Graduate School Moms

Anitra - posted on 01/21/2009

Ann,

I understand how you feel.  It is very difficult to manage schoolwork and children.  I have two girls ages (4) and (8) and they still have the "mommy" needs.  It is difficult and I get burned out, but when I look at them I want them to have a future where they can go to college and not have to worry about money and having a job like I did in my undergrad studies.

Sheila - posted on 01/18/2009

It is difficult. I have a five year old and a three year old and I'm now in my second year of a PhD program in anthropology....only two more semesters of courses left. I keep telling myself that it will get easier to juggle everything when the coursework is out of the way. Let's hope that is the case.

Rhonda - posted on 01/17/2009

I started my family at the age of 19. I am in my second semester of my Master's program. It is challenging trying to balance time with my youngest child who is 8 and my studies. My teenagers are pretty independent, so they let me study, but I also need to help them with their homework too. I try to make time for all of us to do homework together, but it soes not always work that way.

Donette - posted on 01/17/2009

You're are not alone and it is hard. This past fall I started my first semester of the Doctor of pharmacy program with a 3 year old, 1 year old,and I was 8 months pregnant. I had the baby one month into the semester and believe me..it was a full load-14 hours.I didn't have a choice though. It was either that or not go. Sometimes you just have to remember why you are doing it. I am doing it because I love the profession and so that my kids can grow up with a better life that me and their daddy grew up with.

And if your classmates are like mine, they are probably envious of you because you have it all and they are struggling just to get through school.

Moms in school are amazing. Hope that helps.

Angie - posted on 01/14/2009

I started grad school when my daughter was 5 months old, and now she's 21 months, and we are trying for another. People think I'm nuts, but I know that its going to be hard, but I want to do it anyway. My only problem is trying to keep our toddler busy while momma is trying to do homework.....I keep beating myself up because these are formative years in her life, and by the time I'm done, she will be in kindergarten and I will have missed out on a lot of bonding time with her. I'm still trying to deal with that. I have an awesome husband who does almost everything around the house, and will be a SAHD when we have child #2. I'm loving my cohort group, though. All non-trads with children and other responsibilities. Good luck ladies, and take one day at a time!

Brenda - posted on 01/14/2009

I'm starting grad school, in well a couple weeks.  I'm hoping to have my baby in May before finals so I don't miss any time!  It should be interesting trying to schedule around the birth of the kiddo.  I have one that is 3 1/2 and will be raising this new one along with grad school.  I'm taking it easy this first semester, only taking two classes, but plan to go full time in the fall.  I cannot wait.  Mostly because it will be nice to be out of the house.  I've been mostly sahm since my husband's schedule made it impossible to work after my baby sitter (his step mom) got ill.

Heidi - posted on 12/05/2008

Ann-Michelle

I am a grad student, new to this board, with two small children. One is three and the other completely reliant on my breast milk for nutrition. I only take 6 credits at a time and I cannot imagine taking any more than that. I do a load of laundry every day in order to keep up. What is hard is that my three year old should be potty trained and we are struggling with this. So....we have two kids in diapers. We also cloth diaper our children. Are we out of our minds? It saves money and on the landfills and I prefer it. When I go to class, my husband watches the kids. I prepare for class by allowing plenty of time to pump. It is a challenge to keep bottles clean and make sure my bag has all the books and assignments I need. Going to class and studying allows me to have an outlet so that I am that much better of a mom when I get back home. Am I exhausted? Yes. I do what I can. And 99 days out of 100 our home is a complete disaster. My home was always picked up before children. Something has got to give and it is the home. There is time that we reserve on the calendar for family time, but it is few and far between for us to organize something special, our family is so busy. Hope that helps. We also do a date night swap with another family so we can get out once a month for a date. It has been a challenge to even do that...but we have done it.

Rachel - posted on 11/26/2008

I just recently started grad school. I am fortunate that I share an office with a fellow single grad school mom that is in her dissertation phase. That helps a lot because she is understands that feeling that you are the only parent on campus. I definitely look forward to the adult conversation with other classmates as well.

Rachael - posted on 11/20/2008

AHHHH I feel the same way! My son is 2 and daughter is 6 months and boy is it a challenge in itself. School on top of it is overwhelming at times. It is really hard to fully concentrate. I have to schedule time in between my classes to pump in my car. When I am home and I try to lock myself away to study or do homework I feel left out because my husband and kids are in the living room playing and I want to join in. It will be worth it in the end but I am feeling the same way you are. I have to commute an hour each way to school so that is tough because it is an extra 2 hours I am away from my babies! I crunched my schedule down to 3 days a week (full credits) so I at least get two days home with them. I am glad there is someone else going through the same thing. What are you in school for? I am in the nursing program at Montana State University. I am in my junior year "technically", I think it will take a few more years to finish the program!

Joy - posted on 11/20/2008

I can feel your pain! I have a now 11 month old who was only 5 months old when I started grad school 2 years to go! I work full time and am doing a part-time evening/online proram. I carried 8 hours this past summer and have had 12 this semester. It is a challenge! What keeps me going is remembering why I am doing this right now - to provide better opportunities for my family, especially my son. Also, I will be done with my program by the time my son turns 3 and he will never remember my going to class.I am grateful for a flexible work schedule and a husband who helps to share the load. A friend of mine who completed grad school with an infant was very appreciative of the adult conversation that she got from her classmates. I hope this helps!