Advice for SAHM going back to school?

Question

I am currently a stay at home mom but I plan on going back to school in January to become a registered nurse. My daughter will be about 2 and a half years old. Does anyone have any good advice on how to balance the new demands of school with the demands of taking care of a family and the house? Thanks!

Answer 1

It is really hard to balance. You just have to make sure you set aside special time with your child, significant other, and also time for studying. The house cleaning will probably be put last on your agenda, unless you have someone who can do it for you. Meal planning is also important because you will be tired and not really wanting to cook. People alot of times don't realize that going to school full time is just about as demanding as having a full time job. More power to you for doing it though!! Good luck. :o)

Answer 2

I guess your hurband has to help alot. If you study and he works, home work remains for both of you, not for you only.

I'm a SAHM too and I will go back to school next school year (now I'm homeschooling, so I won't have to catch up later). Since my 2 friends I live with, work, we will have to balance it somehow. I suggest you hire some sort of a helper for the first few months.

Answer 3

Congrats! Time is the most important thing. Make sure you have time for your spouse and your daughter and everything should balance.

Answer 4

Look for opportunities to take internet courses.   They are a great opportunity for adults who are balancing work and family responsibilities and need to manage their time efficiently.

Recognize your limits.   It may be necessary to outsource something and re-distribute the workload.  You may need some part time childcare, or someone to help with housework occasionally, or you might need to revise your approach to preparing meals.  

Talk to your husband about the problem areas, and let him come up with some of the solutions, even if they're not exactly what you wanted.  That will give him some investment in the solutions.

Set apart a time and place for studying.  You may actually need to study somewhere away from your home and family, because they will want to interrupt you, and you will be tempted away from your work.   Maybe spend some time in the student center getting homework done.

Do not overlook your daughter as a resource in helping to get things done.   She can be doing small age appropriate activities to clean up after herself.  She'll love feeling like a "big girl".