calling all studying/working Mums...
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Category: Have A Baby?
Forum Name: First baby? Second or more?
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URL: https://www.ohbaby.co.nz/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=18719
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Topic: calling all studying/working Mums...
Posted By: LittleBug
Subject: calling all studying/working Mums...
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 2:57pm
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So I thought I would start a thread for all the studying and/or working mums out there.
I'm starting back at uni on Thurs *scary* and I am just wondering... am I crazy? How do others do it? How do you get all the housework done, see your baby enough, etc? What do you do for childcare, and does it work out for you? I want lots of details about how you find it, and whether it works for you and the kids. I'm doing a biomedical science degree at uni, majoring in reproduction and development (ironically). This is the last semester I have to complete to get my degree. I would love to hear back from others who are studying or working, and see how they manage!! And just out of curiosity, it would be cool to know who does what, too. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Replies:
Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 3:01pm
I'm going to be doing both.. from home.. yeah I think I'm mad 
I do most of my work stuff while Daniel is asleep and on weekends. There is some I can do when he is awake but not overly much now, he gets far too involved. I'm going to do my study in the evenings. I usually read every evening for 2-3hrs so I'm converting that to study time. I'm only doing 2 papers this semester (if they hurry up and tell me if I've been accepted). Next year we will look at putting Daniel into daycare for a couple of afternoons a week just so that I can have a break from him but also so I can get more work done. But over winter our budget is too tight to afford this. |
Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 3:02pm
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I was also curious about anyone that does work or study from home... how does that work out? I'm thinking of doing midwifery next year, and a lot of it is distance taught... but I'm still unsure about whether to do part-time or full-time study. If I do full-time study I can do a lot of it at home, but realistically, will I actually get the time to do it if I'm staying at home with a toddler?
ETA: You beat me to it, kebakat! Wow, that sounds really full on. ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 3:36pm
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*waves* working mum here. I reluctantly went back to work when Michaela was 5mo and DH quit his job to be a SAHD. I am lucky because I work for a company that allows flexible hours so I start early and finish early every day so I can spend some daylight hours with my little lass. Since September last year we've been tag-team parenting. I work from 7:30am-3:30pm then take over child care. We used to literally pass each other in the street and DH would hand over Michaela when DH was working from 4pm - 9:30pm but he has recently increased his hours so starts at 2pm and my MIL (who lives downstairs) now takes care of Michaela for a few hours from when DH leaves for work and I get home. We've considered child care too, to give DH a break and also because he does some work from home but like Stacey finances don't stretch atm. -------------  
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Posted By: mrshouse
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 4:31pm
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hey im doing my Bachelor health sciences at uni and ive got one semester to go but will be spreading it over 2 as theres only so much i can handle with a 1 year old and being pregnant! ive pretty much done alot of my papers at home- i thought once i had miss1 i could do sum study at home while she slept and quickly found out i couldnt get anything done during the day and would have to wait til DH got home and weekends was a bliss! its a bit of a sacrifice. this next semester il be sure to put miss1 in daycare for atleast 2 days a week so i can get some good study done! i was also looking into midwifery....its another 3 year course though and im just trying to get some more info on how it all works so i can see if it will fit in- it sounds great if its alot of learning from home! ------------- http://www.baby-gaga.com/"> 
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Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 5:24pm
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I am doing it from home now that it is too far away for me to get to uni. It is possible just dedicate time to study, baby and housework. ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: Snappy
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 5:34pm
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I studied full time with my first child..
I fell pregnant half way through my first year doing a Bachelor of Design. I managed to finish the year off and returned back for Year 2 when Janaya was 6 weeks old. I actually took her with me to my lectures some days. and other days my dad or DH would have her (DH and my dad worked shift work) The following year my aunt had Janaya 4 days a week. Year 3 i had janaya in full time childcare as me and DH split for a while so was on the DPB, so i was lucky to have paid childcare at this time. If I wasnt in a lecture i was in the library studying, or typing up essays. I would usually collect Janaya around 3.30pm and would spend a few hours with her, then once she was in bed i would do the housework. The worst times were end of semesters when EVERYTHING was due all at once. During this time i would go to mums in the weekends and she would watch janaya for me while i studied. I also had many all nighters where i would have 2 hours sleep just to get things done. On top of that i had to work a saturday so we had enough money to live. But i passed 
When Janaya was three i began full time work and in my opinion this was much worse than studying full time. I would get home at 5.30pm and would be lucky to have an hour with janaya before she fell asleep for the night . At least with studying i was able to pick her up at 1pm and do some work once she was in bed at night. ------------- Mummy to two beauties... Formerly Kaiz. |
Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 7:11pm
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i study part time from home and work part time too!
im doing a batchelor of applied science natural resource management degree  not really what i want to do now that im almost finished tho!!
have about a year and a bit to go, but im lazy and am finding it hard to get motivated to get back into it ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: chonni
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 7:48pm
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hey i was just woundring what sort of companys let you work from home i really need some extra money but i wont be able to get mila into child care because of the long waiting lists ------------- 
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Posted By: busymum
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 8:06pm
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I'm a bit like MrsMojo, since October last year I have been working 30-35 hours/week while my DH is SAHD. He has not found it easy, primarily because he has had 3 preschoolers to contend with at once, and they go to playcentre (parents attend) not daycare (parents drop off). But we're getting there.... also, we are about to enroll Hannah in kindy so that DH has some time with "only" two. -------------  |
Posted By: AnnC
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 8:27pm
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I work Part time but fill in alot which means I am almost working full time some weeks.
Its not easy - its pretty tough. You need to be organised (which tht is not one of my strong points) I use home based childcare with a lady who I knew already. She is great and very flexible with hours - which i needed so normal Childcare centres wouldn't of worked for me. As for house work - ummmm its ok when i am part time - but full time it gets a wee bit stressful to get it done - which is normlly in the weekend. And that Ironing pile just grows and grows LOL
You do need your Dh/DP help if you have one.... its important they help out cause you have 2 jobs to their one - One as study/work and one as a mother (lets face it its a 24/7 job) I have found it hard this week and last week as Rhyley is sick and not sleeping as good as he normally does and so triedness is also happening . But when I am part time i love it - i love to get out and mingle with adults (in my job I have alot of contact with regular people) and because i am one of the experienced in my job where i am I feel very important other than MUM (IYKWIM) ------------- Ann 
Also Mum to Josh (15) and Brooke (10) |
Posted By: lizzle
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 8:54pm
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I completed my teaching diploma extramurally while at home with a newborn and a toddler. i did it part-time.
Placements were tough. Most daycares don't take temporary things like that. We found one that would and they were fabulous. As for the study - i made a plan and stuck to it like glue. I actually found that i did much better this time around that when i did my degree without having kids. You simply can't procrastinate. if something needs doing you have to do it. I found that a big wal planner was a must. i spent about four hours examining each assignment, working out due dates, how long I'd need to spend on each. I also found an online study group. we split up the readings and made summaries for each other. A HUGE help. And i skipped a few readings as weel
Assignments, I met some people who had completed the same course and they let me look at theirs to make sure I was on the right track. SOOoooooo helpful Study and babies can be done, but you need to spend some time oragnising yourself. |
Posted By: Candkids
Date Posted: 30 June 2008 at 9:55pm
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chonni we use a home based caregiver too its fantastic and soooo flexible, i just tell her what time im droping jett off in the morning, and what time i will pick him up, if im runing late she doesnt mind one bit.
you could try phoning a company like PORSE or homegrown kids, the one jett is with it thru quality kids, but not sure if thats just a BOP organization or nz. as for the working from home thing. you could try sales companys like, homecare, avon or nutrimetics ???? i think they all have websites. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow"> DD 10.5yrs DS 6yrs DS 11mths 5 little angles watching from above |
Posted By: mum2paris
Date Posted: 01 July 2008 at 12:15am
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I think there was another post similar to this not too long ago.
Most people know me - I had both my girls during my training to be a nurse so have been pregnant and had a new bubba 2 times while traning and doing placments and running ahouse, the second time obviously ihad a 1 yr old to contend with also. I now work 4 shifts a week as a nurse in neonates, and mike has started studying - so we know what the other has been thru - is going thru and support each other. All i can say is you both need to be equal in doing housework, baby care and stuff otherwise you get really miffed with studying and being a mum and your partner not helping - good support is the biggest and best piece of advice i can give you. ------------- Janine and her 2 cool chicks, Paris & Ayja 
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Posted By: Ariana
Date Posted: 01 July 2008 at 1:09pm
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Hey I started my teaching degree in 2003. I missed term one 2004 as had a newborn, returned term 2 with 6 week old. 2005 Victoria went into daycare just so I could have some time to do work. 2006 had another baby, 2007 They both went to daycare and finally I finished my degree end of 2007 YAY!!. If you are going to study you maybe entitled to more childcare, you will need to ring WINZ.
Also myself personally I enjoyed going to UNI as opposed to distant learning as I got some 'me' time, and got to interact with other people doing the same thing. ANd like the others said night time was when I got washing etc done, and if you have family to rely on do so as you will need it. Good luck!! ------------- Ariana Mum to Minardi, Victoria, Alecia and William. |
Posted By: Paws
Date Posted: 01 July 2008 at 1:47pm
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I'm pretty sure I'm mad...working and studying full time, not to mention re-training for a totally different field!!
Miss M is day care full time though so that helps a lot! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 01 July 2008 at 2:50pm
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Wow, I feel heaps better after reading all your posts, because at least I know it can be done, even though it sounds tough!
And lizzle, I think that's a good point, I hope I find studying easier this time around even though I have a little one to look after... because being a Mum has definitely taught me about time management, if anything else! As you said, no time to procrastinate, lol. Let's hope that I can stay on track! I can't wait to graduate at the end of the year. It's going to be pretty crazy to start with. Chloe managed to get into daycare but only one day a week to start with. So the other days, Chloe will be fobbed off to a friend, my sister, one day with me (I have no class on Wednesdays) and hopefully Daddy can come home early from work on the other day. Hopefully the daycare will have more hours for her soon, which would make things easier. We will be using the daycare subsidy for studying, and the rest of the daycare $$ we will be putting on the student loan (daycare can be claimed as course costs). I really hope it all works out!! What do you do with your kids when they are sick and can't go to daycare!?
BTW I think that you are all legends for managing to be Mummies as well as doing all of this!! ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: mummy_becks
Date Posted: 01 July 2008 at 3:41pm
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When I first found out we were moving up to Waiouru I thought I would but the boys into daycare fulltime. However I have now decided against that. And now Andrew is doing Kindy (5 mornings a week) and Josh will do 3 full days at daycare. That means that I have 3 mornings to dedicate to study without children around. The other 2 mornings I can fit in some study if Josh sleeps and then the afternoons Josh is at daycare I can still study if I entertain Andrew with playhouse disney ------------- I was a puree feeder, forward facing, cot sleeping, pram pushing kind of Mum... and my kids survived! |
Posted By: BaAsKa
Date Posted: 01 July 2008 at 3:55pm
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I went back to work full time a few months ago (was only 3 months of work though) - DH worked from 6am till 3pm then took over from me and i went to work 4pm till 1am.
I am now studying a bach of health science and am thinking that its going to be a huge challenge! but im up for it!
Bailey is in fulltime daycare and Astin is about to start part time and i can increase his hours if i need too (i get 50 free hours of childcare for each child bcos Astin is on child disablility so that certainly helps!) We are also going to try and squeeze in another baby and im getting another part time job!  
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Posted By: Highlander
Date Posted: 04 July 2008 at 1:07pm
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Hi there, I'm a newbie to this forum!
I have a 9 month old boy and I went back to work full-time when he was 6.5 months - we decided my husband would be the SAHD as I have the potential to earn more dosh than he could. I do find it really hard being away from my son all day, but I just get through it by making sure that the hours I see him during the day are quality time rather than making dinner, folding washing or anything else that's lying round needing attention!! Plus the weekends are just focused on spending time with my baby. I also take a lot more odd days off to make long weekends now! It has taken a lot of adjustment though (and still is!) and i'd be keen to hear about anyone else who's partner is a SAHD! |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 04 July 2008 at 1:26pm
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Hey Highlander. My DH, Busymum's DH and Lilfatty's DH are all SAHDs. Although my DH now works fulltime too he looks after Michaela for 6 hours every day from 6:45am (when I leave for work). -------------
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 04 July 2008 at 1:33pm
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DH is thinking of being a SAHD maybe next year, depends on how his job is going and how practical everything is.
So today was Chloe's first day of daycare. I don't start back at uni until Monday, officially... so I'm at home feeling very alone atm, and I'm quite sad! I can't stop thinking about how little I will get to see her and how many "firsts" and stuff that I will miss since she will be in daycare so much. 
Those of you that use daycare, did it take much adjusting to? I think Chloe will probably adjust more quickly than I will ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: MrsMojo
Date Posted: 04 July 2008 at 1:50pm
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I went through the same thing when I went back to work. Amazingly though Michaela saved heaps of her firsts for when I was at home. She was 5mo and had already started talking and commando crawling by the time I went to work but she didn't crawl properly until one day a couple of months later when I'd pulled a sickie to go Christmas shopping. She took her first steps when I was at home too.
Whether you're there to see the firsts or not though what you need to remember is she will only be in daycare for a while whereas you will be her mummy forever and she's in daycare for a good reason, you're studying to get a good job so your family can have a great life. In a sense you're making a huge sacrifice for the good of your family and that's an awesome thing to do. -------------
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LittleBug wrote:Posted By: Mum2L
Date Posted: 04 July 2008 at 7:48pm
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I hope I can join this thread, even though I am pregnant with my first child.
At the moment, I study full-time and work 20 hours a week. I also work some extra hours over the weekend at the moment for extra money. DH also studies full-time, but I am the breadwinner, so we have both decided that he will be a SAHD. I am due at the end of December/beginning of January, so will recover enough to go back to uni at the start of the first semester. DH will go back to full time study in the second semester, and we have accepted the fact that our child may have to go to the university creche 2 days a week. I study law, and I am finishing my BA this year. My study schedule next year will be full on, as I will be solely concentrating on my law degree. DH studies criminology, but still has a year and a bit left on his degree. I think we will be able to manage, as we are lucky enough to live so close to the law school and town. It is only a 20 minute walk from our house to uni, and a 30 minute walk to work from home, so will be great for breastfeeding. Some people have conveyed negative comments towards DH and I about this arrangement, but I think it will be fine. I have worked full time and studied full time before, so I think I know stress pretty well. Anyone else in the same situation of both parents studying full-time? Would love to hear how you coped. ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 8:33am
Thanks Mrs Mojo, that made me feel heaps better 
lady_asset, it will be a tough slog at times but I'm sure that if things go well, then you will be able to cope. Is there any way you could take a year off and then go back to your law degree? Going right back to full time study just a few months after birth might be a challenge, but you sound like you are up for it. Are you planning to BF? Oh and a little reminder... book your child in for the creche now, if he/she isn't already! I tried to book Chloe in to the uni creche about 5 months before we needed to go back and they were booked up until halfway through 2009. Apparently you need to book them in as soon as they are born. So u better get onto it if u haven't already! Good luck with the rest of the pregnancy, I had to stop studying but in the long run, what's a year longer to finish your degree, really. I just had to try and be more flexible than I used to be prepared for. All the best, it's a hard time trying to make these decisions and a hard time trying to go fulltime with the exhaustion of pregnancy and kids!! Although hopefully most of your 3rd trimester will be in the uni break?------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: Mum2L
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 8:38am
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LittleBug - I'm afraid taking a year off is not an option. I am in my sixth year of study as it is, and I can't stand the thought of staying at home for a year. I am the breadwinner, and need to finish my law degree asap, and I have better earning potential than DH. At least our child will have one parent staying at home.
Yes, I will be breastfeeding, so that is why I want our child be at the law school creche, so it is easy for me to pop in and bf him or her. I'll have to wait until the end of the year to book in, according to uni policy. Plus our child is due at the end of the year as well. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 9:26am
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Do they expect you to be able to get into the creche within a few months of enrolling or going on the waiting list? If not then you might be best to try find other creches close by and ask them as well, just as a backup. Ring them and find out if you should be able to get in straight away, they should be able to give you an idea.
I couldn't stand the thought of taking a year off either, I just had ONE semester left to finish my 5 year biomedicine degree and then doing postgrad study. I was going to go back when she was a month and a half old but by that stage I was still barely out of my pajamas during the day, LOL, let alone organising her and making it out of the house. It didn't help that I wasn't getting more than 2 hours of sleep at a time, and Chloe was having feeding issues anyway so it was taking us around an hour and a half to two hours to breastfeed her. Which would not have worked for me back at uni when she needed feeding every three hours anyway (that's only an hours break!). Sorry that's probably not what you want to hear but it might be different for you, you could be one of the lucky ones that manages to get heaps of sleep during the night and feeding could click really well for you both. If you are BF then a creche really close by would be ideal.
I'm so glad that for this semester of study, Chloe is bottlefed. I would NOT get time to pump at course, not even for half an hour (or have anywhere decent to do it) and Chloe's creche isn't close to uni. So that is one thing that is definitely a little easier for us.
All the best lady_aset, I hope it goes really well for you *fingers crossed* and that you get to finish your degree and find a good job quick-smart!! It's hard being a career driven woman and having a family huh  Hope that the rest of your pregnancy goes really well too, so that you can get your degree done!------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: DJ
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 12:58pm
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lady aset a friend of mine just got into the vic uni law creche without much problem. They are in a similar situation to you - he is finishing his law degree and she is going back to work in a few weeks to earn the $$$. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: Mum2L
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 1:25pm
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DJ - thanks for that :-) I think it is the creche at the Kelburn campus that books out fast, so hopefully I'll be able to get into the law school one without a problem. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 3:31pm
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Oh I see now, the law school has it's own creche! Awesome. I thought that it was just the uni one. But that's really handy. (Sorry I don't know a lot about Wellington)
So you have one more year (after this) to get your degree? What kind of law will you practice? ------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |
Posted By: Mum2L
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 3:50pm
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I still have two to three years left after this one, as I will also be doing honours next year for my BA (but this will be spread over two years)...
I am specialising in international and public law. My dream job would be working for MFAT as a Foreign Policy Officer, and then finally a career diplomat 
Yes, I know my study schedule is full on, but I strive on doing things all the time... I once managed to do 6 papers in a semester for a year, but I really had to twist the arm of the faculty to do so... Luckily I got really good grades!!!! If you are wondering why I have been studying for so long, well I have been doing a wide variety of majors and papers, before settling on a major. ------------- http://lilypie.com">
http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: LittleBug
Date Posted: 05 July 2008 at 4:00pm
That's cool, you will just have a really good base of knowledge, after doing all the different papers!!  Yeah I've done 6 papers in a semester before too, hard work, but do-able if you stay on top of things, time management is a must, huh.
Sounds like you are used to hard work, and step up to a challenge... you will be a great Mum
When are you likely to get a paying job from your degree then, if you are studying for another few years? It's a long haul huh Would it be at least 3 years or will you be able to study and get a job at the same time? (I mean a job related to your degree?) I'm just curious because I don't know a lot about law. What's your BA in?
ETA: You sound a little like me, I thrive under pressure... stressful but it's when you really shine  LOL------------- Chloe (4 years) and Oliver (3 years). |