Nursing School and motherhood

BeachsideRN, ASN · Nov 3, 2015

It's hard! Mom guilt gets to me. The I remember that it's a temporary situation for a better future

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Nov 3, 2015

School won't last forever. You may be able to offer your family more once you finish your education, so eventually it will pay off for all of you.

AspiringNurseMW · Nov 3, 2015

I chose to go to school while they are still young (4.5 and 2). It's temporary, I'll be able to support them better, and they won't remember much when they are older about this time frame.

I also force myself to add time for them on my schedule that they can rely on. They know for example that after bath is snuggles and story no matter what. I explain things to my older one as a method for me to learn and to involve her (she even took my A&P anatomy atlas to show and tell one week, lol)

WellThatsOod · Nov 3, 2015

It's certainly not easy. I have 3 kids, and the youngest one is special needs. Between him and school, my older 2 kids don't get as much of my attention as they used to. I try to make sure we have dinner together most nights, we talk about our days. I tuck them in every night. Many times I will sit with them while I'm studying and explain to them what I am learning. Every Sunday the have Cub Scouts so we do that together. I'm just happy I don't have to work too (yet) or else I probably would never get to spend quality time with my kids.

I hope you find something that works for your family. You're not alone.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Nov 7, 2015

How do you all cope with being in nursing school and also balancing your children? I am a mother of 3 and feel so guilty any time I have to put them aside and deal with school. Any advice would be helpful.

Mommy guilt affects most of us. I know it affected me. As for me, I knew I had to finish in order to be able to provide a decent life/income for my kids. Because I knew this, it alleviated the mommy guilt.

I was a mom to 3 also, when I started! My kids were ages 4, 11 and 14. Now, I have only 1 at home, and it's much easier.

As far as balancing school and kids, I spent every soccer practice and game with my nose buried in a book. At least I was there!! Lol!!

I studied alongside my eldest! She's in college now and we both bond over complaining about school and sharing tips and cheerleading eachother!

I think we set a good example to our kids by showing them how we put in work to finish our education.

sashapuppy · Nov 7, 2015

I also have 3 kids (14,13 and 6) and the mommy guilt is almost crippling at times. In order to cope, I literally take one day at a time and try to keep everything in perspective. It is so difficult for me.

shantelmorgan · Nov 24, 2015

Thanks everyone for all the advice. It's nice to know I am not the only one experiencing mommy guilt

VicChic20 · Nov 24, 2015

Try to realize that the schooling is temporary and won't last forever. You're giving your family a better life with a better income. You're also setting a great example about furthering one's education. Try to spend a fair amount of time with your children each day and also your studies too. You can do this!

augurey · Nov 24, 2015

It's hard and the guilt comes easily, but like everyone else said, it's temporary. I had to send my son to daycare at 4 weeks old (spent his 3rd week with my MIL) so that I could go back to school. It gutted me, and I still feel guilty over it, but I remind myself that I'm going to be able to provide for them better once this all done.

Both kids (one 2 years and the other almost 3 months) go to daycare, even when I'm at home. My daughter loves daycare, so she gets in some great social interaction, and I get studying done. When they come home from daycare, I set aside my school work and spend time with them. I can get back to my school work after they are in bed. Even the weekends I try to spend at least one full day, if possible, dedicated to my husband and kids. Then the other day is 3/4 devoted to school work (I take breaks to help my husband out or take care of / play with the kids for a bit as a break).

There are the odd days here and there where I'm pressed for time and am trying to meet a deadline. On those days I just have to push on through with my school work even if it means not seeing them other than for very short periods of time. Once I'm done, I try to take a little extra time with them (if time allows for it).

It's a juggling act. You just have know what to prioritize and when. There are times school work has to be my top priority. When school doesn't need to be top priority (in that moment), it's all about my kids. It's just finding balance and knowing when to switch hats.

Seattlemamalama · Nov 24, 2015

Mine are so young (3 under 3) that I count on them forgetting. For my oldest I take time for the little things like listening to her when she wants to whisper in my ear or to following her when she wants to show me something. Her attention span is short it only takes a few minutes of time.

I does really get to me when I turn to look at my kids and find them glued to the tv (because I sent them there originally) and I'm sitting alone studying in the next room but it's only for this season of life. It won't always be like this.