Studying at home with 6 kids... am I asking for trouble???

[MumWithSix]

Hi all... this is my first ever post on mumsnet! I am a stay at home mum with 6 kids. My oldest is 17 and youngest is 3... I have just started a bookkeeping course with ICS from home. I am really enjoying using my brain again, but the house is really suffering with the hours I'm putting into studying! Am I mad to try and continue???

Get your kids involved in housework, may be older ones can help with little ones? It will teach them a lot of invaluable skills and you can do your course - win/win situation.

Go for it! I am starting my degree (not at home) on Monday and I have 4 DC. There will be plenty of study outside of lectures so I have given the 3 eldest specific jobs to do (and DH although he is already great at helping). I would say having been at college doing an access course for the last year, give yourself specific study hours, make sure DH and the DC who can, understand this is time when they must do without you unless there is bleeding or the house is on fire. Can you go to a library/cafe with wifi for an hour here and there?

Believe me you will not regret doing it, my brain came alive again this time last year when I began college. So much more confidence in myself. Good luck.

Hello and welcome. Do not give up what you are doing.

Get a rota for the kids to help with the house work. It will teach them to be independant and it will help you. The youngest can help too even if its something small.

To tell you the truth being a mum is one of the most challenging yet rewarding thing you can do, you are already doing that therefore anything else is possible.

All the best.

Wow! thank you for the positive responses! I think giving the older kids a specific job to do sounds like a good idea. DH is already amazing with helping and encouraging me to continue. I think it has something to do with being a stay at home mum for 17 years and finally finding something I want to do for myself, its hard to stop doing the normal mum routine.
I am still experimenting with the best times for studying, although during school hours when I only have 1 at home seems to be best.
It's an amazing feeling finally having my brain learning again!

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