Nursing school and children....

tabbeycatt · Mar 3, 2003

Originally posted by TeresaRN2b
I have a 10, 6, and 3 year old boy and an almost 2 year old girl (plus baby 5 on the way).

God Bless you Teresa.... 4 kiddies with one on the way and a NURSING STUDENT to boot! You are one strong woman!

My little boy just turned 17 months old and I am still doing pre-req's. I don't know what it will be like at my house once I start the actual nursing courses. I can imagine it will be a "zoo" considering my hubby is not much of a "straightener upper." When I get home from class and he is baby sitting... I just have to kick a clear path through all the toys just to make my way thru the house. It upsets me ... cause I am a neat freak.... but I've learned to compromise after having my son. It's just impossible to have an immaculate house with a baby/toddler/child/hubby! :roll

So I guess I'll just have to learn to let things go... till I can afford to hire a maid once I make it through school and start getting a pay check again... ah.... that will feel so good.

Good luck to you! :)

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 3, 2003

Originally posted by TeresaRN2b
I have a 10, 6, and 3 year old boy and an almost 2 year old girl (plus baby 5 on the way).

Wow that is amazing! I only have 2 kids (ages 5 and 14 months), I dont know how i would do it with 4 AND being pregnant! You go girl!!!

And yes I love my crockpot to!!! That way at least you dont have to reallyworry about dinner, just one less thing out of the way. I have that same crockpot book as well, I bet most libraries carry it too.

I agree if you have kids get them in on the cleaning, even little ones can help out. I use all non toxic cleaning supplies (I can clean my whole house with vinegar and baking soda, seriously) that way my kids can clean and I dont have to worry about them eating or breathing in any toxic fumes, etc and no they dont do as good a job as I would but hey its gettin done and they have fun scrubbing out the bathtub! I also have my oldest pick out her clean laundy and put it away in her drawers (she doesnt even have to fold it, I just want it put away) same with the towels and everyones socks, etc.

We also homeschool on top of everything else. All I know is when I get out of school I am GETTING A MAID (!!!) to come in every other week or so to help out.

Marilyn

maire, ASN, RN · Mar 3, 2003

You really do have to learn to let some things go. I do heavy housework and cooking during the weekend; making and freezing meals on the weekends to be pulled out during the week saves my kids from eating mac-n-cheese and hot dogs every night that I'm in school. I got one of those Foodsavers for Christmas and I have been using the heck out of it. Teresa mentioned the Fix-it-and-forget-it cookbook - I have that too. LOL :chuckle Crockpots are wonderful.

I have three children, ages 9, 7 and 1, so I know how it can be!

opalmRN · Mar 3, 2003

Originally posted by ashemson
I have three daughters, ages 8,5,and 2. My DH says he will help out when I am in school, but for example when I have to work at night now, I come home, the house is trashed, dishes everywhere, etc. Drives me crazy, and I wonder what is going to happen when I can't pay as much attention to my family that I need to. How do you guys with children handle everything? Any great tips on juggling?

There have been some great suggestions previously and I would indulge as many as you find suitable for your household. (I,m particularly fond of my (5th) crockpot.

As for your husband, maybe he is not quite clear on what is actually "helping out". I know it's sometimes a pain to have to literally show them how to do things but if he really wants to help and you really need his help it will be worth it. Reassure him too, sometimes husband get nervous about their wives venturing out there.

Your children are certainly old enough to pick up around the house as well. Give them small jobs. Small children love to know they are "doing work." Give them BIG praises, you will get extra work out of them.

Lastly, try not to measure your success on the "June Cleaver" way of keeping a home. None of us by no means, are June Cleaver and I would be willing to bet most of us are not much like our mother's either. (My mother, at the age of 70, is still staying at home!) If you are expecting guests, that is the time you might want to clear a path otherwise, take things in stride. Really think about it. Ask yourself this one simple question, does it bother you to see the clutter or would it bother you if SOMEONE else saw the clutter?

Being an older student has its advantages. When my children were young they had a change of clothes twice a day. Every chore had a specific day and that was that. Then I got real. Our third child was born much later in life and had some problems the first two years that required my attention nearly 24/7. After spending numerous afternoons sobbing because "our house looked like a pigpen", my husband pointed out that I was wrong. It really didn't look like a pigpen it just didn't look like the surgical suite it had once been!

That was nearly 11years ago and I have to say I have really learned to do two things. Delegate or forget it till some other day.

Good luck to you and your family. This will be a family affair and as such everyone should be taking a part.

C

:kiss

And one other thing that you might have been pondering over is, what is classified as a dinner meal?

Answer: Anything that will keep them alive until tomorrow!

ashemson · Mar 3, 2003

C - you're definition of a meal is the best! And I am definitely going to have to get that crockpot cookbook. I use my crockpot alot, but run out of ideas. Maybe we could start a site with crockpot recipes!! haha

StrugglinStuden · Mar 3, 2003

I am in nursing school with a 4 yr old and 2 yr old. Hubby works 16 hr days. What I find works, is to make dinner in the morning, (I have afternoon classes) and make individual plates put in fridge. That way, when I get home from class, I can focus on what needs to be done and get organized instead of dinner. I also find that I can only do serious reading after my kids go to bed around 8 pm. That way, Im not constantly interupted and my kids dont think Im ignoring them by always having my nose in books. It seems to work for my, the key is organization. Good luck to you. It takes alot of determination and family support. At least you have an older kiddo that can help out a little with the house.

TeresaRN2b · Mar 3, 2003

Originally posted by opalm

As for your husband, maybe he is not quite clear on what is actually "helping out". I know it's sometimes a pain to have to literally show them how to do things but if he really wants to help and you really need his help it will be worth it. Reassure him too, sometimes husband get nervous about their wives venturing out there.

I completely agree. My husband is helpful, but quite often I have to tell him exactly what I need him to do. You know "Honey could you go put a load of laundry in the washing machine" or "Tonight I am going to need you to cook dinner there's chicken in the freezer and potatoes in the fridge. How about making some bbq for dinner?" "I have a test tomorrow so you are going to have to take care of bath time with the kids" etc, etc, etc. My dh does great at helping if I tell him what needs to be done. If I don't he is still kind of clueless.

marilynmom, LPN, NP · Mar 3, 2003

What are your childcare arrangements for clinicals and classes? I might be apply to get in next semester and childcare is my main obsticle right now. Why cant there be more evening/night nursing classes!!

Marilyn

opalmRN · Mar 3, 2003

Originally posted by marilynmom
Why cant there be more evening/night nursing classes!!
Marilyn

Marilyn, That has been my questions for two years now.

I don't have daycare concerns but my present job does not permit me to work evenings so that I could go to school in the day.

That is one of the reasons I have choosen Deaconess. Yes as many folks have pointed out it is $$, but for me it is the ONLY option.

Is there daycare available at the school? I know many of the schools in PA offer onsite daycare for students at a very reduced rate.

Boy sometimes don't ya just think it would be easier to be a rocket scientist that it is to learn to be a nurse!

GL to you,

C

studentdeb · Mar 3, 2003

Marilyn,

I totally agree with you about wishing there were more evening classes for nursing. I am due to begin in the fall and my daughter will begin kindergarten and my son, I will be putting in the daycare at the college if all works out. If not, I have a home provider I used before who might be interested.

Daycare is so hard when going to school especially if you are not working to pay for it.

Good luck

Asiancutie · Mar 3, 2003

this thread is a nice insight on having kids, going to school and dealing with a housechore challenged husband ....

Cynthiann · Mar 3, 2003

I go to the same school as Marilyn and I already looked into the onsite daycare. There prices are the same as any other daycare and there is a waiting list that may take a year. I'm in the same place too trying to figure out what to do with my kids. Hopefully I'll figure it all out. But I won't even know if I got into the nursing program until May.