How do you juggle it all?

**lilybell** · 26-09-2011, 05:44 PM

Hi there,

I am a mum of three with a wonderfully supportive husband. At 33 I'm looking to enter into the exciting realms of medicine! But before taking the big plunge I wanted to know what can I expect the impact to be on family life?

Cheers

**kaodeve** · 07-10-2011, 11:26 PM

Hi

I'm just 4 weeks into the course and I have one child, 2 years and 8 months and a husband who works offshore (2 on and 3 off). I need to get work done during the day as have no chance during evening time or the weekends due to my demanding toddler. In all honesty, I wouldn't want to work then as need to have some family time. My son goes to the uni nursery so I can be there in 5 mins if need be. I live 30 miles from uni and the 6am up and commute is a pain so thinking of moving nearer next year.

At the moment, I'm coping but tired as have gaps in my timetable during the day to get the work done in the library. I know the workload is going to increase after 10 weeks as will be aving 2x pbl sessions instead of the current one but hopefully, I'll be better at using my time by then instead of having coffee and chat. Oh, I've also to try and fit in writing up my thesis for my MRes but so far had no time!

Best of luck! pm me if you want anymore info.
E.x

**dotvicky** · 09-10-2011, 06:03 PM

Heya,

I'm 35 with a 4 and a 2-year-old. I would say the biggest impact on family life for us has been the loss of my earnings. The hours aren't dissimilar to a full-time job although when you get ill, you can't just take the time off... or rather, you can but it's a bugger to catch up on afterwards. Also, when your kids are ill, you will also need to take time out which is difficult.

My husband is more affected than my kids are because I have to study some evenings after they are in bed but he's been amazing. He's also used to me going 120 miles an hour and I'd been doing A levels in the evenings for a year or more before I started the course so the evening study wasn't completely new.

Are you in paid work at the moment or a stay-at-home mum? If you're the latter, it'll be the change of mental pace and lack of 'backup' that'll hit you the most I imagine, if you're in paid work, it'll probably be the money.

PM if you want to chat any more and I've also done a blog of a week in my first year. (Will get organised and do a week in my second year soon.)

Cheers
Vicky

**cjayne** · 18-10-2011, 06:57 PM

Hi,
I am a final year med student, 32 year old single mom to an 8 year old.
It is hard work, but it is amazing, especially this close to the end! Sick days are a problem, especially for the child and childcare can be an issue in clinical years as, depending on your firm, you are expected to do all sorts of hours. I have found the issue of trying to get to a ward round at 07h30 or 08h00 when the school breakfast club only opens at 8am quite challenging. Sometimes travelling long distances to placements and then to the opposite end of the city to fetch my daughter from school and make it in time is quite challenging too. The money is fine, if you budget properly, which never actually works according to plan, but the university and the medical schools are so helpful.

You will be working in the evenings when the children are in bed and you won't have much of a social life, but that hasn't bothered me too much as I love spending time off with my little one. I made a pact with my daughter that on a Saturday I would not pick up a book and that we would always spend that day together! It worked and we both look forward to it each week!

You pick up some tips though, like making meals in bulk and freezing them in portions so that you never actually have to cook during the week

I recently gave in and got an au pair, and I wished I had thought of getting one earlier on! Not only did it save on the cost of childcare (which was starting to cost around £160 per week during the holidays and £100 in the week) because you only pay them a bit of pocket money, but she helps me by taking my daughter to school and picking her up, spending time with her and making sure things like homework are done. She also helps me with bits of housework (which started to lack the busier I got!!)

I know it sounds daunting, but it is so worth it, and if you want to do it, there is lots of help out there!!

Best of luck to all of you!!

**rennstimpy** · 18-10-2011, 07:18 PM

Hi Vicky - you're on the 5 or 6 year course I take it? How is it? Are tyou finding the course good? I'd like to ask you a few q's about the course if thats oK? Ta

**dotvicky** · 03-11-2011, 12:59 AM

Heya,

Apologies for not seeing this sooner - you're welcome to PM me and we can chat via e-mail. I'm on the 5-year but my good friend on the course did the 6 year.

Cheers
Vicky