anyone working and going to school at the same time?

Teresa - posted on 08/10/2010

I have a fulltime job that is 40+ hours a week, I'm enrolled in school for physical therapy. I have a 4 year old that will be starting pre-k next tuesday who is very involved in soccer and baseball. I have a teenage step son who will start back to school tomorrow, he is involved in baseball and a select football team. my husband works 40 hours a week and we dirt track race as a family. we have our normal household things to tend to each day as well. it was hard at 1st but once you find a routine and get everyone in the house to help out with something it does make it a lot easier. for example, my youngest son feeds to 2 inside dogs and keeps the laundry out of his and his brothers bathroom. the oldest feeds the outside dog, the birds and fish and keeps the dishes cleaned. my husband and i clean the house and keep the laundry done and we take turns cooking.

Tre'Neshia - posted on 08/09/2010

I'm 22 almost 23 and this is my 5th year in college its not easy and i cannot tell you that its going to be. Idk if you're married or not but a support system is totally mandatory. I mean my bf lives with me and its hard even so because we are both in school and working to take care of our children. It's hard and its even harder the younger your children are.

Bethany - posted on 08/09/2010

I'm doing the same thing! I go to school part days (8-1) then I work from 1-930. My son is only a month old. It's hard, but in the end- you're doing it to make a better life for your family. I'm keeping that in mind and that's whats pulled me through so far.

Selinna - posted on 08/07/2010

Hi Natasha! I'm so happy for you, with your decission to go to school! Alot of families can't afford to let one parent work or go to school because of childcare expenses. I have been a stay at home Mom for almost 4 yrs now. And I just started Volunteering at our local Hospital in the ER. Plus, I'm going to school full time in September. I am also nervous about it. But I know that I can do it, with the help of my fiance. He's agreeing to help out with some house work and to keep our DD occupied when I need to study. Like other Moms have said here, it can be done and especially, if you have a system with support! Best of Luck to you!!

Melissa - posted on 08/06/2010

It is hard but overall worth it. I worked full time, went to school full time and had two young children (3 and 1 year old) when I returned to school to get my degrees. I will be honest-there were many sleepless nights as I finished papers and I missed my little girls. My girls would often come upstairs to my office while I worked and just play beside me. I do suggest setting aside time to spend with your child and partner. That was the hardest thing for me to deal with, the idea that I felt guilty about not spending enough time with the girls. I was able to return to school because my husband was supportive and took on extra household responsibilities. The pros to my returning to school were that the girls saw me working hard for my education and now I finally have a better pay in the career of my choice. My advice is take it day by day-there will be days that you begin to wonder what you have gotten yourself into and days that you will feel empowered and able to do anything.

Julia - posted on 08/05/2010

I'm doing it right now and it's a lot but it can be done. Of course it's not easy. If it was everyone would be doing it! I am a single mother. I work a full time job and I go to school 18 credits every semester. I've made the deans list every semester, I'm on 3 different honor societies (although I am only really active in 2) and I am involved in community service activities. I budget my time, I have a part time nanny, and I take time out for my son everyday. No matter what we eat dinner together. But I'm lucky because my son Is 5 so he's in school. So those 8 hours he spend on school are productive for me. Plus I work at a hospital so 3 days is full time. My best advice to any one who is trying to do this is to make a schedule, stick to it as best as you can, don't feel bad if you can't make the beds every day or cook everyday cause IHOP every once in a while haven't killed anybody, schedule in time to spend with your family and just do the best you can. It's time limited and won't last forever

Sierra - posted on 08/04/2010

I have 2 weeks left before I finish my M.A. and I will begin on my Doctorate in a few weeks. I have a 9 month old and I have a home daycare. Things are crazy, but it can be done. I have a lot of days where I am exhausted from being up late doing school work after my daughter goes to sleep and I try to still make time for my husband and get all my housework done. It's all about time management and having a system.

Natasha - posted on 08/03/2010

Thanks Nicole :) It's good to hear some encouraging words and to know that it is possible. My supervisor went back for her masters when she was a single mom to two kids under age 10 and got pregnant in the middle of it. She also worked full time and some how still managed to pull it off. It's knowing that people like her, and people like you, exist that will keep me willing to do it. And where there is a will, there is usually a way!

Nicole - posted on 07/31/2010

I am encouraging you to do it. I was pregnant with my second child while working full-time and going to school full-time in the evenings. If you have a supportive husband or network of family and friends it will work. When your children get older they are actually more demanding with homework, extracurricular activities,..etc I just finished my Masters Degree last year so I have been going to school for a long time too. Oh, don't forget to ask for help when you need it.
Good Luck

Sarah - posted on 07/29/2010

I too am working, going to school full time and have 2 little ones at home. I think this all depends on if you have good daycare and your stamina. It is not easy for me but I only work part time about 16 hrs a week. I do stay at home with my kids during the day though while my hunny works and do school online. Personally, I would cut my hours down. But like I said, depends on how much help you have with your child(ren). Good luck!!!!!

Anne - posted on 07/29/2010

I waited until my youngest started Kindergarted before I went back to school. That is what worked best for us. My husband works 12 hour night shifts at a dangerous job and he can't be tired. Working and going to school and being a good mom is possible. I work part time for an after school program and go to school in the mornings. Also, most Universities offer online classes now which can be a tremendous blessing to us moms! My advice would be to make sure that you have a good support system at home and keep your eye on the prize...just keep thinking about what that degree will mean for you and your family. It really helps!

Teresa - posted on 07/29/2010

Shanon,
I am a nursing faculty. My very first time I went to nursing school I was started when I was 7 months pregnant with my first child. I had him on break for Christmas. I totally understand. I am now on my PhD and that child is 22 soon to be 23 years old. I thought I would never make it through nursing school. The good news is I did. It is only a semester sister and you can do anything for 16 weeks. Remember that. That is what I tell all of my students. The reward is so much greater. Keep at it! You can do it. Look around and see what resources you can tap into...grandparents, parents, sisters, brothers, etc. Let them help you. The problem with us nurses is that we think we are super women and can do it all, but remember that even superwoman needed a little help every now and then! Wishing you well in your endeavor!

Natalie - posted on 07/28/2010

I am going to grad school working full time and I have two kids. I also have to do an internship at 15 hours/week. It can be done but it is hard. I know in the end it will be worth it. Just one more year and then we will be done. I have one more hard semester and then two more of just one class.

Shannon - posted on 07/28/2010

I am about to start my last year of nursing school. I have been doing this since my daughter was a baby and she is now 4. I also work full time and have two kids age 4 and 6. It has been ok this last couple of years, but recently they have decided to change our hour from 12 hour shifts to 10 hour shift. This means another day at work every other week. I already spend soooo much time away from my kids. I want to go part time, but we need the money and I would also like to try and get a job at this hospital as a nurse when I am done and don't want to burn any bridges. It is the only hospital in the town that I live in.
This next semester I am not going to see my children hardly at all due to class time, clinical schedule, and work. I feel torn between "keeping my foot in the door" so to speak and spending some time with my kids. A part of me says that they will survive and it is only 10 more months and it will be better by December.

Shannon

Teresa - posted on 07/28/2010

I not only work full time but also part-time and have done so while going to graduate school not once but twice full time. I am finishing my PhD this go round. It isn't easy but can be done. I have a wonderful husband who only has part-time work due to the economy right now, so this has actually helped me. Another thing helping is my children are spaced out in age. 22, 16, and 12. So when I started the first grad degree the youngest was only 5 but the other two children helped me greatly. Remember to take time to be with your children. Dedicate that time and do not allow school work to interrupt your family time. This is the hardest of all rules. I have school time and family time. The children are so use to it by the this point they know when is their time and when I am in school. So the door to my office is closed and dad is on duty. Also set up a dedicated office or office space. I used my kitchen table until this past January when the oldest child moved out. It is doable and like others have said, it instills the expectation in your children that continuing your education is important.

Natasha - posted on 07/27/2010

wow, I could never work full time and go to school full time, even without havin ga baby. good for you for doing that, honestly, I think you're amazing. How many classes is 15 credits? I will only be taking one class per semester so... it's REALLY part time. The only time I will take two classes is this September, when I am off work and still on maternity leave. My partner is very supportive and I have warned him that I will need him to be on board. Hopefully it works out, but I feel that I have to at least try. It was quite a competitive program to get into in the first place, and if I turn it down, I will never know...

Candice - posted on 07/27/2010

Its a very demanding thing going back to school haveing a job and haveing a child. I have a 4 year old work full time and go to school full time and im a single mom. Its hard but i know its the best form my son and I. The schooling is hard work, I failed my first test yesterday. And i wasnt not happy about it. And my job is very demanding. I got to school from 8am to 2pm then work from 5pm to 1am. I am very lucky that my job allows me to take my son with me to work 3 out of the 5 days i work. If you have a great saporrt team and ppl who can look after your baby when you need time to study and do home work (and you time) then go for it other wise i would hold off on the schooling until your baby is old enough to go to school. Best of luck.

Rachael - posted on 07/26/2010

I know going to school is the best thing I can do for my family, and was really excited to get going. However, I work full time, take 15 credits, and have a 15 month old and feel that a schedule like that is detrimental to my school, work, and family. The only reason I am home at all is one of my classes is done online. The hardest part is that my daughter is asleep when I leave and asleep when I get home and when I am home I am studying or doing homework. Next quarter I am cutting back on credits and I am already looking for a part time job. Not only is it really hard on me, but it's really hard my family. Such a full schedule has affected the quality of my work and homework because I'm so tired and can't focus properly. This is my first quarter of college ever and my classes are pretty basic. I can’t imagine taking harder or more demanding classes while doing this. I fully support going to school and wish you the best of luck. I just think it should be done with more careful planning than it might have needed before children. I was surprised at how hard this quarter has been for me despite the ease of the school work.