Mom's who are students...

cna on her way · May 12, 2003

If you are eligible for financial aid, you can get extra money for daycare if you need to do that. There are always options, some schools even have a daycare on site. Just check around and get things in line ahead of time. I am lucky that my kids are in school so they are in class while I am in class and if I have to be later they have an after school daycare that is actually in the classrooms. So it works out nice for me. I am probably going to do the LPN route first and then continue for my ADN online. Our school actually has the entire ADN program online now.

Just Angi · May 12, 2003

I have 3 kids, but only 2 full time. The two that are here during the week are 5 yr old in 1st grade, and 9 year old in 4th grade. It is hard. I depend on my husband, family, and babysitter ALOT!! sometimes I sit and cry, then one of my kids will say something like, "Mom, you are going to be the best nurse," that makes it worth it. It really will teach your kids that if they want it, they can be anything they want to be. Be courageous and proud, you will be a great nurse and a great example to your child that dreams really do come true!

LauraF, RN, ASN, CNA, LPN, RN · May 12, 2003

I'm currently doing it. I have a 3 year old son and a 2 year old daughter. My daughter is disabled she doesn't walk or talk. Noone really knows if she will or not. Currently I'm doing classes online. Fall semester my daughter qualified for special education preschool. I just had my son tested to go too. He would be a peer role model. If he does not get in he will go to preschool on campus. You have to be on campus for your child to attend. But they have made special arrangements for nursing students to be able to do clinicals and be off campus, but still have their kids at the preschool. But you have to be 2 years old. Good luck. I also have in the back of my head I can always put it all on hold if a problem develops or my daughter becomes worse.

:)

marilynmom, LPN, NP · May 12, 2003

Well for right now I have not had to use any daycare, etc. I have been taking online and evening classes. Most of the basic pre-req classes at most colleges anymore can be taken online. When I start nursing school next year sometimes I'll be using my husband and my mother when I really need her (she has health problems so I cant really totally depend on her). My oldest will be in kindergarden next year and I know they have after school daycare type stuff, but my youngest is 16 months and Im not sure what I will do with her for the 2 days a week I will have nursing school the first semester.

I do know you should be able to get daycare assistance if you get financial aid...not sure how that works cause I have not used it yet but I need to find out. Can someone tell me how that works? Is it through DHS or what? How much do you pay? I certainly do not have the money to pay for childcare out of pocket what so ever, I dont think most students do have that kind of money!

I know its not easy at all when you have kids. Daycare somewhat worried me too, I dont really want to use one if I dont have to. Maybe you could find a good babysitter through the Red Cross? I know they offer babysitting classes and the girls learn CPR, and everything so maybe contact the Red Cross? Good luck, the childcare thing is what makes it hard for me cause I want to go to school AND be with my kids at the same time, I dont like the idea of daycares, etc But for right now I thank god for online classes and night classes and my husband.

Marilyn

allnurses Guide · May 12, 2003

My mom lived with us while I was in nursing school (five years). And as I said before, I waited until they were all in school full-time (daughter was in first grade, son was in 6th, other son 8th grade. It was hard though . . . my mom smoked which drove us all a little crazy. No privacy. Mom and my husband don't see eye to eye on alot of stuff. It created stress between the way I wanted the household run and my mom's way. We had more than one knock-down drag-out argument.

I was usually home when the kids got home from school. But I was exhausted. And I could never really study at home. Just thinking about those days makes me a little nauseous. :eek:

I'm really stressing education first to my kids. Leave the romance and marriage and kid stuff for later . . . make smart choices so you don't have to compromise your principles later (I never believed in daycare, etc).

Good luck.

:kiss

NurseStacey143, ADN, RN · May 14, 2003

I typically survive on 4 hrs a sleep. I study mainly when my boys 4 and 6 are sleeping. Although I dont get too spend as much time with them as I like, I always make it a point to read them a story before bed and take them to do 1 fun thing every week. (it may be to the park and while they play i read my book) but something is better than nothing. My kids are first, school is second. We get counted off for missinf class or clincals and Ive been counted off for those each semester. This past one my 6 year old was in the hospital twice and then i couldnt miss his first field trip. I still ended up with A's and B's and got to do several things with my kids. Alot depends on how much help everyone has. I dont have any physical help, but my hubby works alot and gets the bills paid. I can't imagine I could do this if i had to work as well. Another tip that may help. I use the bottom veggie drawer in my refrigerator for "kid stuff" It has boxed drinks, gogurts, lunchables etc....so if im studying and they need a snack, they can get it themselves. ALthough typically later I have a big mess to clean up LOL it helps at the moment. BTW, Walmart has these peanut butter and jelly lunchables for 68 cents. Cheap and filling for the kids to make their own picnic on a sunny afternoon when im too busy:)

JULZ · May 14, 2003

THAT WAS GOOD ADVICE NURSE STACEY. I AM STARTING CLASSES THIS FALL AND NEED ALL THE ADVISE I CAN GET. MY HUSBAND ALSO WORKS VERY HARD TO GET THE BILLS PAID AND ALTHOUGH MY FAMILY LIVES TOO FAR TO HELP OUT BY BABYSITTING THEY WILL HAVE SLEEPOVERS OR TAKE MY CHILDREN FOR A DAY WHILE I GET SOME STUDYING OR SLEEPING DONE. I KEEP TELLING MYSELF--3 YEARS AT THE MOST AND IT WILL PAY OFF. I WAS TO LATE TO GET IN THIS YEAR BUT HAVE MY APPLICATION IN FOR NEXT YEAR.

VERY EXCITED TO HAVE A REWARDING FUTURE!

JULZ

cna on her way · May 14, 2003

As far as the financial aid and daycare, there is a section on the financial aid form that asks if you will need daycare, check yes and you get extra money. You will need to keep up with receipts though to justify the money.

flenoy · May 27, 2003

I am a single mom of three. I have a 9, 6, and 4 y/o. It can be stressful at times, but you have to keep in mind the alternative. For me that would be accepting a minimum wage job and working another part-time job along with the full-time job just to make ends meet. I would really have less time to spend with my children along with the added stress of living in poverty. My children are very happy that I'm going to be a nurse and more excited about moving to Florida in a couple of years. When I took Fundamental Nursing Skills last semester my children helped me prepare for test-outs by pretending to be my patients ha ha! I have managed to stay on the dean's list and maintain a 3.9 GPA. So it can be done!!!!!!!!! Be encouraged!!:roll

KristinWW · Jun 2, 2003

I could NEVER have returned to school when mine (4 and 6) were babies - I was a walking zombie! I am just now entering a program. I just told myself in advance that I would be with them and "lose" 5 years. So be it - well worth it!!

Dublin37 · Jun 2, 2003

My kids are in school full time, and it's working out okay, until one of them is sick. I was in classes, I could not miss. But what's cool, is that they usu got sick on my non-school days. And now that I'm done for the semester, my son (8) is home with a 102 fever, and my daughter (11) has gotten a bladder infection! Kinda funny but kinda cool that God held them up until I was done!:)

I often feel guilty that I'm not content to be a full time SAHM. I've always had some little job for some extra cash, and now I really wouldn't have to work. I see many of my friends who are so happy at home. But when my kids went to school full time, I just got so darned antsy! :confused: I am so excited about nursing, but I do worry about the 2 year program. I don't want to look back on those 2 years with regret, that I didn't do everything I could with my kids. You know, live at the school, be involved in everything, all the field trips etc. How can I lose this fear? Because I really do want to be a nurse! :nurse: Heather

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Jun 2, 2003

Dublin,

First all dont fell guilty for wanting to do things outside the house, away from your kids! My kids are 17 months and 5 yrs old and Ihave been a stay at home mother up until last semester. I just got burnt out doing nothing for myself and was always yelling, etc at my kids. Now that I am back in school full time (and I go at nights and take online classes so I am still home most of the time) I LOVE it and am LESS stressed and me and my kids enjoy being with each other more! I am taking 2 classes this summer (Chem and Nutrition).

I wont start actual Nursing School till next fall but I know between my husband, me and my mom (who are all VERY supportive of me going back to school) my kids will be fine and well taken care of. My oldest thinks it is so neat that I go to school and loves to help me study and just thinks it is so neat.

I remember when I turned 5 yrs old my mother (who had been a full time stay at home mom) joined the San Diego Police and was gone most nights. But I though she was SO cool and I remember being SO proud of my mom and loved to talk about what she did and all the bad people she got.

Anyways, just wanted to let you know you are doing such a great job! And you are ALWAYS a full time mother whether you are working or not :)

Marilyn