TTC when I'm a full time MA student?

[tattyteddy]

Was just hoping for advice or if anyone has been in a similar position....

I'm in my first year of doing a full time MA social Work degree and I'm due to finish the first year this Octomber. I've got one DD aged 2 but I would love to try for and have another DC, but I'm now 36 and I feel time is running out. I was thinking that, if possible, I could TTC and have DC2 as I'm finishing/finished course which will be oct 2014.

My worries are that just because first pregnancy went fine doesn't mean I'm going to have a similar one again and I'll be on placement from may to oct 2014 so need to be all singing all dancing!

Has anyone been in a similar position, did it work out well or is it a daft plan? Xxx

[tattyteddy]

Thanks geta, might take you up on the offer of questions! X

[getagoldtoof]

Ha! Don't reckon I'd be up for it now - was hard work. Still it makes the actual job alone seem relitively easy... I'm in stat children's services. If you'd like any advice about jobs and the asye, let me know - I'm nearly at the end of my asye and it hasn't been all bad!

[cupoftchai]

oh my geta i can't believe you did all that.

[tattyteddy]

Thanks geta, that's very reassuring. My current, first year placement is with adults, and the second one will be with children, probably statutory but don't know where yet.

It's also reassuring that the your second placement offered you a job, I'm hoping that happens with me too! I think I would want to take some time off but I thought I might not get a job straight away anyway so I can stay home for a bit!

I'm really enjoying the course and I'm looking forward to being qualified, I love working with people!

Ps. I can't believe how may broody social work students ate out there!

[getagoldtoof]

Oh and if you're planning to have baby after your course ends you should be absolutely fine. I was pregnant and on placement (full time) and working a 35 hr a week job, too. Admittedly I did nearly die of exhaustion, but it was well worth it as I got maternity allowance. Oh and I'm no hardcore person, I'm a wimp and i can be lazy, I think we women can be very strong when we need to be.

Good luck!

[getagoldtoof]

I did the MA in social work (yes we are all broody, us sw'ers!). I ttc 1st yr, and got pregnant. Due date was the date I was due back for 2nd yr. Went to a couple of seminars with my newborn. Started my 2nd placement when my child was 4 weeks old, was there 4 days a week while baby was with DH. Got lots of support from family and university. Didn't miss a day, honestly -not one. I then did my dissertation and spent the rest of the summer at home with baby. I got a distinction, and then got a job where I was on my second placement and started this yr.

A couple of questions - if you take a yr out can you afford it?
Are you doing children or adults? Know where your placement will be?
My university said there were a few babies every year on the SW course. It's really not a big deal, but will be harder as you have an older child. If you have any questions for me, fire away - but it looks like theres lots of us who've done it!

[tattyteddy]

Yeah chai, I don't want there to be a huge age gap. But I think if I wasn't 36 now I wouldn't be in such a rush! I think if I don't start trying soon it might be too late! X

[cupoftchai]

I wish I'd started a thread like this 2 years ago when I was desperate to start ttc! Mind u tt I guess it is a but different when u have a little one already and r thinking of the age gap

[Bambi27]

No worries good luck!!!xx

[tattyteddy]

Hello Bambi, thanks for your posts. A lot to mull over for me I think before we start TTC! X

[Bambi27]

Yes graduated last year :) in Devon they take into account joint and said ds was husbands dependant due to income so no funds for us :( xx

[cupoftchai]

So, k, how is your course going? It is interesting to hear how the different unis have reacted. Mine were great when it came to coming back to do placement after dd was born. One thing that was v helpful was they let me start placement part time and build up to full time.

[cupoftchai]

I'm looking at children and families posts and yes, work life balance would be vastly better with part time. But I also wonder if employers will be reluctant to take on newly qual as part time. I guess I will find out over the next few weeks!

[cupoftchai]

Bambi that sounds really difficult. Well done on getting through it! R u graduated now then?
Selby, when r u due?
I'm in Scotland and I'm not sure whether the childcare bursary took any account of joint income or not. What is a bit weird is that we got it even though my husband is out of work and on jsa. We just use a couple of days a week and it gives him a bit of time to look for work etc.

[Bambi27]

Hi, sorry haven't read all the posts so not sure if I'm repeating anything but thought I'd give you my experience. We starting ttc just before the summer going into my last year of a 4 year teacher training course but it worked out much quicker than planned which meant I was already nearly 20 weeks by the beginning of my last year!! Anyway I managed to get all my written work done but had to do my placement the following year whilst dc was about 10 months old. It was a nightmare!! I did it but it was so difficult! We got no funding had to pay for full time nursery ourselves!! Wouldn't change it but still very difficult!!

[tattyteddy]

I'm in the North East. I think the bursary people dont actually state a an income threshold - as far as I remember it was very vague!

[SellbyDate]

Hi, I'm in the east Midlands tt. Chai, if i were you i'd definitely go job share if you have children under school age. There are also part time contracts available. The realities of practice are that you will be working late a lot and taking work home anyway. Are you looking to go in to CP?



Yeah, I'm really optimistic that I will be able to do it actually! The only thing that worries me is whether i'll be eligible for childcare bursary. Do you know what the income threshold is for that at all?

[tattyteddy]

Thanks Chai, I'm proper swotty now. I think when I've been at Uni before, I've put things off to the last minute but now I'm loads more organised and work when I should be! Xx

[cupoftchai]

I guess so. Especially with the post grad course. For me I just couldn't wait any longer! Am well impressed, tt,u doing the whole lot with a little one.

[tattyteddy]

I've just been thinking that too. Perhaps it because people sometimes go into social work when they are a little bit older??

[tattyteddy]

Sorry Chai, didn't see your post. I'm not thought too much about job at the moment. I think ideally I'd like to go part time, but I'll have to see what's out there when I start applying next year. X

[cupoftchai]

Also, is there something about social work and broodiness?!

[tattyteddy]

Hi K2402, that is definitely spooky, another person TTC whilst doing social work! You're right I think it would be nice to be pregnant whilst being on the course. Best of luck to you too and feel free to PM me anytime! Also whereabouts in the country are you and Sellby? Xx

[cupoftchai]

Hi all.
It's really funny to find others in the same / similar positions! I went back to do this final placement after my 'mat leave' when dd was almost 12months. Only a few weeks left to go now! We got bursary and help with childcare. I'm now applying for jobs and trying to work out whether to go job share or full time. What do u all think about that, or r u thinking of yet?

[k2402]

Hello all :).

I'm in the same position, I'm completing my Hons this year in (funnily enough) social work!! My placement is also a long one - start sept '13 - april/may '14. I'm currently TTC (kind of), off the pill and swallowing every vit going! I think it would be brilliant - having something positive to look forward to when placement has its tough times (wishful thinking?). So glad to see I'm not the only person on this boat! Would be good to touch with you guys, and really really wish you all the best on your final placement!

Kx