Tips for a mom's survival in Nursing School and beyond

[OKNurse2be]

Firstly, if I posted in the wrong forum, I apologize. I am mainly looking for ideas and tips from mothers and (fathers too) who have made it through and that are working now. I am 29 years old and I am a mother of 3 young children ages 6, 4 and 2. I have the support of my husband and my mother who is the person caring for my children in my absence. This allows for a great amount of flexibility, which I know can be a luxury. However, the idea of juggling everything; making sure I spend enough time with my kids, time for husband and enough time to study is quite daunting. I am doing my pre-reqs at the moment and I know the load of nursing school will be a lot greater. So, how do you survive? What are some tips for managing school and a family? Also, in nursing school itself.. what are some do's and don'ts? For the record, I am doing a 2 year ADN program at a local Comm. College. I appreciate all comments and tips. Thanks!!

[nurseprnRN, BSN, RN]

a big (desk-sized) calendar propped on the table next to the door helped me keep organized. anything that had to do with me, red. daughter: green, son: blue. times and where. eyeballing it prn was a great reminder.

i'm also a great believer in having kids do more around the house. a four year old can set the table, and this leads the way to participating in the household at a higher level when s/he grows.

a six-year-old can throw laundry in the machine, add premeasured soap packets, and push the start button, then throw the wet things in the dryer and push the button. the advantage to that is that as they get older, there is no fuss over, "i don't have anything clean to wear!" because the answer is (and you will only have to say it once), "and whose fault is that?"

an eight-year-old can form hamburger patties and fry them, and put a package of frozen peas in the microwave, and pour the milk. mine made their own sandwiches for school.

all of this while they see their mom working hard for school and doing a lot around the house too. builds a foundation for a strong family when everyone works together to accomplish a goal.

[OKNurse2be]

a big (desk-sized) calendar propped on the table next to the door helped me keep organized. anything that had to do with me, red. daughter: green, son: blue. times and where. eyeballing it prn was a great reminder.

i'm also a great believer in having kids do more around the house. a four year old can set the table, and this leads the way to participating in the household at a higher level when s/he grows.

a six-year-old can throw laundry in the machine, add premeasured soap packets, and push the start button, then throw the wet things in the dryer and push the button. the advantage to that is that as they get older, there is no fuss over, "i don't have anything clean to wear!" because the answer is (and you will only have to say it once), "and whose fault is that?"

an eight-year-old can form hamburger patties and fry them, and put a package of frozen peas in the microwave, and pour the milk. mine made their own sandwiches for school.

all of this while they see their mom working hard for school and doing a lot around the house too. builds a foundation for a strong family when everyone works together to accomplish a goal.

awesome idea to have them help more. i am definitely going to try to get them to do little things. maybe a good place to start for my 6 year old would be to learn to keep his room clean and throw the clothing in the hamper? we'll see. my mom helps a lot with the housework, which is awesome, but i don't want her to do everything!!! i am also planning on hanging a big dry erase calendar on the wall. that way it's a visual for everyone in the house on what my schedule is, when my tests and assignments are due (ergo will need more study time) etc. i am already working on getting my body clock to accept going to bed early and getting up earlier. so far my 2 year old has been an early alarm clock. for the past few days she has been waking up at 5:30am lol

anyway, great ideas everyone.. keep em coming!!!