Architecture school with a 6-month-old?

[Bedofroses]

Hi there,
I'm writing for some advice. I'm 29 and pregnant with my first baby. My husband and I are thrilled, after trying to conceive, experiencing a molar pregnancy and going through chemo when it wouldn't go away. We are finally out of the woods and have a confirmed baby on the way. )
I am a nurse, but it is NOT what I really want to be doing. I've spent the last few years trying to figure out what I really want to do and have finally settled on architecture. I couldn't be more excited to start. I'm planning to apply to MArch programs.
My husband is almost finished with a medical residency and presumably will have some more flexibility in his schedule soon. He is very supportive of my applying to school.
I know, however, how INTENSE architecture school is rumored to be and if I were accepted this year, I would start with a 6-month-old. Is this do-able? I'd LOVE to hear from architects or architecture students who could give me some perspective on this.
Thanks so much.

[thriftyqueen]

Will you be working as well as going to school? My DH was in architecture school when DS was a baby (birth-1 1/2 years old). He worked very part time during that time at a job that was very flexible. It was intense, but doable. If you can swing it, don't work and it will make things much easier. The workload is time consuming, but if you pace yourself, you can do it. He loves his job and I am so happy he stuck with it even when the going got tough.

[Bedofroses]

Thanks Thrifty Queen! You know, I would like to be able to work (even just a tiny bit), but it wouldn't be absolutely necessary. My hunch is I would have my hands full with school and a baby. But if we're going to be paying for childcare for some of those hours, it might be really helpful. It's encouraging to hear that your husband got through it. I haven't yet heard from a woman who was the student and the mom, though.

[texmati]

Originally Posted by Bedofroses

Thanks Thrifty Queen! You know, I would like to be able to work (even just a tiny bit), but it wouldn't be absolutely necessary. My hunch is I would have my hands full with school and a baby. But if we're going to be paying for childcare for some of those hours, it might be really helpful. It's encouraging to hear that your husband got through it. I haven't yet heard from a woman who was the student and the mom, though.

I know there are a lot of student mama's here, but I"m not sure about architecture specifically. Congrats on the career change and the babe!

[thriftyqueen]

Originally Posted by Bedofroses

Thanks Thrifty Queen! You know, I would like to be able to work (even just a tiny bit), but it wouldn't be absolutely necessary. My hunch is I would have my hands full with school and a baby. But if we're going to be paying for childcare for some of those hours, it might be really helpful. It's encouraging to hear that your husband got through it. I haven't yet heard from a woman who was the student and the mom, though.

There was a lady in my DH's class who had a baby while in school. The baby was born during the last year of the program. I know she had the baby and within days was back at school because she couldn't afford to miss classes and studio time. I think you will be able to make it through just fine. It is time consuming, but not that much more than most degrees. Just a lot of studio/design time. Lots of deadlines for projects, etc. You will be just fine if you have childcare and a supportive spouse. Go for your dreams!

[Lillitu]

I'm not in architecture school, but I am in a master's program. My son is now 8 months old. I started when I was pregnant.

As long as you have a good arrangement that has caregivers you know and trust, you'll be fine. My partner is great with my son and we trade off.

Best of luck to you!

[Super~Single~Mama]

I had a baby just before starting my 4th semester of law school. If I can do law school as a single mama, you can do architecture school. It's HARD, but I wouldn't change it for the world.

[meemee]

i'll come from a different perspective.

really figure out your priority.

and then see which one is important to you.

i took a break when i was pregnant and didnt return till dd was 6 years old and in school.

and it was the best decision i made. i wasnt a stay at home mom.

i will say i find it really HARD even now to be a student mama as opposed to a working mama. at least with work you leave it and come home. but with school work there is soooo much to do beyond just attending class.

so i would think about it carefully. and then decide what you want to do.

it is really really HARD to tear yourself away from your baby. the first 3 years i wanted to be a SAHM. my dd wanted me to be a SAHM. but circumstances would not allow me so i was a part time working mom.

i do not regret my decision one bit. the only thing i would change if i got to do it again was choose to be a SAHM till dd was 3.

also looking back i realise i was at a much different place when i was in school before and during pregnancy. now i am at a whole different place. i would have had to return to school again even if i had gone when i was pregnant because i was so SAHWM focused.