How do you keep yourselves going?

[cupcake78]

I am studying at the moment and planning to go on and do my Masters in Sept.

I don't work but do voluntary work one evening a week. Ds doesn't go to nursery, I go to college on a night, once a week but do get alot of homework. I try and study during nap time and once ds has gone to bed.

I'm totally exhausted all the time! I am finding it impossible, my head is a total muddle. I sleep quite well, I take ds out at least once a day for exercise, if the weather is nice we are out all day. DH is generally really good and helps as much as he can. I cook all meals, tidy up do most of housework etc but then I don't work.

How do you all do it? I'm beginning to wonder if I will ever manage Uni in Sept. Coffee is becoming an essential survival tool.

Please don't give up! I have finally got my OU degree after six years, and although it was really hard I am so pleased I have done it. Started first year two weeks before DS1 was born (he's now 7 - I did have one year off!). DS2 is 5, I used to study whenever they had their naps and in the evening too. If you really are short of time could you give up your volunteering, even if only for a short while to cut yourself some slack?

Good luck xx

I'm in uni full time, with ds (5) and dd (3).

I do most of my work in the evenings and on the weekends, but I also have childcare three days a week which really helps.

Child care would be a luxury we just can't afford at the moment. I think alot of it is just being so tired all the time. Its nearly the end of the course i'm doing so things are hectic after what has been an already hard year.

I have to the voluntary work as part of my MA. I knew when I took it on it would be hard work but had no idea the amount of energy it would take out of me.

Hopefully things will get better. DH been working late this week and ds has been missing him so he's been playing up abit. Hoping for a rest or at least to get some of this blinkin work finished. It just seems to multiply.

tierdness is the worst thing to get you down/ Wish I could magic up more hours in a day sometime and then the study would get done. I'm in the final stages of my doctorate which has taken almost 9 years. My DD is 6 so has had me studying all her life. I used to grab the chance to study doing her naps and resisted doing housework then. She understands now that housework is done with her there and hopefully helping so that its done quicker and she can then play with Mummy. In a way I feel that this has been a brill idea.
I was able to grab some part time childcare by asking a child minder if I could have the blocks when her regular children were on holiday. I would then save up for this and intensively study for the few days I got. This worked really well and it was a good complement to the grabbed/tierd times when I was able to do the more mundane stuff that required less concentration. I only really was able to start my thesis once she started school, sorry if thats not much help.
One really good spin off of me studying is that DD is really focused on her work at school and is on the G+T register- boasting mum momemt I guess.

Good luck and don't stop believing in yourself!!

I know where you are coming from!
I am working full time in a pre-school in a nursery, I go to college 1 evening a week and have lots of homework too.
I also have a house and a family to look after, although at 12 and 19 they are old enough to help out and to survive on their own when they need to. DH is very supportive too, he will cook at the weekends so I can get some studying done.
Housework has fallen by the wayside to some extent, I just do the bare minimum to keep us all ticking over.
Remember that nothing is forever, things change, your Ds will grow older and will be able to go to pre-school which will give you more time.
Good luck and stay focused and enjoy the summer break!