Toddlers, Daycare, LPN Program...How Did You Manage?

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Oct 14, 2006

I can't specifically relate to your situation, but I wanted to wish you good luck as you attempt to further your education.

Enchantress · Oct 14, 2006

i appreciate that...thank you!

DaniLPN2RN · Oct 14, 2006

I can empathize with your situation. We just recently moved from Indiana to Florida and I plan to go to nursing school. However, while making arrangements to return, I just found out I'm pregnant again (with my third child YIKES).

Juggling work and a full time nursing program is difficult. Have you looked into finding a non-licensed type job at a local medical facility? They often have 12 hours shifts which would allow you to work on the weekends. If your mom really wants you to save some money, maybe she could help watch your child while you work (she is grandma after all :wink2:).

Since I am pregnant now, I am going to stay at my job until the baby is born in March. The program I want to attend doesn't begin until March 2008 and is in the evenings Monday through Thursday. This will allow me to be home during the day with my children and work 12 hours shifts Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While we still have lots of planning to do, this is a tentative plan we have set.

I hope this information helps you out. Just hang in there. You will get this figured out. Remember, a mother can do unimaginable things to provide for her child AND do something to better her life/career.

Jules A, MSN · Oct 14, 2006

well i am not working because i've always been encouraged not to while in school and the little income i have goes to childcare and half of the rent. i love my mom...but this living sitution is causing a lot of stress in regards to child rearing...even my own life choices e.g. working, how to get to and from my volunteering job, etc.

who is encouraging you not to work? our school gave us that speech but who can afford not to worki? the majority of my class worked and our grades were just as good as the few people that didn't work. if there is any way you can continue to stay with your mom and get a part time job while you finish lpn school? that way maybe you could put away some money for after graduation and get your own apartment then. its only 3 semesters and while i know it sounds like a long time it goes pretty fast. best of luck. jules

bethinct · Oct 15, 2006

Some states have programs that will pay daycare expenses while parents work or go to school. I currently work at a daycare in connecticut and many families are receiving that assistance. I would call several local daycares in your area and ask them. THey should be able to refer you to someone who can help!

Good luck!!!

Enchantress · Oct 15, 2006

i can empathize with your situation. we just recently moved from indiana to florida and i plan to go to nursing school. however, while making arrangements to return, i just found out i'm pregnant again (with my third child yikes).
juggling work and a full time nursing program is difficult. have you looked into finding a non-licensed type job at a local medical facility? they often have 12 hours shifts which would allow you to work on the weekends. if your mom really wants you to save some money, maybe she could help watch your child while you work (she is grandma after all :wink2:).
since i am pregnant now, i am going to stay at my job until the baby is born in march. the program i want to attend doesn't begin until march 2008 and is in the evenings monday through thursday. this will allow me to be home during the day with my children and work 12 hours shifts friday, saturday and sunday. while we still have lots of planning to do, this is a tentative plan we have set.
i hope this information helps you out. just hang in there. you will get this figured out. remember, a mother can do unimaginable things to provide for her child and do something to better her life/career.

thanks for the encouragement...i want to work in a hospital or ltc facility as a cna or aide...do you really have to have certification to do so? either that or a front desk job so i can study. congrats and good luck!

who is encouraging you not to work? our school gave us that speech but who can afford not to worki? the majority of my class worked and our grades were just as good as the few people that didn't work. if there is any way you can continue to stay with your mom and get a part time job while you finish lpn school? that way maybe you could put away some money for after graduation and get your own apartment then. its only 3 semesters and while i know it sounds like a long time it goes pretty fast. best of luck. jules

my mom is the one who always tells me not to work when i look for a job. i have always quit the job search because she would make it hard to watch my son. when she has watched him when i wanted to go out (like 3 times in this last 8 months) she would tell me i have to come back in a couple of hours, etc. i can't argue that because it's her house, but sometimes i just want a break once a month. well now i have him in daycare so i want to work. i have been trying to hold off on moving so i can save money and get through the program (which starts in april), but the other night she did one of her classic things: coming into the room where me and my son sleep at 12:00am screaming at me and woke him up. she has done this a few times before and it completely pisses me off!!! i am over it! i have been in school for 5 years and through changing my major, marriage, pregnancy, divorce, and moving i know i won't give up now even if being on my own makes it harder. sorry about the rant. thanks for your response.

some states have programs that will pay daycare expenses while parents work or go to school. i currently work at a daycare in connecticut and many families are receiving that assistance. i would call several local daycares in your area and ask them. they should be able to refer you to someone who can help!
good luck!!!

yes...i looked into childcare assistance, but you have to have a job first or be in school. i am on the waiting list, but working moms get preference so when i get a job i will update my application. thank you!

Mudwoman · Oct 23, 2006

Go to a counselor at your local college and find out what assistance is available. You might be surprised. At one point, my DD was considering divorce and going back to school. Checking into how in the world she could do it, she found that the college could help her apply for scholarships, pell grants, student loans. She could get money for day care expenses and even keep the kids at the day care facility on campus where students were getting degrees in early childhood education for a fraction of the cost. She would qualify for monetary help with transportation costs and housing. If one college can't help you much, try another. Don't just stop with one source. Some universities have special housing for single moms with kids so they can go to school.

In the mean time, get a job and get out of your mom's house. It is a bad situation and will not get better.

mumpet5 · Oct 24, 2006

I just wanted to say that I am now 46, went to LVN school in Texas when I was 43, I had two elementary school age children, I was in the 2p to 10 p program, there was NO way I could work, it was eat sleep and study for the entire year. I personally did not have to apply for afdc or tanf, miraculously I lived off of child support and pell grants, and one loan. I had no family support whatsoever, had to pay full time day care,440/month for the two children. Luckily, that was a flat fee, and she worked with me.

I would encourage you to focus on your goal, to finish LPN school, knowing that at the end of the year, you WILL be able to support your child. Your mom will be MOM, and maybe you could set aside differences in childrearing for the time being. (count it a blessing that she has opened her doors ) As long as the child is safe, well cared for, etc. I don't mean to minimize the way you feel in any way, just wanted to encourage.

hersunflower · Oct 25, 2006

I am faced a similar situation. I am a single parent, I have no money saved and I will be getting out of the army in about 3 weeks. I have no where to go. But I do have money for school and I want to go back to Oklahoma because I can't go back home. I have a chance now to go to nursing school. I don't mind working as a CNA but how can I pull that off? I could probably do 7-3 on Sat. I don't have any friends and I don't have family to help me with child care.

BSNtobe2009 · Oct 25, 2006

I have a nanny that takes care of my daughter...now, don't think "nanny" equals expensive. I found someone that likes taking care of children and that is the reward moreso than the money, so she actually charges me less than the daycare centers. Because she is not licensed (and licensing for an individual, I can tell you from experience means absolutely nothing!), her and I are free to work out our own agreements without being over-regulated by the state. She has even kept my daughter overnight before on several occasions and her entire family has "adopted" my daughter as one of their own. It works out for everyone, and we have had this arrangement since she was 3 months old.

Trust me, I thank my lucky stars every day that I found her.

Enchantress · Oct 26, 2006

thanks for all of the replies!

that is such a blessing bsntobe2009...

hersunflower, hang in there. it seems most people work 12 hour shifts on the weekend so the week can be devoted to school. see if there are any 24 hour daycares in your area. like suggested apply for child care assistance, get child support to cover daycare expenses or an amount sufficient to pay for daycare, diapers, and wipes...if this is an option for you. you can make enough if you can work a good amount of hours for rent, clothes, food. if not apply for food stamps and tanf. live in the cheapest place you can find without compromising you and your child's safety. hope that helps. :)

well, i am still looking for a job (hospital or ltc facility). these are the best options when it comes to flexibility. me and my mom both have strong personalities, but i am going to hold out as long as possible. once i start the program i don't think it will be as bad because i will be so busy. thank god the program is not that long. i am just focusing on my goal: graduate so that i can fully take care of my child with a stable career. thanks again!