Is anyone currently enrolled in school and feeling the pressures of juggling family & school?

Angela - posted on 05/11/2012

I recently switched my major from nursing to culinary arts thinking that the required special classes would be easier...Nope, they're just longer hours at school and with my son going on 5 months and my step-daughter turning 2 in August, it's stressful, especially when obtaining Pell Grant and VA benefits. They expect a lot out of the students they help but don't realize that with this economy, it's getting so much harder to attend school while dealing with bills, and trying to find a trustworthy babysitter (or having your spouse/partner stay home). You can't really work because you need to go f/t in order to make as much as possible to pay for the bills. UGH!!! This economy, especially school, is SO STRESSFUL. I was making A's and B's before my son was born, now I've just failed all my classes this semester and it is so unlike me.

Megan - posted on 04/05/2012

OHHH YES!!!!!! I feel the same exact way. my first semester in school i was motivated and focused even got good grades and made the deans list, but by my second semester i am just worn out and am barely passing. i somehow put so much effort into my school at first i forgot to take care of myself, then of course that doesnt help with the family life at home either. i was to tired after getting home from school all day that the housework and healthly eating were being put set aside more often. now im founding my self drowned in chores and piles of laundry on my weekends, and im 10 pound heavier. n2m my sons acts up alot more because it became more difficult to keep my son on the same schedule everday, because of homework and school. n2m im founding myself getting depressed because i really miss working, i was in the military for 4 years before i started school. so for me sitting in a desk all day is very hard because i was always so active all the time before.

Angela - posted on 03/18/2012

I too unfortunately have nothing encouraging to add except, you are NOT alone. I have my husband who works odd hours but is able to have the days off that I have to be on campus which is twice a week, thank goodness for that. I have my step-daughter who is 19 months and my son who is 3 months. The thing that stresses me out big time is when I get home from school and right away, the kids are shoved at me. I don't get time to eat or relax for a bit, something that I always give my husband when he gets home from work. I guess it not only is stressful but depressing as well.

That is the thing I would like to know from the other moms here if there is experience to be learned from.

How did/do you get a breather when you got/get home from a long day at school?

Monica - posted on 09/04/2009

Been there and still am!! There are times when you do need just to scream :). I know it is hard to balance everything. I carry a huge bag and one very big calendar with me everywhere because any chance I get to read a few pages or dash off a few bills, I take advantage of the time. It will seem counterproductive at first but taking a day to organize your life will help you in the future. I have went so far to pre-make bags of dog/cat food up so that all I have to do in the morning is pull that dog's bag and put it in the bowl. I label them by the name of the dog/cat, day of the week and whether it is the morning or night feeding. This has prevented someone from going without food. Just always remember there is a light at the end of the tunnel -- sometimes it does not seem as bright as other times but it is still there.

Aurora - posted on 09/02/2009

dont get a dead end job its not worth it stick to ur goal and achieve it im back in school i just started last nite and i have 2 keep my full time job as an lvn because i cant afford 2 cut back on my hrs. so i feel u on the wanting 2 scream part im tired but i want 2 finish what i started n so should it its worth it in the long run =)

Christine - posted on 09/02/2009

Certainly, luv! Just the other day, when my work asked for my new availability, I had to pull out my school schedule, my fiance's school and work schedule AND my son's school schedule... Thank God for online classes! But even that is going to be difficult, I think.

The biggest thing to remember (as several other people have said already) is to keep your sights on the future and focus on how much better your lives will be once you have a degree and can get a better job. It's either going to be hard now for a short while, or hard later for a longer time. You want your child(ren) to have every affordable oppurtunity to experience and learn and grow... And unfortunately, money is a big part of that, lol.

Just keep on keeping on, luv, and it will all pay off in the end.

Good luck!

Libby - posted on 09/02/2009

During the first semester of my sophmore year, I ended up getting married and pregnant. My whole world was turned upside down. But now, a year later, I have a beautiful little boy and more reason than ever to get my degree. Still, I find myself under so much stress because my mom watches my son while I'm at school, I get home late and she never puts him to sleep. My husband is away at boot camp, so most of the time it's just the two of us. I have a really hard time finding time to study, mainly after he goes to bed.
Balancing being a mom and being a student is hard, but just think of how much better both of your lives will be because of it. Plus, if your child found themselves in a similar situation, wouldn't you want them to stick it out. We have to set a good example for them!! After all, isn't that what every parent wants? For their child to have a better life than they do?...

Jhazzon - posted on 09/01/2009

yes i do like i cant do this what was i thinking i just keep reminding myself that it will pay off in the end

Kaylene - posted on 08/31/2009

I feel like that everyday. I had my daughters at age 18 and 19 and had to drop out of high school and get a ged and worst I was an honors student with a full ride scholarship at the time. I promised myself I would go to college still but I know I have to do it while I'm still young to make it easier on me as far as memory and things. Now I am taking 12 credits on campus and I work 50 hours plus on graveyard shift. Sometimes I work as many as 105 hours in 2 weeks. I am the only one that provides financially for my children and I know I have to do this for them to have a better life and so I can see them more. My husband pretty much just lives here I have a friend watch them for me as well.

Marie - posted on 08/30/2009

I just started school 2 weeks ago and am already feeling the pressure of juggling everything. It's not easy but you'll make it work because you and your family are worth it! My 4 year old is finally starting preschool tomorrow and during that time my 10 month old will hopefully be sleeping. That's when I'll get to study, or after the girls are in bed. My hubby isn't much help but I'm trying to get him more involved. He know's right now is a time to sacrifice and he's getting a little better. Remember who and what you are doing this for. Good luck, you can do it!!!

Tawni - posted on 07/01/2009

oh you are not alone hun... i have a 4 year old and one on the way who will be less than a month old at the start of the next term- but I have so much riding on graduating and enough loans that would kick in if I dropped out for a semester that it's simply not an option to quit- and i would also lose my priority registration for clinicals if i were to drop to part time... we're struggling to pay for the basics of life and do not have dependable transportation on top of it... sometimes it can feel like everything is going to swallow you whole... but it is not worth it to walk away from what you've already started.. my best advice is to find a way to take just one day a week and make it a special day to just "be" with your family.. plan special activities for that night each week- no excuses-if someone's sick- find a way to make it special for them too- one meal out every couple of weeks(even if it's cheap fast food-just go inside to sit down and eat it) but that way you have that one night to just remember what you're struggling for... and remember- try not to go to bed angry- make each moment you can as special as possible.. just in case it's your last... no regrets.. just know that you're doing what you're doing not only for yourself but for your family... your children.. and no matter what happens.. you gave it your best effort :) good luck :)

Janet - posted on 06/30/2009

Hello Ninamarie! I know exactly how you feel. For the past few years I have been going to school full time and I also have three children at home. My two oldest ones are 17 and 14 and are girls, my youngest is five, a boy. My two girls aren't much help all they want to do is chat on the computer or phone and my son wants my attention almost constantly. I barely get any time to study. Sometimes I get so stressed out I feel like I am going nuts. But, somehow I do manage. I usually find time to study late at night after everyone's in bed or early in the morning before anyone wakes up. Thank God though I only have one more semester to go and then I am done. So, just hang in there, it will be worth it. Goodluck!

Rebecca - posted on 06/28/2009

Oh and with the new baby, my oldest gets assistance for daycare and my fiance stays at home 3 days of the week with the baby. I can't bring myself to put her daycare, especially since it's $155 a week!

Rebecca - posted on 06/28/2009

I understand completely. I've been going to college since my oldest (which is now 5) was 2 months old. I was going for teaching but my daughters "father" was not any help at all so I had to quit and get a dead end job 20 hrs a week. But! I am with a great guy now and started the medical assisting program last august which I enrolled for in May of '08. Needless to say By July I was pregnant again...I went through both semesters pregnant and having to drive 2 1/2-3 hours every morning and afternoon to take my oldest daughter to my moms and then back to school, I was getting up at 4 am every morning! I reminded myself every morning that I was going to school FOR my children. So they would have a great life. I have stood on my porch and screamed because of the stress of my 5 yr old and the pregnancy and school...but now, I have 2 beautiful little girls, one that is 5 yrs old and one 3 mos. and I will be graduating July 29, 2009!!! As stressful as it seems and as far away as your goal may be...it's worth it. :-) Hope this helps.

Gina - posted on 06/28/2009

I don't have any advise, but I know what you're going through. I'm greatful I'm on summer break right now. As a single mom in school, I not only felt overwhelmed, I felt guilty as well for not spending as much time with my daughter than I thought I should. I don't know if any of this helped, but remember you're not alone.

Rachel - posted on 06/25/2009

I know how you feel! I have a 1 year old little boy. My husband works long hours and isnt much help when he comes home! I understand that he is tired and wants some peace, but i sometimes feel like he forgets that I have the baby ALL day long and I have school work to do as well. Whatever you do....dont give up on school! Everytime you feel like giving up, you have to remember how much better things will be for your family if you finish! Believe me, I often want to scream too, but I know that I cant give up! Its not easy, but nothing in life worth having ever is!

Emliy - posted on 06/10/2009

Absolutely!!! I have 3 girls. I run an in-home child care business. I go to school full time. I am a Girl Scout leader and a soccer coach. My oldest daughter plays softball for her school and all their games are roughly 30-45 minutes away. I feel the pressure!!!



It helps to stay organized! It also helps to make sure that you have your priorities straight and to set certain times of the day aside to deal with certain things.



Have a glass of wine. That can help too! :)