Hi everyone ,
I'm studying diploma in child studies i study from home but I'm really struggling so study whilst looking after a 19 month old and a 4 month old. When they go to sleep at midday all I want to do is chill out have some lunch I only get 2 hrs to do house work washing cleaning. The 1st he flies buy and then my 4 month old gets unsettled after an hr of sleep so I'm constantly going in there to put his dummy in so I can never get into he right mind set to concentrate. My husband is a school teacher so he is home all the time
But when he is home I just miss him and want to be with him because I'm so tired I go to bed early so anyway I wanted to know any suggestions as to how to get myself movitated. Also because I study from home I don't get the outside help from other students. Is there anyone out there in the same situation if so how do you do it!!! I would love to know.
Thanks

I am studying from home - although I only have child! I started studying when DD was five months old.

I used to find that her nap times are the best times to get the housework done, and then I try to get as much study as I can done in the evening. That plan sort of went out the window about six months ago (she would have been about 18 months old) because she slept so much less during the day that I didn't get much done, and the housework dragged on into the evening, so I had virtually no time to study.

I have ended up having to pay for a whole day at daycare on one of the days when I don't work so that I can get some study done. That said, I'm a single parent. Since you have a partner I would recommend that you rope him in! Can he babysit for a good chunk of time at the weekend so you can study? Can he take on more of the housework so that you have more time in the evenings for study?

I agree that studying from home is hard - it's really easy to lag behind and to become overwhelmed with it if you're not in contact with anyone else. It does require some effort to stay on top of it all!

im also studying from home im doing a B.Arts/B.science @USQ via distance (over half done now yay!!)
i have a nearly 3yr old, an 18month old and bub #3 due in 3 weeks. needless to say i finished up my study last term until july next year when #3 will be nearly 8months then ill start part time again.

my suggestions (based on what seemed to work ok for me) are.
-drop to part time if you arnt already doing that, it gives you much greater flexability and manageable workload
-dont be afraid to apply for extentions
-i did most of my study on a sunday when DH is home all day, i also got my inlaws to watch the kids for half a day a few days before i had an assignment/exam due so i could concentrate on just that.
-dont leave things until the last minute, id start assignments as soon as i got them (never did this when i was actually at uni lol)
-i did the housework in the mornings when the kids are best behaved then spent some 'Me' time when they napped, and a little study at night.
-me and DH made sure to spend time together every weekend.

its all about balance and it is hard..id love to say theres an easy way but i dont think there is, but its worth it smile if your finding it just too hard theres no reason you can stop for a semester or drop to half a workload for a while..id rather take alot longer to get my degree and still be able to put in the work to get the grades im capable of, rather then cram too much in and not do as well just to finish sooner. good luck X

Hi there,

I study as well and find it is going okay. I am doing part time, are you also doing part time?

Some ideas that work for me
* I have set times when I will study and set times when I will not even think about study.
* I do housework such as the dishes and packing away toys and clothes etc as it all needs dong throughout the day, and have 1 day a week when I catch up on washing, vacuuming or whatever else needs to be done (again it is a set day so I can switch off on the other days). Also I will involve the kids every chance I can so that I do not have both housework and study interfering in my relationship and time with them. My partner does his share of the housework and childcare when he is here, and I think this is really important for any mum, studying or not.
* Ask for an extension early if you think you will need it, so that if you get something done on time great but if not you will not have to stress
* Nap in the day if you can and go to bed quite early

I do not study at all in the daytime, unless it is a weekend and my partner is here. If I am exhausted I go to bed really early, then I am okay to study for the next 2 nights.

With kids, I think the key is to make study and kids completely separate. And to switch off sometimes too. That is what works for me smile

I used similar strategies to gypsy kylz. I finished mine last year with my 7 year old, my 12 month old and preg with #3. Definately need to use your hubby. Plan for study time when he gets home, even if its' just an hour to do some reading while he takes the kids to the park or out in the yard.
I also planned for a Daddy day out the sunday before assignments were due.

The only other thing I can suggest is getting up early (like 4:30/5am) and doing an hour or two then before you start the day. I found I was fresher and could actually think then and was far more productive. I'd be tired and have a nap when the kids had their sleep during the day. Eat lunch with the kids so you get ALL their sleep time as a down time for you.

I found trying to study when the kids were asleep too stressful, as you start to get cross with them for stirring and are contstantly interrupted in your chain of thought.

Also, dinner - casseroles or crockpots that don't need much cleaning up, so once dinner is done and kids are in bed, hubby can clean up while you study.
For me timetabling in study time during the week and making it clear to hubby that that's when you need time worked. THat way he knows too, (and you do) that you'll get time together some nights and the balance is there.
My hubby is studying now, so we still work on that kind of system, and we support each other. Very hard to do by yourself. Hats off to you Mum's who do. Good on you for improving your and your kids futures. Hubby recently started a higher paying job that he wouldn't have got if he hadn't half finished his course. Keep the end goal in sight. Good luck.

Was so excited when I got accepted for double major last year, then found out I was pregnant, decided to carry on studying - yes, don;t have as much time as I used to for housework and studies but worked out that if I read my lecture notes aloud, it keeps bubs amused and I can study. Also rope in partner, older kids to help out with housework or do albeit each day helps. Record all lectures, so listen to it as I walk, bubs gets her outing, I get my walk and revision!