "easier" classes before I have to take the harder classes so that I can take less hours then. My concern is whether or not 13 hours would be too much to take on right now with 4 kids considering one is only 7 weeks old. I think that I can do it but it kind of scares me. My classes will be in the evenings. I will only be gone Monday (5 hours), Tuesday(2 hours) and Thursday (5 hours) nights. My dh will have the kids in the evening.
Anyways, what do you think? Am I taking on too much???

I am a mom of 3, I also have 3 dogs & 1 cat (LOL) , oh did I mention a husband too and took 11 credit hours last semester and did just fine. Mine was on campus tho, 5days a week. IT was tough, seriously..but do-able. Cook enough for a couple days at a time, soups, stews, oven dinners, etc. Get alot of easy to prepare snacks, keep drinks made for the kids. Make a laundry day and IF you are too tired or busy, get out whats needed and wash that. You can do it..Just keep your priorities straight, and all the lil things can wait and my favorite quote is: I GUARNATEE ONE THING THE (CHORE) WILL BE THERE TOMORROW...another words, it isnt' going anywhere. Best wishes, keep us posted

fmrnicumom · Nov 6, 2007

I think it's doable, but it does depend on you. I went back to school for the first time in 8-9 years within days of my son being released from the NICU. I had 8 credit hours both spring and summer (meaning short) semesters. That said, I only had to leave home for one class, although the one class was 4 days a week in the evening. I found out quickly that procrastinating is not a good idea. I have always been one to "go with the flow" rather than schedule things, but I found that I had to schedule things in order to get everything done.

I have 2 children, ages 9 and 2. I know you have 4, so you are pulled in more directions. My youngest has asthma, developmental delays, Pervasive Development Disorder, and was just diagnosed with epilepsy. He has never slept well and although he will turn 3 in a few months, he has only slept through the night a handful of times. My oldest is involved in various things and of course needs my time as well. I have to schedule carefully to make sure I get things done as far ahead of time as possible. I've found that getting things done a little at a time and well before deadlines helps ease stress.

The biggest thing I can say is please make sure you take proper care of yourself. You can't help others if you aren't taking care of yourself. Your stress level will also be much higher if you're not getting proper sleep, exercise and nutrition. It's something I'm still working on.

Good luck to you!

Tiffany