MOMS out there--help!

Spacklehead, MSN, NP · Oct 1, 2008

Would it be feasible for you to cut back hours at work - maybe go part-time or per diem? If you still need to work full-time, can you do three 12-hour shifts so you have more days off? Are you in school full-time or part-time?

When things got to be too hectic for me, I cut back my hours at work. I also attend school part-time.

Best wishes to you! :)

Blessedx3 · Oct 1, 2008

I am a school nurse...for 800 7 and 8 year olds...So--I work 7-3...get home at 4... I need to stay another year to be vested in my retirement...and I get perks of having my children in the classes I wish..I am part-time....and it's online at this point...I am sure it's just adjustment.... I do so much for my kids...and now that I'm in school...they need to be doing more for themselves... Thanks for her time.

cancergirl24 · Oct 3, 2008

I am a school nurse...for 800 7 and 8 year olds...So--I work 7-3...get home at 4... I need to stay another year to be vested in my retirement...and I get perks of having my children in the classes I wish..I am part-time....and it's online at this point...I am sure it's just adjustment.... I do so much for my kids...and now that I'm in school...they need to be doing more for themselves... Thanks for her time.

Hi Blessedx3, Wow...you are amazing! :bow: I am a 26 yr. old wife & mommy of a 2 year old boy and I was starting to get discouraged about school. Im a career change student and have always dreamed of being in the medical field. I would love to one day be in your shoes(in NP school):heartbeat I will be starting at the bottom (in LPN school) in Jan.. I feel like it is almost impossible to accomplish my dream of being an NP. Do you have any advice/tips on getting there? How did you manage to balance kids and studying and work? :confused: What was this path like for you? Thank you for your reply:nurse:

Otessa, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2008

Always look at the light of the tunnel. I understand the stress!!! Working full time, husband, kids, family health problems and CLEANING and cooking, etc,etc plus maybe some time for yourself(if you are lucky :-) Are we nuts????

I just take it day by to get through....

otessa

mama_d, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2008

I try to look at it this way...as long as the kids have clean clothes to wear to school and there's no mold growing anywhere (well, except in the fridge...those leftovers never seem to get eaten), if the mess bothers anyone else too much they can clean it up. Although if DFS came by here they might be inclined to condemn the place; between a 11, 9, 8, and 2 year old this place is a disaster!

amberfnp · Oct 19, 2008

Blessedx3~

I changed jobs when I started school. It has not been easy with me and my husbands crazy schedules, always making sure someone is home with the kiddo at night. I went from a M-F office job (been there 13 years) to 3 12 hour nights. Luckily where I work after 1am or so it's USUALLY slow enough to get some studying done which makes for more family time at home.

I'm pregnant and due in Feb. I'm hoping I can go to 2 nights and 1 day shift after maternity leave, then eventually 2 nights per week when clinicals start.

allnurses Guide · Oct 21, 2008

Hi,

I'm a mother of a 12 y.o. and 16 y.o., going to NP school full time and working part time. It's been hard, but knowing that this is only short term helps me get through the bad days. The first thing I did when I got accepted to school was teach my kids how to do their own laundry and cook a few simple things. Granted, my kids are older, but even little ones can be given a few simple chores to ease your load. I've aslo lowered my standards about what constitutes a clean house and a "proper" meal (hey, cereal is just fine for dinner once in a while!). I have very little time for myself, but I do try to exercise a couple of times a week, which I've found to be a tremendous stress reliever for me. So I don't have any great ideas, just try to get through it, let some things slide, and be kind to yourself.

Best of luck to you.

tryingtohaveitall · Oct 27, 2008

I was going to suggest what others have said, encourage or assign the kids to do more. I'm preaching to myself also. I have 5 kids ages 3 to 15, just now I assigned the 15yo to make dinner and warned the 12 yo that she would be cleaning up. The others will be tidying the living room and helping conquer Mt. Laundry here in a bit.

First however, I need to quit wasting time on message boards and get to work on my final theory paper! ;>)

radmom · Oct 27, 2008

flylady.com offers really great tips on organizing, cleaning etc. also menus for moms sends out weekly menu plans with shopping lists etc.

ivanh3 · Nov 3, 2008

OK..I am in first semester NP school...Working full time...5 days a week..My house and car are a disaster..3 kiddos' ages 8, 11, and 15. Hubby travels some. Any thoughts on getting some balance? I love the learning...the knowledge. I have had 2 study days for a 5 chap. patho test tomorrow. I am beat by 8 pm...when kids start settling down...So...any tricks out there guys???

I am a working dad (have a two year old), full time nurse, and full time NP student in my clinical rotations no less (add 16 to 24 hours per week for those). Quite frankly, this one seems easy: your husband is going to have to step up, travel or not. He has to pick up on the cleaning, cooking, dealing with the kids, and all of that. My wife works full time and we try our best to even out the load taking into consideration what each other has to do (not wants to do). Remember, what you are doing will benefit both of you. And if he is doing all of that right now, then don't forget to thank him for it. I thank God for my wife, I could NOT do it without her help, love, and support! Just my $.02.

Ivan

winsome08 · Nov 7, 2008

OK..I am in first semester NP school...Working full time...5 days a week..My house and car are a disaster..3 kiddos' ages 8, 11, and 15. Hubby travels some. Any thoughts on getting some balance? I love the learning...the knowledge. I have had 2 study days for a 5 chap. patho test tomorrow. I am beat by 8 pm...when kids start settling down...So...any tricks out there guys???

Hi there, it is possible to do it all but you will burn yourself out. You need to sit with your husband and have a good discussion about helping out with some of the chores. Yes, the 15 year old is old enough to fix simple stuff for rest of the kids and help with other chores. By the way, I must tell you that I had my daughter during my OB rotation and I took only four days off from class - I had her on Tuesday and I was back in class on Monday (missed 2 clinical days) and it was not easy to study and take care of her even with help. She is now 16 months old and is a handfull. Don't give up, it is well worth the time and effort. :up: