How to Study with A Two Year Old

Megan - posted on 03/03/2010

I go to Mesa Community College and transfer to Phoenix College (not to be confused with University of Phoenix) have a 2 yr old son, also working full time, I study when am on my breaks at work, and when my son in down for his nap or for the night. I am tired in the morning when i get up for work

Laura - posted on 03/01/2010

My daughter is only 3 months old but I remember my friend who has an 18 month old. She said she had to do all her work in the library while he was in nursery because once she got home she could never get anything done. So maybe if you can afford to put him in nursery for a few hours a day might help. I don't know what it's like in the US but here in the UK childcare for students is paid for, you can also get help with it through working tax credits but i don't know what equivalent to that you have in the US

Tannisha - posted on 02/13/2010

The only thing I have found that works for me (my daughter is two years and nine months) is to study while she is sleeping. I go to school on campus and so this usually ends up with me getting four hours or less of sleep which is exhausting. It's the only thing I have found that works...

Sherri - posted on 02/06/2010

I have to do most my studing when she goes to sleep during nap time and at night. It is not easy and sometimes just have to close us off in a room and let her play as I do what I have to do. Try not to take so many classes that you bog yourself. I am going to school to be an RN and it is a lot of work. Just don't give up it won't be long and it will be worth every sleepless night.

Anj - posted on 02/06/2010

Honestly I admire you! I would suggest trying at nap time and when he is sleeping at night. Also would you consider some day care or home care even just once a week? This would really help you. All the best

Aana - posted on 02/05/2010

I go to the University of Arkansas, and find that (unfortunately) the best time for me to study is at night, after my son goes to sleep. It makes for some nights when I get very little sleep, but I think that it better to not have to juggle them both. Also, you might want to look into getting your two year old into some kind of one day a week day care program, which at least gives you a little time. If you're going for distraction, I find that coloring is a way to get your kid out of your hair for a little. My son at this point calls it "doing my homework" in fact, it's a way to make him feel like he's doing something with me, while I get to get my stuff done.

Kat - posted on 01/26/2010

Establish a schedule, and stick to it. I'm in my 5th block at Axia College of UoP and my kids are 1, 2, 4, 5, & 7. The only thing that keeps me sane is knowing that I'll get to do my work at the same time every day. Of course, it doesn't always work out, and the first 2 weeks of a new routine is tough. But overall it's better than when I was just trying to find a free minute every here-and-there. Here's what mine looks like:

5.00 - I get up and have some "me" time
7.00 - breakfast. (if they're up early, they have to play quietly until 7)
8.30 - oldest goes to school, other kids play, I do housework or whatever
11.30 - lunch.
12.30 - quiet time. I put the baby in bed with a stuffed dog that plays music, shut the
door, and wait at least 30 minutes before checking on him (even if he's crying).
The older kids have to stay in the living room and watch a movie without talking,
while I work on school stuff
3.00 - snack time. (if the baby'snot up yet, I wake him)
4.00 - oldest gets home, I help with homework while cooking supper
5.30 - supper, family time (we play crazy for a while then read a book to calm down)
7.00 - bedtime starts: big kids go to the bathroom, baby gets changed, hugs &
kisses, etc. Then we turn off the light and there's no talking.
I do my school work, facebook, watch TV...
11.00 - Sleep!

Good luck! Btw, what are you taking?

Laurin - posted on 01/25/2010

My 3 year old and 21 month old go to mother's day out twice a week for 200 dollars a month for both of them. I go to the local library and study there for the 5 hours they are at mother's day out. I also study at night when they are in bed. Mother's Day out has been a godsend and is very cheap. Look at churches in your area, methodist churches are more likely to have MDO.

Lisa - posted on 01/07/2010

I have a similar problem. I am a single parent with a 2.5 yr. old going to school through Colorado Tech. University since Feb. 2009. I have found that the best time for me to do schoolwork is at her naptime or after she goes to bed for the night. That way she's not running around and I can concentrate.

It gives you less time overall to do your work, so you have to really focus, but it's the best way.

Good luck!

Whitney - posted on 01/04/2010

I go to school at a local 2 year college (JWCC) here in town. I have a 2yr old son, also. My latest class is over at 9pm this semester. My son will wait til I get home b4 he goes 2 bed. He does not like 4 me to read him his books but he will sit on my lap while I read a textbook chapter out loud to him. It's me and him time while I get my reading done. I made it clear to him tho that when mom is studying he needs to play by himself 4 just a lil while. Make those boundaries known yet always have study breaks to spend sum time with ur son.

Brooke - posted on 12/02/2009

If your childs only two, you should be able to give them about an hour nap or so. If you can't get em down for a nap, drive around until he/she passes out, then try puttin em down while you study. Or just try dropping your child off at the grandparents or friends for a few hours. Some people trade and take turns babysitting, that way you don't have to lose out on paying a babysitter, and all you have to do is return the favor. Sometimes popping in a movie can help too. well, that's all the advice i thnk i have. Good luck :)

Laurel - posted on 12/02/2009

A few people have made great suggestions or shared experiences that i have had as well. It might be worth finding someone to watch him for a couple of hours every other day. And I've done online and found it hard for me to motivate myself to focus on it when my daughter wanted/needed so much of my attention. I now realize that I have to go to class in order to guarentee that I will take time for it. I realize that may not be in your ability or preference so here are a couple of things that I have used:



1.Help him understand the idea of HOMEWORK TIME and it being an important time for you to focus on what you're doing. My daughter is two as well and when I remind her that it is mommy's homework time, she wants to do her homework.



2. Your homework time is HIS HOMEWORK TIME. Create some activity he needs to do: ABC activity, color with color pencils, make picture using stickers, watch a DVD that he loves, etc. My daughter and one year old son both get out of my face for at least an hour or so. That's enough time for me to start something to finish when they are napping or down for the night.



3. Another thing that has helped is having a time for her to be at my computer (after i'm done) doing learning activities on the computer. She is excited because she feels grown up and important as she uses the mouse (on her own) to play the ABC or counting or coloring or shape game.



Hope this helps.

Krystal - posted on 12/02/2009

I am a UofP student with twin boys that are 4 and a 3 yr old son. I have maintained a 4.0 the entire time so far. What works for me is I have a babysitter come 3 days a week just for 4 hrs each day. The hours are 9 am to 1 pm and the sitter feeds them lunch but keeps them awake. Then when I get home I lay them down and my 4 hrs turn into 6 hrs three days a week and it only costs me $60 a week.

Rae - posted on 12/01/2009

I tried the online classes, and I could not do it. It is too hard to study at home. Now I GO to class for some quiet time to study. If you can do it more power to ya!

Linda - posted on 11/30/2009

Hey Im a Uof P student too!!!!! and have a 3 yr old. Maybe we can help each other out im starting today any advice and whats your major?

Paola - posted on 11/29/2009

Hi, I'm also taking online classes at the university and I know how hard it is to study with a 2 years old boy. Early in the morning before he wakes up, then when he takes a nap and finally at night, when he goes to sleep, are the perfect time to study. Durind the virtual class I try to give him a meal, snack or a video the he likes.

Tonya - posted on 11/28/2009

I know it is hard i know first hand. it helped to give my 2 yr old son some books and crayons when i would study that way he felt like he was being like mommy. Theres been a many of late night studying and early rises. Hang in there youll make it

Kate - posted on 11/25/2009

I usually have to wait until my 2 year old is down for a nap or in bed for the night before I can study or do any homework for classes.

Eli - posted on 11/24/2009

what i recommended is finding other moms around your area and setting up a time for a play date that way you can have a little bit of a break since you son will be distracted and you will be able to focus on your work.

Vanessa - posted on 11/23/2009

I go to the University of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada. My son is 18 months old and always pesters me whenever I open a book or my laptop, so I totally know where you're coming from! I have an old keyboard from an old computer that I've cut the cord off of, when I'm on the computer I give it to him and this usually distracts him for at least 10 minutes. Sometimes I'll give him a snack in his high chair which keeps him busy for awhile. I try to use things like pudding, popsicles, yogourt: things that take a while to eat. They are also the messiest, which I think that's why it takes him 1/2 hour to eat it!! I also get a lot done while he's napping. Does your son still nap? Hope some of my suggestions work! good luck!