How do you juggle being a mom and school?

Erin - posted on 11/05/2010

You have to be flexible when going to school with kids thats for sure! I went to school the next semester after having my oldest son, who I had two days before graduating high school! Then I went to night school two nights a week, two classes each night and took classes online. The night classes were tough because I'm the type of person that really needs her sleep! But it was also nice because I didn't have to pay for daycare, just gas to get to school lol. Those days were also tough because I would work in the mornings too so somedays I wouldn't see my son awake, but he was only 3 months old so he didn't really care. Eventually I had to take a few classes in the day, this is why I say you need to be flexible! But it worked out because it was days I already had a babysitter set up, I just lost hours of work :/ Then I had to take a few semesters off, waiting to get into the program I'm in and also because I had my second son. But now I'm going to school entirely online until I start clinicals next year. Online school is awesome you can do it when you have the time, like midnight when the kids are asleep. I also have the luxury of being able to do school work at my job which helps alot too! I really don't have to do any studying at home besides some reading occassionally. But I would say the one thing you need to go back to school is people who are going to believe in you and want to help you succeed. I am lucky to have my boyfriend, and my mom both of which help me immensely and really want me to graduate. Good luck with school!

Jade - posted on 11/05/2010

i have two kids 3 and 4 plus one baby on the way and i study a dipolma in children services from home

Karla - posted on 11/05/2010

I am studying and have been since my daughter was 5 months old. She is now nearly 6 years old. Definately do most of the study when your child is having naps and when they go to bed at night,it is when I get the bulk of my study done. If you can do any schooling or study online then seriously consider doing it that way because it is heaps easier with a child. It is not easy, it is very hard work, you need to be motivated and have good time management and stick to any study plans you make so you don't fall behind. But the empowerment you feel everytime you get a high grade motivates me to keep going with my studies. I have found it has helped my daughter also because she is growing up watching her mum study. She started school this year and she couldn't wait to learn and go to 'school' like mummy!!! Now we study together after school and it is a good bonding time. She tells me what she is working on, and I tell her what I am working on and we chat about ideas of what we can do (and yes it does work because kids have great imaginations and are so creative - my daughter has helped me out many times with ideas for assignments)!!! Good luck with going back to study Ashley :)

Ashley - posted on 11/04/2010

Thanks everyone. This really helps a lot. I appreciate the input. =]

Andrea - posted on 11/04/2010

I am a few months away from completing my first full year of online college classes. This is something I would highly recommend to anybody. Not having to work in a classroom setting where I have to be on campus at a certian time has been great for me. I am a single mom of three. Luckly my two oldest are school age, so it is just me and the 8 month old at home so I work on the computer when he is napping, when he wants to just sit with me and watch Elmo I will do some reading or even work on a paper when he is eating lunch. If need be I will do school work after all the kids go to bed. I do recommend trying to avoid this if you can and instead use this time for you to relax. I was doing a lot of my school work and stuff after the kids went to bed and started getting overwhelmed and my body was just exhausted from the day so I wasn't putting the effort towards my schooling that I should. Good luck to you and I hope everything works out for you.

Caitlin - posted on 11/04/2010

It's not easy.. Nap times and after they go to bed is time to catch up on my readings.. My husband takes them out sometimes when I need to get a paper done. Not striving for A+ is a good thing too.. I'm happy with a C or more on most things, because I get so little sleep with the 8 month old. Start off gradually, and don't feel bad doing it, because finishing school will help them out in the long run!

Allie - posted on 11/04/2010

It's no picnic thats for sure! I've been going part time for three semesters now. My classes have been online so far which is a HUGE help. But typically if I have a big paper to work on, I work a little during nap time and then after my son, who is two, goes to bed (8pm). I also have an extremely supportive husband so on Saturday's I typically spend 2-3 hours in the closest public library to get ahead (or caught up depending on the week). I'm working on my nursing degree and will eventually have to have inclass classes so we'll see how that goes. Good luck! And remember, don't feel bad about "not being around all the time" for your kid, you're doing it for your future and his/hers and they will love you completely no matter what.