Post by Jalapeñomel on Jun 27, 2013 10:10:26 GMT -5
Is this even stupid to consider within the first couple of years? I´m seriously contemplating getting my Master´s (maybe Ph.D) in the next couple of years since I know we will be in NYC for at least 5 years. But I don´t know if this is even possible with a child so young.
nursecramer are you still around these parts? How is it working out for you?
Well, in may case the first 6 months were a write off. I couldn't have accomplished anything if I tried. Things have mellowed a bit in the last couple of months though and I could imagine it would be possible.
I am actually planning on it. When we have kids (3+ years from now), I plan to get masters online to become a registered dietician. I'll stay at home with the babes and do school online so when I'm ready to work again, I'll be ready for the career change.
Now you have me nervous that this plan is completely unreasonable.
I am doing it with two kids and a full time job. I went back when Leo was 3 months old to work and graduate school. I was tired but I managed.
As long as you have childcare it would be no issue, IMO. I wouldn't suggest jumping in during the first 3 months, but after that I think it is all fair game.
There were several moms in my law school class. One with a two year old who was also pregnant most of our first year and gave birth three hours after our last final that spring. She some how managed to come back and get it down with a baby the next fall. It's definitely doable.
Also if you are intertwined in the university/scholarly system again you will meet TONS of people who do this. The support system helps a lot. I know people who do it in really rigorous programs.
I've thought about it too when the kids are in preschool. I'm still very undecided, it will depend a lot on how long we think I'll continue to SAH and money of course. And I feel kinda old for school (37 now) but that's my own hang up.
I've thought about it too when the kids are in preschool. I'm still very undecided, it will depend a lot on how long we think I'll continue to SAH and money of course. And I feel kinda old for school (37 now) but that's my own hang up.
I just graduated with my masters and the average age of the students in my program was 36. No worries! I had a classmate that was in her 70's.
I had two kids during the course of my PhD and it went great. I wil graduate in the fall. It did slow me down, but I was able to tke two years off for maternity leave that were not counted in my number of school semesters. I don't know how it works down there, but I would look to see if the school you are considering allows parental leaves. It is easier to take a break when they are tiny and go back after.
ETA: I just realized you would start once the baby is already there, and you wouldn't be pregnant during. Totally doable!
I know a lot of people who have done it. I think it depends a lot on the field you want to go into and how demanding the program is.
I would go for chemistry.
this might make it slightly harder, but graduate course load is much smaller than undergrad, and you will have more "downtime" because you will be in less classes. i assume this would be lab intensive which could be a scheduling annoyance, but not all of your classes will likely be labs, and if you have access to university childcare it would be easier. you can do it.
Post by Jalapeñomel on Jun 27, 2013 10:53:44 GMT -5
DH is very supportive, and actually he wants me to do it now, because he is afraid I will regret it and never end up going. However, it´s a lot easier to say that now when we don´t actually have the baby around yet, KWIM?
DH is very supportive, and actually he wants me to do it now, because he is afraid I will regret it and never end up going. However, it´s a lot easier to say that now when we don´t actually have the baby around yet, KWIM?
In many ways doing it during the baby years is better. Just plow through and know life will be easier in many different areas in a couple years.
Plus you are more homebound because of naps and what not. So much easier to be working on projects versus when they are older and you would rather be out doing other fun stuff.
Post by rupertpenny on Jun 27, 2013 11:01:39 GMT -5
I think if you have funding and there is some kind of access to child care it is a good idea. I am taking an insane class load right now trying to finish my degree before my baby is born, but that is more tied to funding issues than it is to the difficulty of doing school and a baby at the same time. My funding runs out in August so I am trying to maximize it while I can.
My coworker did it. She'd be in class and in the lab from 9-5 like a regular job, go home and have dinner, put the baby to bed and come back to the lab from 8-10 or 11.
DH is very supportive, and actually he wants me to do it now, because he is afraid I will regret it and never end up going. However, it´s a lot easier to say that now when we don´t actually have the baby around yet, KWIM?
In many ways doing it during the baby years is better. Just plow through and know life will be easier in many different areas in a couple years.
Plus you are more homebound because of naps and what not. So much easier to be working on projects versus when they are older and you would rather be out doing other fun stuff.
Are you working too? If not, you could do it. If so.. well, I couldn't. Probs to booby.
I agree with this.
DS is 14 months now, and would I have the time to take a couple of masters courses? Yes probably. But working full time, I only get a couple hours of time with DS each day. That time keeps me sane. If I had studying and homework to do during that time, I think it would be too hard because I would miss him too much.
If I was able to SAH, and study around naps and DH being around, yes, I could do it.
A TON depends on your dh's schedule, I think. With the way our lives are at this point, I can't imagine it. (dh's hours are ridiculous and I'm very rarely kidless, any hour of the day.) Then again, while I claim to be SAHM, I do a lot of random work for our businesses, too, so maybe that's the time that would be school work.
I would count on NOT doing any during your first 3-4 months of baby life if possible. I think it was month 3 before I felt like I could even arrange to join a baby group. Then again, she was born during our peak work times and then the whole pump and boob feed process I had to do if I wanted to BF took an inordinate amount of time and balance.
So. If you can apply, get things set up, and then possibly have some flexibility for your decision, that would be ideal. when do you guys move in relation to your due date?
What are the lab time commitments for chem masters/phd? Would Rocky have some answers on that? (and many other scientists on here)
A TON depends on your dh's schedule, I think. With the way our lives are at this point, I can't imagine it. (dh's hours are ridiculous and I'm very rarely kidless, any hour of the day.) Then again, while I claim to be SAHM, I do a lot of random work for our businesses, too, so maybe that's the time that would be school work.
I would count on NOT doing any during your first 3-4 months of baby life if possible. I think it was month 3 before I felt like I could even arrange to join a baby group. Then again, she was born during our peak work times and then the whole pump and boob feed process I had to do if I wanted to BF took an inordinate amount of time and balance.
So. If you can apply, get things set up, and then possibly have some flexibility for your decision, that would be ideal. when do you guys move in relation to your due date?
What are the lab time commitments for chem masters/phd? Would Rocky have some answers on that? (and many other scientists on here)
I am leaving here on July 19th (hopefully), but I´m not due until November 28th. I would apply for fall 2014 at the earliest, but probably not until spring 2015.
DH is a professor, so he has quite a bit of flexibility in his schedule, but this could change from semester to semester.
Would you put the baby in day care and take classes during the day? If so, I think it would be fairly easy, and refreshing, to do graduate study. But if you're taking night classes, and hoping to get course work during done your baby's sleep times, it could get tricky. My older daughter slept really well, and I was able to write an entire novel during her first year. My younger daughter had colic, didn't nap well or sleep well at night. I got nothing done. Of course, I had two by then, but it would be hard to imagine fitting course work into my routine with the hardcore exhaustion I felt all year. Not to mention learning/retaining anything.
Are you working too? If not, you could do it. If so.. well, I couldn't. Probs to booby.
I would get a small stipend, and I would probably have to TA, but otherwise, no, I would not plan on working while in school.
Yeaaah, no. That's not true. You'd spend your time in a lab. That's your work. Getting that dissertation.
TA is just to supplement your stipend if it's not the same as everyone else (within a school). Everyone needs to earn the same in a department.
But you'll be working alright.
That being said, there were some students in my grad program that had kids. They were always called "the most effective" scientists, they were in at 8, out by 5 and would get shit done. All of us would relax a bit and well, that's where the whole we're in lab 13 hours a day comes in.
Would you put the baby in day care and take classes during the day? If so, I think it would be fairly easy, and refreshing, to do graduate study. But if you're taking night classes, and hoping to get course work during done your baby's sleep times, it could get tricky. My older daughter slept really well, and I was able to write an entire novel during her first year. My younger daughter had colic, didn't nap well or sleep well at night. I got nothing done. Of course, I had two by then, but it would be hard to imagine fitting course work into my routine with the hardcore exhaustion I felt all year. Not to mention learning/retaining anything.
Well, I don´t know. It would just depend on the program, and when they offer classes & labs.
I would get a small stipend, and I would probably have to TA, but otherwise, no, I would not plan on working while in school.
Yeaaah, no. That's not true. You'd spend your time in a lab. That's your work. Getting that dissertation.
TA is just to supplement your stipend if it's not the same as everyone else (within a school). Everyone needs to earn the same in a department.
But you'll be working alright.
That being said, there were some students in my grad program that had kids. They were always called "the most effective" scientists, they were in at 8, out by 5 and would get shit done. All of us would relax a bit and well, that's where the whole we're in lab 13 hours a day comes in.
I´d just assume I was a TA, because the chem grad students I knew got their stipends through being a TA in addition to their research. But this was only one school.