Response to studying with children - Real Mum story on MoM

Hi there,

I am studying a bachelor of primary teaching. This is my second degree, but first one by distance ed. I am about half way through but currently studying part time and working as well. I absolutely know what you mean… Sometimes I don’t look at my books for weeks, and then I am a ball of stress trying to catch up. The best thing that I have done is actually accepted the best way for me to study. I do produce my best work under pressure and in the middle of the night, so that is when I study. It is just important to have your support network on board, if this is an option for you. I also accept the fact that if l actually get uni work done during the day when the kids are around then it us a bonus, but not a necessity. The kids are number one, and if you stress it really affects them. I have one of my children (my eldest) in care one day a week, and that day is worth it’s weight in gold. It gives me the opportunity to catch up either on uni work, or sleep so I can get back into it with fresh motivation in the evenings.

Another thing I do is do my ‘planning and organisation’ work during the day… All the things you don’t have to put too much brain power into… A list of ‘to-do’s for the evening, a skeleton plan for an essay or assignment… Etc etc. then at night I am not wasting all the quiet time on the mundane tasks that don’t need my 100% concentration… I can just hook in and make the most of the valuable time!

I hope all of this helps. It is definitely tough going, but it will be worth it in the end. Just try not to miss out your babies too much… They will be big before we know it!