Johannah

Let me first say that I feel how difficult a position you find yourself in. I will be in the same boat in a year and am worried about it myself. I wanted to pass along a few thoughts about what children need from adults, though. A previous replier commented that we overestimate our need to "be there" for our children, and I couldn't disagree more--children need us, and they need MANY adults to be there for them in their young lives. In the most emotionally healthy communities, children have quite a few adult family members surrounding them. We don't have this in our culture, because we live in isolated nuclear families with at most 2 parents in a household, and those parents are stressed by the need to work long hours/go to school. This is not your fault--you have to get yourself through school, because you must have a way to support yourself and your kids--but something to think about is: are there other family members or adult friends who can help be there for your kids over this next tough couple of years? My husband and I are currently living with his parents while we get through school, and much as I cried when I realized we would have to do this, my daughter is thriving with all the attention and love she gets and we're calmer people for it. If there's any way to adjust your living situation or social network to get more positive adult guidance into your kids' lives right now, do it. Best of luck to you. You will get through this. And your kids will survive, regardless.

I'm aware of the risks of choosing this path and am just seeking some supportive, helpful information about specific programs that might be helpful to us as a family. Thank you so much!

Greetings, I have a BA and am preparing to get an MSN as soon as I can finish my prereqs and get into graduate school. I'm 38 and have a toddler. My husband is also thinking of going to nursing school and finishing his undergraduate degree by going for a BSN. We'll be winging the next 4-5 years with determination and patience and loans. Anyone else done this--gone to nursing school at the same time as your spouse? We'll be in Southern California or Northern California. Any schools known for being very family friendly, with family housing and childcare?