or even mad to contemplate a part time MA with first baby due in November?

[Ruralninja]

Has anyone done this? The commitment would be about 1 day a week, with some workshop-style stuff at odd times (it is in singing performance). My DH is brill but I'm not sure whether it would be fair to ask him to give up a whole day for childcare, so potentially I would be looking for paid childcare whilst the baby was very little. I intend to BF. Also the university is happy to be very flexible and allow me to a defer a term right at the beginning, i.e. Dec/Jan. Maybe I'm deluded? I'm very excited deluded though! Your wise wise words please!

No wise words but go for it!

I'm going back to uni full time soon and DD is 5mo. A girl in my class before I left for ML had to leave her 2wo baby in order to complete her degree. She coped and is now able to provide a much better life for her DC.

1 day a week will be easy IMO and I'm sure your DP would enjoy spending time with his baby.

Thanks Famzilla, I wouldn't contemplate it if DH wasn't supportive...it's just I can hear my mother's voice in my head - she lives in fear of not having enough energy to do things and has somehow given me this anxiety, despite the fact I am still working 14 hour days at 26 weeks.... sigh.... I also don't want to be stupid about it, as this is a much longed for baby!

How old will your baby be when you go back? My mum managed to work full time while completing a degree part-time as a single parent. She worked up until 38 weeks and got back into work and study when I was 6 weeks old (from necessity rather than choice, in her case, which may have put a different slant on her drive to keep up with everything).

It will also depend on your baby's personality. I was a good sleeper from the outset so mum could manage this level of activity. My DS is the most shitty, awful sleeper on the face of this earth and maintaining full time work is nearly killing me. Again, necessity is driving me but there is no way I could have done what she did without collapsing from exhaustion. DS was also an out-and-out bottle refuser despite every conceivable trick attempted every day for months, so I wouldn't have been able to leave him for a full day until he was taking in enough solids.

You may also find that you don't want to take up the MA once your baby arrives as your priorities and desires will change. Do you have to enrol before he/she is born, or is it something that can wait until after his/her arrival?

Why not wait until next year?

Why not wait until next year? I loved doing a part-time MA. Combining it with kids and a job was challenging but manageable as my kids were older. Could you wait so that you can really enjoy your time with your new baby and then enjoy studying the following year?

Also - paid childcare like nursery or childminder generally isn't available until a baby is at least three or four months, so you'd probably be looking at a nanny. Depending on what your DH does, it would probably be cheaper for him to give up one day of work!

Wouldn't be fair on DH to have a full day of childcare? Isn't it his child too?
Just wondering.
And in response to your original post, I think it will be too much for you.
DH did a masters, pre children and even though he had lectures two evenings a week, it seriously took up a lot of self directed learning.
And having a baby that you are breastfeeding, that baby will be permanently attached to you for the first few weeks. After that it gets a little easier but you should put your child first. Something you wouldn't be able to juggle with doing a course.
When my first baby was born, I practically abandoned her, left her in the care of her dad because my dad was seriously ill and subsequently died. I cared for my dad in his final days and my baby was sidelined bless her. And I also BF which in itself was difficult to begin with.
All the best though in what you decide xxx

Is this first baby? Xxx

If DH can manage his work to include the day off then great! BF might not be as easy to work around though you never know until you start!

I wanted to start p/t teaching when DD was 6 weeks and people warned it might be too much and obviously I didn't know what life would be like with a newborn.

She was 2 weeks overdue as well so was only 4 weeks when I'd planned to start. I waited until she was 3 months.

I did it...but by long distance learning.

It's my second MA and I actually found it significantly easier than the first, BECAUSE of the baby. There was no time to faff around. So I'd get to the library, or have a precious hour in the evening. Instead of staring into space or procrastinating, this time because time was so limited I just has to get on with it. I was therefore much more efficient.

It is very possible (but don't expect to tidy your house too) as babies do sleep for ages- particularly newborns.

You'll need some time off when the baby comes just to feed/sleep/repeat. I'd recommend a minimum of 3 months. Newborns are hard work, especially your first! But otherwise go for it. I did my MA p/t around a full-time job and freelance work and a busy social life, so it must be possible!

Your DH will be fine, but be prepared to express/formula rather than breast feeding.

It is easier for a baby to get milk from a bottle as its faster flow.

I did an ILEX course while on maternity and i am very disorganised. If i can do it so can you

It will be fine. I took under 2 weeks off for my degree with my first and got a 2.1

so many responses, thank you! I think my concern does focus round the first three months and the daycare element. Dh works high pressure hospital management job and would love to stay at look after LO but not always feasible with pressures, especially in winter (beds etc). I guess its a bit if a trade off between emotions and practicalities, plus what temperament the baby has! more thought needed I think. it is only one day a week to manage though...