Having a Family While Being a Student

My husband is a father, student, employee, and active in his duties at our church.  He is a busy man.  And it's going to stay this way for another 4 years until he's done with Physical Therapy school and can work full time.  But even then he'll still be a father (most likely to more children), husband, employee, and active in church.  That's life!

I recently had the question asked to give advice to those who are parents and are also going to school.  As I have observed my husband in this role, I thought I would share a little about how he handles it.

1. My husband is typically easy going, but he is also a Tanner which often comes with easily being stressed.  So every once in a while he'll become a little stressed about things.  But who doesn't right?  I try to be the level headed one and help him work through decisions and stress.  So my first tip of advice is to find someone who can be a confidant - a listener, someone to talk to about stressful times, someone who has your best interests in mind.  Hopefully this is your spouse, but if not it can be a best friend, parent, employee, etc. 

2. When there's lots of homework to do, it can be hard to spend your moments at home with the kids.  My husband is great at helping with the little things that have to do with our baby.  Usually during the week I have him sing our daughter a song before he puts her to bed or sometimes he'll be the one to give her a bath.  Each of those things only take minutes, but it's important he has those minutes with her.  So spend a few minutes with your kids each day so they know you're involved in their lives. 

3. Simplify your life as much as you can.  That can be so hard with all the things you have to do.  I know they add up fast!  We try to turn off the TV when my husband is doing homework, we spend time together on the weekends, we try to always have dinner together as a family, since I'm not in school I do more of the chores during the week, etc.  We can't do everything and we can't be perfect at everything.  So my husband just does his best and has to accept when things aren't always perfect.  And that's ok!  It's important to keep things in perspective and to make sure your priorities are in order.  Do what's most important for you and your family. 

Being a parent while in school can be really hard!  Maybe you need to send your kids to daycare, maybe you feel stressed all the time, and maybe your income isn't as big as it needs to be right now.  But if you work hard and remember to spend time with your family, things will work out!  Have faith and you'll come out strong!  Don't worry, you'll get it!

- Alexis