Any other mum's studying???

[BaDaBing]

Hi there,

I am wondering if there are any other mummy's out there who are studying. I have a toddler who is 21mnths and am 20weeks with my second bub and have a year or so left on my uni degree. I have been told that it can be very overwhelming having 2 kiddies and I desprately need some advice on how to get motivated and organised. I feel so tired and get easily distracted and am starting to feel really worried about how I am going to cope.

Also with my first bub my labour was so so long. My waters broke and then 46 hours later he was born, it was very tiring for both my and my hubby. I am worried how I am going to go if this labour is just as long considering this time I have another little being to think of. Has anybody got any tricks on how to have a speedy labour?? or is that wishful thinking...

Thanks
Sharn :confused:

[raziemam]

:) I am keen to get into uni too while my children are still young - my fourth child will be born in July. I have also been told how hard it is to study with small children. For now I am looking at studying part time so that at least I can begin my studies!

[mumworkingoverseas]

Hi Sharn,

I resumed studying last year when bub was 3 months, however I used childcare whilst I was at classes. I couldn't have done it otherwise. Luckily the childcare centre was at my partners workplace and he could pop in to see her regularly - which helped my peace of mind.

Most unis have subsidized childcare on offer to students but if it is anything like normal childcare you will need to book way in advance.

Perhaps you can just do one or two units part-time while you get into a routine and try to persuade your partner (if you have one) to look after the kids for set periods in the evening/weekend so you know there are set times when you can study.

It will be a juggling act no doubt, but most worthwhile things are never easy.

Good luck,
Tan.

[ThomasMum]

juggling between raising the children and studying. Not trying to scare you or anything, but from my experience it was hard enough finishing my degree before I had Thomas, let alone doing it altogether!

My husband is currently finishing his Master degree he told me many numbers of time how he wishes that he'd finished long ago before Thomas was born!

Take it slowly, one unit at time will do. And do it online-wise/correspondence so you can do it at home, this way you dont have to worry with classes/lecture.

We are all need to get some break from our routines. I'm thinking to go back to work soon eventhough my maternity leave is not end until 6th of Jan next year.

I'm sure you arent the only one who's doing this juggling act, and if they can do it, so can you Sharn!

Good luck :D

[alicesmum]

hi sharn
it is definitely a juggling act and i only have one!! i guess you already know what that's like. i just make the most of while she is sleeping. even more importantly, make the most of ABC kids in the mornings between 8-10am!!!!!!
good luck
rachel! :p

[mamafelix]

Personally I need to have at least 5-6 months off before I start studying again- with Felix it took me that long to feel confident as a mum, and also, more importantly to get my motivation and brain cells working again. Oh and I couldn't do it full time. Part time has been lovely, 2-3 days a week suits me best.

I've loved combining study with being a mum, but I love what I'm studying, and I have a good support network- my mum and my dh both do a day a week of child care so I can study. I'm sure it will be more challenging with two, but I'm hoping the 6 months off will give me a chance to adjust.

Plus being a post grad student I don't have the same pressure in terms of assignments/exams, I can negotiate with my supervisors, which is perhaps more flexible?


As far as a second birth goes- I know what you mean, my first birth was also very long and exhausting (36 hours of 'prelabour' contractions every 5 minutes, then 21 hrs 'active' labour), but my midwife has told me that is very unlikely to happen again, in fact she's worried I won't call her soon enough as with the second baby things tend to be a lot more speedy...

[BlueGin]

Hey Sharn,
we are trying to concieve at the moment, I am 2nd year into a 4 year course. I was just wondering how your lecturers/tutors reacted when you came close to your due date and needed some time at home? I am very lucky that my husband will be able to have 2 days off work midweek (though it means we will have no weekends together :( ) so I will have some help there, and apparently the campus childcare is pretty great (though not actually ON campus :confused: )
But, sorry to waffle, how have you found it with your first?
I would love to hear about your experiences, and good luck! :)

[cuddles2000]

hi i am a studying mum i study at home with thompson education. i have two kids one is 5 years old and anouther is 17 months old it is hard to study sometimes but i just get into a routine and do most of my study when my daughter is asleep or at night when there both asleep.
my names alice :)

[alicesmum]

hi Alice
you are the very first 'Alice' I have ever ever met (virtually or otherwise! :p )

What's it like being called Alice??? in your experience, do people have any particular associations with the name (Brady Bunch, Alice in Wonderland, etc?).

Do people stick to Alice or do they call you a nickname (like Ali?)

Sorry for this - just wondering about it for my daughter! Had so many people against the name when I chose it (some have turned around though, such as DH, thankfully!!!) but I love it so much.

cheers
Rachel :)

[Maxs_MumMy]

Hi,

My son is 6 weeks atm....i returned to study and f/t work when he was 3weeks...i find it as easy as i did when i was preggies. MOTIVATION is the key to success!!!
and get a rountine asap, i haven't had a trouble at all.been lucky.

good luck with everything

[JeSsIkA]

hi

i am at uni atm. i had my daughter when i was in my second year and so i took a year off and went back when she was 10months (that was last year). now i am in my last year and for me it hasnt really made things harder as my daughter goes to bed around 7 so i have lots of time after that to do uni work and plus my family has been great looking after my daughter 3 days a week.

i am now in my last year and pregnant with number 2, i am due in feb so wont have 2 kids while at uni. but i do have 6 straight weeks of hospital placement in nov/dec and i am worried how i will cope with that. as i know that i will become tired easy.

anyway, i am desperate to finish this course.. and to begin my graduate nurse program late next year, when bub is about 7 months.

[GabbiesMa]

I went back university this year after giving birth to my daugther last year, I took time off last year to enjoy my daughter without distraction. As I do study externally I had no problems with needing to go to classes while I was pregnant and it helps me now, I did study part time the year i was pregnant and am again studying part time, next year I will commence full time study again.
But, a routine has been my saving grace, without it I would have lost my mind probably! I have a wonderful support network of my husband and his parents so they have been a great help also.

[cuddles2000]

hi yeh u do get teased about it abit now and again but u get used to it and it isnt going to hurt anyone. no i dont have a nick name never have realy not that i can remeber anyway. usualy u get a laugh out of it yourself.