Threeboysmom

I am married with three children ages 10, 7 and 5 and we homeschool. I am only able to attend part time which means 2 classes/6 hours a semester. I am going to attempt 9 hours this fall because I am eager to get this portion of my education done so I can start my Ph.D. My program is designed for working adults so all classes are in the evening. I am generally in class from 4-10 p.m. whenever my classes are scheduled. So far I have been lucky that my classes have been scheduled on the same day so one at 4 the next at 7 on a Tuesday for example. This will not be the case forever but that's how it worked out my first year. I try to get up before my children and devote an hour or so to studying daily. I study after they go to bed when the house is quiet at least I try. However most days when the children go to bed I am drained. One day a week I don't study at all its a free day and then on the weekends I have to leave the house to get any studying done for 6 hours or so Sat and Sun. The studying has been easy maintaining a home cooking, cleaning, etc. has been almost impossible. We are managing but its been difficult.

I have to prepare for first year comp exam as well. Its nerve wrecking. Focusing on my current classes and knowing I have this other exam I have to pass that I have not prepared for. Best of luck to you!

Just checking on everyone. My family and I just got back from Disney World and now I have a stress fracture. However I am hanging in there with my studies. Swimming in books.

Thanks for correcting me, I kept looking at it I knew it wasn't right but kept typing and forgot to come back to it.

Congratulations! It seems like babies always show up when you are going on to another level. As far as starting school goes, that will be a difficult decision. Many newborns sleep a good 16 or so hours a day which means you will have more study time when the baby is less mobile. That is if your baby is a good sleeper and one can never be sure until the baby is here. On the other hand if you wait until the baby is older (defer a year) you will now have a mobile little one who (gets into everything) and baby could have an unpredictable sleeping pattern. Its hard to say. Personally I like studying and getting major things school related done around child's sleeping schedule so I would say start while the baby is young. But if your program starts and your baby will be only two months old you will still be adjusting to baby's sleep/wake cycle and starting a rigorous program may be a bit much especially post pardom. I'm not sure if you mentioned if this was your first baby or not. I originally started to seriously applying to graduate programs five years ago while I was pregnant with my third child. Eventually, I decided that it would be best if I waited because my other children were still young and trying to work out a sitter and feeding was too much for me to figure out. (Neither of my boys would take a bottle, so that meant I needed to be around so that I could feed them.) Well it worked out that five years later I am now in graduate school my children are older so the dynamic is a bit different. Of course I don't mean that you need to wait that long. I was just wondering if you could gauge from previous babies how long it took you to get back into the swing of things after delivery etc. If you do decide that you are going to go for it you will need a good support system, a sitter, a moby wrap and a feeding schedule with bottles if you plan to bottle feed. Don't be so hard on yourself and don't be alarmed if you find yourself crying a lot more than normal. The hormonal imbalance post baby takes a while to level off. I don't think I'm helping much so I'm going to end this post. I can only offer that you can do it. It won't be a cake walk but it can be done. Best of luck whatever you decide.

Did a lot better on my second assessment exam. Whew that first exam frightened me a bit.

Way to go!

That should say moby wrap sorry. They are fantastic. I was able to get things done and baby was happy.

Currently in grad school with three kids ages 10,7,& 5. It's not a cake walk but do able. I imagine you will need to study around the nap schedule of the baby. Consider baby wearing. Look into a mobile wrap. They are wonderful. You will need a sitter if your husband isn't watching the child. Start looking now reliable childcare is half the battle. Plan out everything for your semester ahead of time and work the plan. Congrats and enjoy your new little one.

I like this idea of printing your weekly schedule out and keeping it in your binder. I have front load everything in my syllabus into todoist.com and write down in my planner. That worked well last semester. This semester although I am keeping up with the material it feels as If I am not as ahead as I would like. (difficult to explain) Perhaps keeping a weekly goal list somewhere I can see it other that my phone would be helpful.

This semester feels different for me as well though I can't quite describe it. If your grades aren't suffering then I wouldn't sweat the change. Some semesters are easier than others. My second year will be a lot different than this year I am applying for GAT positions which will mean I will teach six hours and i will be seeing clients so I'm not rushing into the deep end. No I will get there soon enough.

Good news, I was invited to join Phi Kappa Phi today. Bad news I made a C on my first exam this semester. ouch....

Feeling anxious about this semester. I really want to keep my 4.0. Why oh why did I select assessments online this semester. The good news once the class is behind me I can look forward to other classes

My hubby was somewhat hands on. He helped me talk through my decision if I was ready to go back to school with three children etc. As far as picking the schools. I picked the universities that offered my degree within a certain mile radius from my home. Relocating for me to attend graduate school is not an option for us at this time. He's be very supportive and encouraging throughout the process.