School and Family

susswood · May 18, 2004

I start school this August and my husband will be at home with our little one. This will actually be the first time we will be able to eat dinner together every night (I normally work 3-3, my husband works at home). I'm looking forward to it.

RNsneedchange · May 19, 2004

I start school this August and my husband will be at home with our little one. This will actually be the first time we will be able to eat dinner together every night (I normally work 3-3, my husband works at home). I'm looking forward to it.
I am planning finances by working overtime as much as possible before I start the program, so I'll have a nest egg to go along with loans. My husband will continue to work so we will have insurance coverage and with alot of help from grandma, neighbors, and latch key, my kids will survive this life event, too. I wish you best on your journey, I know it's going to be difficult for all our families.

Brenna's Dad · May 20, 2004

I think I attend probably one of the most family-friendly programs. No call, minimal weekend work.

However, I'm also beginning to realize just how much my family has sacrificed by my school attendance. In the last 16 months, it has been very rare for me to have a day off of school. Between clincal, class, or assignments/studying there is always something I have to do. I regret it, but when my son or daughter asks me to play, I frequently have to respond with, "I can't right now, I have homework."

My spouse works part-time and the kids are only in daycare for 10 hours a week. What I think they are missing out on is time with their Dad. I know of one family that scheduled a family day every week. What I try to do is spend a good part of a day once a week with the wife and kids.

My advice (based on personal values) would be to borrow as much as you are comfortable, so to avoid sending your kids to full-time daycare. I think your plan that your husband says home as much as possible is a great one. It's unfortunate, but at least in my circumstance, the kids are mostly short one parent. It would be a drag to be short two.

trakstar · May 20, 2004

My wife will stay at home with our 2 year old and we will be expecting in January. We've been saving up for when I go back to school so that she will be able to stay home with our kids. We are lucky to an extensive network of family support within 1 hour of where we live. We've had the "this is going to be tough" talk. She feels well educated on what we are getting into.

srna04 · May 20, 2004

Wow, you have a great husband, it really shows his true character. Love does not seek jealousy. I don't have any kids and I'm currently a SRNA at Rush University. I would absolutely love the thought of staying at home and raising my kids. I cannot emphasize enough family support. Believe me I have learned that lesson the hard way. Best of luck to you.

This is a great site and I've read a lot of great info, so I finally decided to join. I will be moving my family (husband and 3 little ones) to Florida in July...Big Change!! Ill be starting CRNA school at FGCU. My husband will be staying home with the kids at first, to make the transition easier on them and to avoid high daycare costs, so unfortunately, we'll have a lot of loans. I'm trying not to worry too much about the loans we'll aquire, it sounds like we're all in the same boat there. Plus, if he needs to get a job, he can always do so. I do get concerned a bit about the impact this will have on my family. My husband is so supportive and excited for this opportunity to further my education. He realizes the tremendous time comittment that I'll have and says that we'll make it work. I'm interested if anyone else is in the same boat? Do your spouses work or stay home with the children? How do you budget family time? How do you make it work financially? Anyone going to FGCU? Thanks in advance for your feedback!!