Calling all parents

[RFHawks]

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I was wondering if there are any stay-at-home parents waiting to start med school. I am currently a stay-at-home dad awaiting med school this fall. My girlfriend is working on building her real estate clientele with her dad's company before I am in the books all day. While I love my kid, she drives me nuts and the only thing getting me through each day is thinking about med school. While I was cleaning poop out of the bathtub this morning all I could think about was, "I can't wait for Aug. I can't wait for Aug. I can't wait for Aug."

Anyone else out there?

 

[RFHawks]

Wow... I thought that there would be at least one more person in my shoes here. Daycare I imagine 'cause I know there are others here with kids.

 

[vc7777]

I was unemployed for several months during the process of applying. I hear what you are saying. Personally, it is what I imagine being pregnant is like - you are nearing the end of a long and drawn-out process. Impatient as all-get-out. Daydreaming, perhaps idealizing what med school will be like.

I'm on the flip side, and you won't like what I have to say: enjoy the time. Squeeze every last second out of your daughter before you disappear into the abyss. Don't pre-study, get some sleep. Scoop the poop. Scoop the poop with a smile.

 

[RFHawks]

Yeah. I kinda figured this will be the reality once I start. It's like going from one extreme to the next. Not unlike my life actually. I am not pre-studying but I wish I could get some sleep. I actually got more sleep when I was a full time student completing my BA due to the fact that my girlfriend got up with the kid so I could pay attention to morning classes. This will happen again when I start school, until then

 

[LingoLaine]

Yup, that's me. I've got my kids in day care part time but am not employed. Eager to start med school but put all my eggs in one basket this cycle and it didn't work out. Guess I just bought myself another year at home.

 

[FrkyBgStok]

you sound like a father that has been home for a short amount of time, because you get used to it. the kids drive you crazy less each day.

 

[Torr]

I was wondering if there are any stay-at-home parents waiting to start med school. I am currently a stay-at-home dad awaiting med school this fall. My girlfriend is working on building her real estate clientele with her dad's company before I am in the books all day. While I love my kid, she drives me nuts and the only thing getting me through each day is thinking about med school. While I was cleaning poop out of the bathtub this morning all I could think about was, "I can't wait for Aug. I can't wait for Aug. I can't wait for Aug."

Anyone else out there?

Lol. I don't have any kids yet so the bath tub situation was pretty hilarious to me. Especially cause I've already formed an image of RFHawks as this heavy metal rocker dude!

Just wanted to shout out all the parents! 😍

Enjoy the time with the kid(s) before MS1 begins!

 

[The right Path]

Well, I'm stay at home during the week and work only Sat and Sun- does that count? I've got the poo cleaning thing going on, fer sher. It's contained and in the right place (the little potty chair)- but still- every day, often twice a day. I would like her to go on the big potty but I'm afraid she'll fall in and hurt herself. She's a tiny pixie. That and the pee gets on the seat and sometimes dribbles down the outside of the bowl and makes a lil puddle on the floor. I'll just stick with the little potty seat I guess.

And actually my bigger source of frustration is that somehow that evil little baby can find a Sharpie just about anywhere and tags anything that doesn't move.

 

[RFHawks]

you sound like a father that has been home for a short amount of time, because you get used to it. the kids drive you crazy less each day.

No. I was a SAHD for 3 months this past summer. And have been again since late Dec. I just do better when I don't have to be with my kid everyday. I've never been a kid person anyways, that and my daughter barfs at the drop of a hat. Cough? => barf. Cry? => barf. Choke? => barf. I'm sick of cleaning up barf everyday and getting barfed on. You're right in that you get used to most things, but this I have never got used to. I hate it like poison. 😡

Oh, and Torr... you have the image right. Long hair, tattoos, piercings. I even had a giant red mohawk with a bright red beard before I went pre-med. I looked like an evil FogHorn LegHorn.

EDIT: I would just like to point out that my kid only drives me nuts when she is freaking out over whatever and is inconsolable, which then => vomiting, especially in the middle of the night. Other than that I have adjusted to the everyday craziness of a 2-year old. But when she screams about wanting a baba and we give it to her and then she throws it only to scream she want it again and we give it to her and then she throws it only to scream she wants it again... you get the point.

 

[RFHawks]

Well, I'm stay at home during the week and work only Sat and Sun- does that count? I've got the poo cleaning thing going on, fer sher. It's contained and in the right place (the little potty chair)- but still- every day, often twice a day. I would like her to go on the big potty but I'm afraid she'll fall in and hurt herself. She's a tiny pixie. That and the pee gets on the seat and sometimes dribbles down the outside of the bowl and makes a lil puddle on the floor. I'll just stick with the little potty seat I guess.

And actually my bigger source of frustration is that somehow that evil little baby can find a Sharpie just about anywhere and tags anything that doesn't move.

HaHaHa! I know this so well. We have little drawings on phones, walls, books, the couch, everything. For the underlined statement, just wait until she finds someones cat or dog. 😱 👎

 

[ejw5075]

No. I was a SAHD for 3 months this past summer. And have been again since late Dec. I just do better when I don't have to be with my kid everyday. I've never been a kid person anyways, that and my daughter barfs at the drop of a hat. Cough? => barf. Cry? => barf. Choke? => barf. I'm sick of cleaning up barf everyday and getting barfed on. You're right in that you get used to most things, but this I have never got used to. I hate it like poison. 😡

Oh, and Torr... you have the image right. Long hair, tattoos, piercings. I even had a giant red mohawk with a bright red beard before I went pre-med. I looked like an evil FogHorn LegHorn.

EDIT: I would just like to point out that my kid only drives me nuts when she is freaking out over whatever and is inconsolable, which then => vomiting, especially in the middle of the night. Other than that I have adjusted to the everyday craziness of a 2-year old. But when she screams about wanting a baba and we give it to her and then she throws it only to scream she want it again and we give it to her and then she throws it only to scream she wants it again... you get the point.

She'll grow out of it. My daughter had the same problem around that age, she was in and out of DRs offices, even getting ultrasounds, etc. She literally threw up EVERY time we got into the car or screamed/coughed, and they didn't agree that it was motion sickness. It lasted ~9 months or so, and I learned to keep spare clothes and a bucket in the car. It hasn't happend in a while, and I hope I didn't just jinx myself.

 

[RFHawks]

Oh man. Yeah we went through the same thing with docs. They told us she was just an extra phlegmy kid and a puker. She has been like this since day one. I sincerely hope she grows out of it, otherwise she will be a 4 year old covered in puke and will have to wait until mom and dad get up to change the sheets. 😎

 

[ruraldocmom]

I started staying home with my kids in December-- 2 boys, 1.5 and 3.5 years old. As I'm sure you know--there are good days and bad days! I'm just grateful for this time to be fully present with them before Med School sucks me away in August.

We spend a lot of time outside digging in the dirt & finding bugs. I'm so much happier out of the house. My husband also gives me a day/half-day by myself--chilling in a cafe for a few hours helps me get out of my head and re-center myself. Right now I'm taking an art class a couple nights a week to use that other part of my brain that will probably die off during med school 🙂.

My biggest problem is sibling relations--haven't quite figured out how to get them to get along with any consistency. I vaguely remember the potty training days... maybe I've blocked them out. 🙂 My husband was a stay at home dad for 3 years (now he is the working one). He found it incredibly isolating in a world of Mom's playgroups. But, he kept trying until he found a group with cool people (and other dads) to talk to. It is awesome that you are doing it--I think any time a parent has the ability & desire to choose to stay home with their child--that just rocks. I feel like there are things only I can teach my kids, and things that they teach me about myself & about life. Okay, off soapbox. Good luck to you & enjoy that time before its gone!

 

[Eisen]

RFHawks-

DUDE! Your daughter is sooooo lucky to have this time with you!
Don't let her see you stressed out! (she will stress, and stress you more)
Our children's cries actually affect us more than they do anyone else, because as their parent, our brains are wired to respond! Try not to let the effects mess with you while you are stuck in da haus.

My 3 Golden pieces of Stay-at-Home advice:

*Play, walk, maybe bike (you can put a baby seat- they are 40-50lb capacity on back of an adult bike + 2 helmets= yay freedom!), go to the park, play ball, water the plants---- just make sure to do something OUTSIDE everyday for at least 20-30min, before you get to lunch & "naptime."

This is a key element!- going outside for fresh air breaks up the day, helps establish your routine, and most importantly helps immensely to relax the 2 year old child and set the tone for a good day. And hopefully get outside again a bit in the afternoon too, even if you just walk 2 blocks (a longer walk for her than to you), to pick a flower, or to get the mail with her. (Don't forget the SPF & H20)

* No (or extremely limited) TV helps enormously too--- maybe just a little Sesame or something in the AM if you must... become aware of any "background noise TV" going on in your house which can be very overstimulating for a 2 even if they aren't actively watching it, leading to annoying (attention-seeking) behavior. Try to watch your TV at night or when she is elsewhere, as daytime TV is likely to be brain melting.

* Read lots of books with her instead... make stuff with play-dough, make your own play-dough, make art, let her "help" you cook and do simple chores. "It will take you twice as long to get the job done but it is true quality time."(Mother's Almanac)😍

Hope this helps. Kid-sick clean up is the worst.
I'm sure you already looked into allergies like dairy/wheat.... hope she grows out of -- mine did!!!

Eisen
Who apparenly has a lot to say about this subject

 

[canjosh]

I predict you'll be wishing you could've remained a stay-at-home dad come September. Love what vc7777 says about scooping the poop with a smile. Yeah, do that.

 

[pinkzebra]

i know what you mean! i stayed home with my daughter for 8 months when she was first born. i am so thankful to have had that time (she is 6 now), but it is definitely a lot of work and very lonely at times. two is also a tough age!

i promise you that it gets easier 🙂 although im sure it gets harder again when puberty hits - we aren't there yet thankfully!

congratulations on med school, too! it seems like you and your gf have worked everything out with your schedules and will be able to balance caring for your daughter, etc.

btw, what about if you hired a sitter for one afternoon/week? just to have some "you" time? that always makes a big difference! if you dont have any family or close friends in the area, check out sittercity.com. i have found some great sitters through them.

 

[RFHawks]

RFHawks-

DUDE! Your daughter is sooooo lucky to have this time with you!
Don't let her see you stressed out! (she will stress, and stress you more)
Our children's cries actually affect us more than they do anyone else, because as their parent, our brains are wired to respond! Try not to let the effects mess with you while you are stuck in da haus.

My 3 Golden pieces of Stay-at-Home advice:

*Play, walk, maybe bike (you can put a baby seat- they are 40-50lb capacity on back of an adult bike + 2 helmets= yay freedom!), go to the park, play ball, water the plants---- just make sure to do something OUTSIDE everyday for at least 20-30min, before you get to lunch & "naptime."

This is a key element!- going outside for fresh air breaks up the day, helps establish your routine, and most importantly helps immensely to relax the 2 year old child and set the tone for a good day. And hopefully get outside again a bit in the afternoon too, even if you just walk 2 blocks (a longer walk for her than to you), to pick a flower, or to get the mail with her. (Don't forget the SPF & H20)

* No (or extremely limited) TV helps enormously too--- maybe just a little Sesame or something in the AM if you must... become aware of any "background noise TV" going on in your house which can be very overstimulating for a 2 even if they aren't actively watching it, leading to annoying (attention-seeking) behavior. Try to watch your TV at night or when she is elsewhere, as daytime TV is likely to be brain melting.

* Read lots of books with her instead... make stuff with play-dough, make your own play-dough, make art, let her "help" you cook and do simple chores. "It will take you twice as long to get the job done but it is true quality time."(Mother's Almanac)😍

Hope this helps. Kid-sick clean up is the worst.
I'm sure you already looked into allergies like dairy/wheat.... hope she grows out of -- mine did!!!

Eisen
Who apparenly has a lot to say about this subject

Yes this is super important. I did this all last summer. But I live in MN and the winters are brutal. No outside time when it's 0 degress. The snow is starting to melt and it's starting to warm up so I'm very excited.

 

[pinkzebra]

any indoor playgrounds near you? colder climates tend to have more of a selection of these. there are several near us, they are a lifesaver in the winter!

 

[ejw5075]

Yes this is super important. I did this all last summer. But I live in MN and the winters are brutal. No outside time when it's 0 degress. The snow is starting to melt and it's starting to warm up so I'm very excited.

How far are you from MoA???? OMG the theme park there is amazing for kids! We took my daugter this august (3yrs) and stayed all day. We are going back this summer 🙂

 

[jsh52]

I'm a mom to a 6 month old little boy. I'll be applying this year for entrance in fall 2012. I was at home with him for 3 months on mat leave and I did go a little stir crazy. Now that I'm back at school finishing my PhD, I miss him like crazy. So I can't win! lol He was pretty colick-y for the first two months of his life and then he suddenly became a SUPER easy, laid back baby. I'm pretty lucky. My husband works 70-80 hours a week (no, he's not a doctor, he's a freaking college professor) so he's almost no help with him. I'm lucky to have lots of family nearby who watch him while I am school.

 

[divajai]

I def understand where everybody is coming from. I went to school during my whole pregnancy and right after to finish my bachelors. Now Im out of school with my kid; starting med skool in the fall. Im stay at home but my kids 5 so she is in skool; but still drives me up the wall. I just think about starting med skool in the fall; but then I wonder if Im going to be so overwhelmed an then be unhappy. I stayed at home with my child for months when she was a baby; drives you bonkers lol. Just remember that you'll be out of the house in skool soon but you'll still miss your kid then.