babies and going to school

Singin4Him82 · 07-31-2005, 08:39 PM

Has anyone done this and how did you make it work, especially during pregnancy?

Gracie Love · 07-31-2005, 09:28 PM

I did it after my divorce. Matthew was 2 when I started college. It wasn't easy with a 2 year old. During the spring semester of my sophmore year I found out I was pregnant with Ethan. I had to drop my cermanics 2 class because of the chemicals that I would be around were not safe for a pregnant woman. I ended up on bed rest for 2 months and because of that Lost the whole semester, but untill I was put on bedrest, I did no worse than I did before. IT does take a lot of extra concentration and a little more time studying. But it can be done. You will have to really work at NOT let yourself get too stressed out. That is part of what caused me to start spotting and cramping (threatening to lose the baby) that put me on bedrest. But your concentration and memory will be suffering a little bit, your thoughts will be on the baby quite a bit and it effects more than you realize. Just watch your stress level is all I can say. I know you can do it.

Just to let you know that what happen with me wasn't just school stress. I was pregnant from a rape, working 3 part time jobs, taking care of my son, and had just started dating John. That is what my life was like that was causing my stress level to shoot through the roof. I know a lot of people let themselves stress out just over school so much that there stress level was higher than mine so just watch your stress and the doctors will tell you the same thing.

Are you thinking you might be pregnant? Or is it just for future reference? If you are pregnant and need someone to rant too about school to ease your stress you can pm me. I hope what I have said helps.

KFBobInsanesMom · 07-31-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singin4Him82

Has anyone done this and how did you make it work, especially during pregnancy?

I had mine after I was out of college, but I think my churches youth minister was in seminary while she was pregnant . She is a member of CGR but hasn't posted in a long time but I am sure if you can find noone else to speak to about this that she would be glad to talk to you. (if I'm correct that is, but I am pretty sure she was).

Singin4Him82 · 08-01-2005, 11:08 AM

Thank you for the advice. No I am not pregnant but my husband and I would love to have a baby we're just really trying to make a wise decision on timing of the things going on in life. Does anyone else have any advice?

**Role Modlin** · 08-01-2005, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Singin4Him82

Thank you for the advice. No I am not pregnant but my husband and I would love to have a baby we're just really trying to make a wise decision on timing of the things going on in life. Does anyone else have any advice?

Well, I'm going back to school right now and I have three kids, the youngest is only five weeks old. I can't say that I have any advice other than to pray.

KFBobInsanesMom · 08-05-2005, 04:09 PM

Just a few considerations

1. child care-- can you afford it if you both will be gone or do you have a family member or friend nearby who could help out

2. timing-- babies come when they are ready, not on our schedule. You would want to talk to professors early on to make arrangements if you end up in labor during finals for example. Most professors are helpful but I had a few who didn't care what the reason.

3. housing-- are you in housing that allows chldren, if you have your own home its not an issue, but it can be otherwise.

4. can you lighten up your schedule a bit to have the extra time needed to not only study but take care of a baby.

5. plans after you finish school. Would you stay home or go to work? If work you will need long term child care, which can be a challenge to find. I would check out what is available in your area if you plan to stay there after you graduate.

6. Just the basic extra expenses that a baby brings. Co-pays and deductibles from hospital and doctor bills, diapers, etc. This isn't a reason not to go ahead, but just a reason to plan ahead.

Singin4Him82 · 08-10-2005, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KFBobInsanesMom

Just a few considerations

1. child care-- can you afford it if you both will be gone or do you have a family member or friend nearby who could help out

I don't believe in putting my children in daycare. I have a village of family and friends that are more than happy and extremely excited to help out there. My husband and I will not be needing a lot of child care, especially when we have a baby baby I will make sure to be home for sure!

Quote:

2. timing-- babies come when they are ready, not on our schedule. You would want to talk to professors early on to make arrangements if you end up in labor during finals for example. Most professors are helpful but I had a few who didn't care what the reason.

That is not a problem. I do not plan to take classes towards the end of my pregnancy and if I do they will be online only.

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3. housing-- are you in housing that allows chldren, if you have your own home its not an issue, but it can be otherwise.

Yep we own a brand new home and our housing addition that is mostly families.

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4. can you lighten up your schedule a bit to have the extra time needed to not only study but take care of a baby.

Most certianly and I fully plan on doing so. Having children is a bigger priority than when I graduate, I do not have a deadline for my graduation at all.

Quote:

5. plans after you finish school. Would you stay home or go to work? If work you will need long term child care, which can be a challenge to find. I would check out what is available in your area if you plan to stay there after you graduate.

My mother has already planned on being my child care when and if I need it. I fully plan on working, I'm not getting my psych degree for nothing

. However, I will not work full-time most likely.

Quote:

6. Just the basic extra expenses that a baby brings. Co-pays and deductibles from hospital and doctor bills, diapers, etc. This isn't a reason not to go ahead, but just a reason to plan ahead.

Yep but thankfully we also have the Lord, amen?

Thank you for giving me these things to consider, it has been very helpful to think through!

smitty2622 · 08-10-2005, 10:47 PM

Going to school while caring for children is tough don’t kid yourself a new born will require major attention at all hours of the night possibly for several years, or at least a couple years. I try to do all or most of my school work at school that seems to help a lot the kids just don’t understand daddy needs quite for an hour or so. I tried a couple online courses this summer I had to do most of the work at night after the kids were asleep I tried to take a test while the kids watched a movie but they always need something. Please don’t be discouraged by this message you can do it, it just wont be easy good luck and God bless…

Peace

Gracie Love · 08-10-2005, 11:58 PM

Here here, I am a full time stay at home mom and I have a little bit of trouble at times. Ethan(a month shy of 3) is going through a phase where he doesn't sleep all the way through the night. Not to mention Matthew(7) who has terrible growth pains in his legs. The nightmare phase is also a difficult one for sleep. But it is do able.