I'm currently an undergrad student with a fairly managable schedule (I'm out of the house between 35-45hrs per week). My husband is also a student with a similar schedule. Our two DDs (2.3 years and 9 months) stay at our house with our nanny and her son (14 months). DD1 likes being with the nanny so much more than she ever did daycare (we just hired the nanny a few months ago and think she is terrific). Overall, the childcare situation is terrific, though my 2 year old still gets upset when I tell her that I have to go to school that day (I go M-F, so its not like its a sporadic schedule). But both kids really do seem to enjoy their time with the nanny after they get over DH and I leaving.
Anyway, what I'm feeling anxious about is grad school. I'll start grad school in about 1.5 years, when the kids are 4 years old and 2.5 years old. I'm enrolling in a speech pathology program that has night classes (usually 3 nights/week) and clinical positions (time commitment varies by semester--maybe 2 afternoons a week, maybe 2-3 full days per week). I'll also be getting a full graduate assistantship (20hrs per week) because I need it to help pay the bills and tuition. In all, I'll probably have about four 12hr days per week and one 7ish hour day. Thats not factoring in time for studying (lets hope the kids are better sleepers by then!). Luckily, grad school will only last about 2 years.
I just feel like this is SO much time to be away from my kids.
DH will probably not have as crazy of a schedule but he will still be out of the house for 35+ hours per week, at least.
So if you've gotten through my long post: how do you maintain a strong bond with your toddlers and preschoolers and a healthy lifestyle when you're out of the house for 55-60 (even more maybe!) hours each week? How do you fit everything else in (laundry, grocery shopping, etc?)
Tell me how (and if) you've survived this.
Anyway, what I'm feeling anxious about is grad school. I'll start grad school in about 1.5 years, when the kids are 4 years old and 2.5 years old. I'm enrolling in a speech pathology program that has night classes (usually 3 nights/week) and clinical positions (time commitment varies by semester--maybe 2 afternoons a week, maybe 2-3 full days per week). I'll also be getting a full graduate assistantship (20hrs per week) because I need it to help pay the bills and tuition. In all, I'll probably have about four 12hr days per week and one 7ish hour day. Thats not factoring in time for studying (lets hope the kids are better sleepers by then!). Luckily, grad school will only last about 2 years.
I just feel like this is SO much time to be away from my kids.
DH will probably not have as crazy of a schedule but he will still be out of the house for 35+ hours per week, at least.So if you've gotten through my long post: how do you maintain a strong bond with your toddlers and preschoolers and a healthy lifestyle when you're out of the house for 55-60 (even more maybe!) hours each week? How do you fit everything else in (laundry, grocery shopping, etc?)
Tell me how (and if) you've survived this.
