How much spare time do you have?

[summerdreamin]

Hi guys. I wanted to know if it's possible to study for a career change at the same time as having a baby?

Do you get any time to yourself or are you with the baby every waking minute?

I have a supportive husband who works during the day. we've not had the baby yet so I don't know what is realistic or not.

None. My baby is 11 months. Unless essential then trying to do 2 major things sucks the joy out of having a baby.

Do your career change then have a family, to plan to do otherwise is daft. Sometimes it can’t be helped but it’s not best for anyone.

Agreed None. My boy is 6 months old, get about 1/1.5 hours in the evening when he goes to bed but generally I just want to sleep early ready for the night feeds or just veg in front of the TV for an hour after being on the go all day. I've got a little cat napper so I suppose it depends if your little one naps well during the day but it changes all the time and there isn't a set structure to the day just yet timing wise xx

Plenty of people do, so it's not impossible, whether it leaves you with much of a quality of life is another matter. What would you be considering studying? It also depends on your baby, DS reliably napped and slept through so I'd have a few hours a day, but some of that was housework and relaxing (DH used to work away so a bit different). Realistically DH would have to pitch in a lot if you wanted some guaranteed time set aside for studying, or to help more with housework etc so when baby is sleeping you can crack on; but he is the father and an equal parent so it shouldn't all fall to you anyway. The intensity of the course will make a difference, I wish id done something for myself and more productive during mat leave to be honest.

My DS is 5 months old and like a Pp I get about an hour a day to myself in the evening where I crash in front of some rubbish tv as I'm too tired to think/do anything else...

In the first 6 months very little free time but now he is older I do get some time away from him. He naps for about 3 hours during the day but I use that time to for house work, washing and cooking, showering and eating myself. I may sit for about 15 minutes of that time. In the evening I have some time to relax but I am pretty tired so go to bed at 10 as he gets up around 5.30.

It depends on the baby.
My baby has slept 6 til 6.30 since he was 5 months old, so I have every evening free from him. Last night I did 2 hours of work in blissful silence from 6-8 and still had a bit of an evening left after that.
I'm thinking of doing an online course starting September.

I'd say pick one and do it really well.

Same. None really. When I do get some time I have to shower and eat! I have. 2 year old and a 9 week old. I literally get like 10 mins free at a time if they're both sleeping at the same time which rarely happens. When my DP gets home in the evening i make supper, eat, bath and bedtime routine. Then my 2 yo goes down, but my newborn is still awake. When she falls asleep, I go to bed as sleep is so precious!!! I'd wait until tour baby is school age or until you put them into nursery

I'd say the free time you do get you might not want spend studying. In the first 6 months free time was a bath, watching telly or meeting a friend without a baby strapped to me. Studying would have simply been impossible - no head space.

My baby is now a year old and has been a fantastic sleeper for months (I have my evenings 'free'). I'm due to start a PhD in the autumn, but I would not have considered it until now.

My DD is nearly 8 months and while I have time while she sleeps to myself (evenings from approx. 7-8 onwards and 2-3 hours in the day) I’m not sure I’d have the energy or brain power to study after a full day of looking after her!

I really think it will depend on your baby and your routine. I have 2 kids so literally have zero time to myself until they are both in bed at 7.30. However DC2 is currently 17 months old and she has an afternoon nap from 12-2 ish so if I only had her I would have that time. If you have a settled baby that sleeps well then I suspect you will have quite a lot of time, an unsettled non sleeping baby will be the opposite!

None.

I have one child with SEN (I am their carer) and a toddler. They are a full time job.