Sharing wisdom about raising a child while in the medical professional program?

[alphawind]

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Hi,

I was wondering if some professional students could share wisdom about how they have adapted best to raising a child while attending a professional program. I will be going into pharmacy school, but I am open to creative ideas (and the reality) from students attending different healthcare professional programs. Obviously, I worry about how best to juggle my school work and care for my child. Fortunately, we have a close female family member who will be living with us to help us care for our baby. We are expecting a child. We worry about insurance coverage and income since my wife does not make much and I will work very part time while attending pharmacy school.

Thanks for your valuable inputs and experience.

Alphawind

 

[trustwomen]

I'm afraid I don't have any advice to give, I just wanted to say - wow. 😍

It's not often I am taken aback, but until you mentioned your wife, from the things you were saying I was certain you were a woman! I've never heard a man be so - with it - when it comes to the division of labour and concern about mixing work/family (the old adage being that men never worry about such things because they aren't the ones stuck with having to do it). Let alone be the one trying to solicit help and advice in these matters.

Your wife and future child are lucky as hell. And I hope the regular posters here can help you out in the advice department.

 

[E.A. Poe]

If your school does not require attendence in lecture and there is a way to find out what goes on in lecture do not go. My school has a coop system and puts audio tapes of lectures and pdf files online. I spend my days studying and that leaves my evenings free for my family. This is a good strategy because often they go fast enough in lecture that I'll miss a lot or daydream. It's better when I can pause the audio file and backtrack if I need.

 

[Do.the.DO]

Hi,

I was wondering if some professional students could share wisdom about how they have adapted best to raising a child while attending a professional program. I will be going into pharmacy school, but I am open to creative ideas (and the reality) from students attending different healthcare professional programs. Obviously, I worry about how best to juggle my school work and care for my child. Fortunately, we have a close female family member who will be living with us to help us care for our baby. We are expecting a child. We worry about insurance coverage and income since my wife does not make much and I will work very part time while attending pharmacy school.

Thanks for your valuable inputs and experience.

Alphawind

Does your wife work full time outside of the home? My husband is a DO student and when we relocated for his school, I became an at-home mom. (Which I'd never done before.) We didn't know anyone in our new area and I'd rather be dirt poor than have someone I don't know/trust watching my children.

It's tight financially, but we do just fine. We actually save a ton of money since I'm not driving nearly as much, don't need to purchase new professional clothing, and no longer do the daily macchiato stop. (Yes, I cry a little each time I pass a Coffe Bean & Tea Leaf.)

Another thing you could do is find another student who's wife is at home and see if she's open to doing childcare. Your financial aid package/loans should cover childcare expenses, if necessary. There are a lot of other student's wives at my husband's school who watch other people's children for a little extra income. It benefits both families. Usually you'll get a cheaper rate and it be in a decent family environment and they'll get a little extra income and have a playmate for their own child/ren.

Quite honestly, my husband is gone...a LOT. Most of the child raising duties fall on me, which is what we expected before he ever even applied to med school. But he's VERY appreciative and is great at telling me how lucky he is. (Did I mention he's one smart cookie!)

One thing that helps him reconnect with the kids is that we have a standing "date" on Friday evenings when we have a "pajama party" with our kids in the living room. I usually make finger foods for dinner, the kids pull their blankets/sleeping bags/pillows/stuffed animals out and we watch a movie, play boardgames, or take turns beating each other at "Sonic the Hedgehog" on the GameCube. It's certainly nothing glamorous, but the kids love it and it gives my husband a chance to get loved on by our three stooges.