Anyone with young children and a partner who studies?

[Prusik]

Just looking for a little perspective.

DH will start studying on a 5.5 year course in sept. We're very excited and it will be life changing for both of us when he qualifies (no more tax credits!!).

I'm trying to work things out from my end, though.

DH will be working 40 hours a week (including every third Saturday). Then his course will be alternate weekends - said and Sunday 9-5 plus an hour travel each way. He also has to do one or two evenings a week at the college. Plus any additional independent study.

We have two young boys. They will be 9 months and 1y9m in September.

I also go back to work in September and work evenings so I'll have the boys in the day and work evenings.

I guess I just don't know how we'll survive. I'm mostly worried about having three Saturdays a month to myself and two bored toddlers.

Anyone in a similar position? Any survival tips?

Hopeful bump

Hiya, that sounds tough. I wanted you to know that you are not alone. My husband has just been promoted at work so is working 7-7 weekdays and he's about to start studying for the next three years in the evening. Like you he has weekends away and a residential for a week. We have a 10 month old and I am pregnant with my second. I hope it goes well for you guys. You just need to try and make it work- do you have any family near by?

Hi, thanks for your reply. No, no family unfortunately. They're all a couple of hours away. I might aim to go to mums once a month for one of the weekends but they only have the one room for us. It's not very well set up for cosleeping as the only place the bed can go is next to the radiator and ds1 is beginning to outgrow the travel cot

Just wondering if anyone has any tips or tales of optimism

Hey

To be honest it sounds like it's going to be hard work but if it is going to be for 5.5 years then it will be your normal soon!

Sounds like you won't see your DH very often if you are working evenings and him day times so I would try to make sure you get quality time together. Also when you have time off as all of you then you will probably need some 'you' time?

I am on my own a lot with two - DH works shifts as doctor. Mine are currently 3y and 11m. I work four days a week and one of my working days DH is off with them. I am also doing the MBA.

I find it hard work to be honest. My smallest doesn't sleep very well either. Weekends on your own are a pain cuz most people are doing family time so I just try to carry on without DH and do normal family stuff. I'm hoping in the summer this will be easier and my smallest will get easier.

Sorry I don't have any magic answers but it sounds like it will be worth it in the long run! X