Babble

Anyone out there going to school?  I start next month and my son will be 7 months.  Any words of wisdom?

I'm not going to school, but I've been mulling it over for a while. I really want to go back and get a degree in early childhood education, but I also plan on having more kids. I'd also love to hear how others are managing it.

Wow, more power to you.  I considered doing a distance-learning graduate program and even went so far as to apply and get accepted, but I've put it on hold for now.  Between working full time, having solo daddy duty 20+ hours a week, and trying to get some sleep, I hardly ever have time for other things -- like time with that rarely-seen person who I'm married to -- and it just seemed like too much...

Well, I have one more week before I start and have gotten my text books ahead of time and gotten a head start on my studying.  My biggest concern is having no idea day to day how much time I'll have since it depends on my son's mood, how long he naps for etc.  I'm beginning my prerequisites to apply to grad school for occupational therapy (I have a bachelor's, but in dance so I have all but 1 prereq to complete plus a bunch of volunteer hours.)  I'll let you know how it goes.

Please do! I'm really interested and seriously considering returning to school myself.

 

I went to school when my oldest was 0-6 years. It was great. Although, school is important you are paying to be there, not being paid to go - your choice and you can pick your schedule. When my daughter was sick, I didn't go ...  a call of explanation to my prof and I usually in the good books, fellow students provided notes.

Occassionally, my sitter was unavailable and I often would take my daughter with me. By age 3 she was happy to color quietly during a lecture, and one prof would set her up at his desk and even let her use his highlighters! For those classes she couldn't attend fellow students/friends were often happy to take her for an hour in the student lounge or cafeteria.

I think that going to school is a much more flexible environment for parents with children than most work places.

My child always went to a day-home but I know that most colleges and universities often have subsidized care for lower-income parents.

Probably the most diffcult part of being a student parent is the lack of income.

 

 

My mother started college when I was seven, and it had a profound and positive impact on me, since there were always books around, and since I saw her studying, I learned that school and education were not just for children but could be lifelong pursuits.  I don't know if my sister was similarly impacted, but it was good for me.

So far things are going really well.  Kynan learned to sit up just prior to my going to school.  This has been a big help as he entertains himself with his toys for quite a while. As long as I take breaks to interact with him, talk to him, play with him, he is happy and I am actually able to get some studying done.  (Although I'm kinda in the "golden period" right now since he entertains himself but is not yet mobile.)  I get a lot done during naptime as well.

My biggest worry was deadlines since I can't always predict my day.  I got my text books ahead of time and started reading and my husband has certain hours when he is "on duty" so that I can get some dedicated study time.  I've managed, in the first two weeks at least, to stay ahead of the game.  I find school a real nice way to have some intellectual stimuli, which is sometimes missing from my life as a stay-at-home mom but still spend a lot of time with him.  I'm taking 10 credits (developmental psych and abnormal psych) so its not overwhelming.  One class is online and the other is on campus.  A friend of mine who works from home watches him while I am on campus.

Good to hear some words of encouragement.  My own mother got her PhD while myself and my brother were young.  My parents divorced and so my mother did all of it as a single mom.  I have no idea how she did it, but she is certainly a great inspiration

 

I have been going to school since child #1 was under two.  Now child #2 is one year old, and I see no end in sight.  My best advice... be gentle with yourself.  You will have to give up a lot of expectations about how you keep your house, get things done, or even brush your teeth, but you probably know that from your mothering experiences.  Go with the flow, and study while they sleep.  Take a nap when you need one.  Professors can be forgiving if you put out a good effort.  Hang in there, you will at least make new aquaintences, and its worth it.

Camille, I'm a new occupational therapist.  I finished grad school a year ago in May.  The field is great, and I know several young moms who got through school with young children.  From my experience, know that you are going to be working HARD.  Find out from the program that you're interested in if you have to take the courses at a full load or if they will be flexible.  Find out if bringing your baby to class is ever an option.  (I heard of someone who brought her child to all the peds classes so they had a "test subject" to demonstrate with!)  Also know that you will have to complete several internships including six months of full time work--for free.   

You can do this, and I know you'll be happy when you are done.  But it's going to be challenging--which I'm sure you already know.  :-)  I'm sure there are ways to figure everything out.  Keep us posted!  I'd love to hear how things are going!

Just thought I'd check in with the post in case anyone out there is interested.  So far things have been going great.  I'm taking my time getting my prereqs done, taking one course at a time.  It'll take me some time this way, but I'm not overwhelmed and I can really enjoy both my son and school.  I took chemistry this summer and loved it!  I certainly never expected that.  In fact, I got a 4.0.  Okay, I know I'm gloating just a bit, but it really was a confidence booster for me. 

BabyCakies, just out of curiosity what area of OT are you in?  I've done some volunteer work in peds and in hand therapy, but not sure where I'd like to be.  

-Camille