[twinsmom]

Hi everyone,
I am thinking of studying masters in early childhood in Melbourne or Perth and have two young kids whom I would love to bring along. I would like to know how difficult is it to juggle between uni and kids school for a young parent. Are there any childcare services or after school care service at the uni to drop the kids when they have no school.

Anyone here studying with young kids without family support, how does it work? Please share your thoughts experiences or knowledge to help me. Or do you know of anyone who has done this?

Thanks in advance!

[roses99]

Would you consider distance education?

So many Masters courses are available online or via distance, which would make things a lot easier for you. In fact, some courses aren't even offered face-to-face anymore.

ETA: I work at a regional uni which has a fabulous long daycare centre across the road (connected to the uni) as well as occasional care facility (where you can drop your kids for a couple of hours to attend lectures and only pay for the hours you use. However, my understanding is that on-campus childcare is generally extremely hard to get and the waiting lists are long.

Which is another argument for distance ed

This post has been edited by roses99: 25/02/2013, 11:41 PM

[Fire_fly]

I can't help you with the childcare at the university situation. I am however studying a graduate diploma of psychological sciences without any family support. My Husband is FIFO so I can not rely on him for regular help and my family all live in other cities.

It is possible if you want it bad enough. It does take a lot of organisation and discipline as well as many late nights getting things done after the children go to bed.

My daughter is in childcare 2 days a week and during that time I attend classes, study groups, grocery shop and clean the house. My social life goes out the window for the 12 weeks I am attending classes.

All that being said. I think it's a great thing for children to see a good work ethic and discipline. I hope I have answered some of your questions and not just waffled on.

[roses99]

Can I add one more thing? And this is coming from the perspective of someone who works in a Faculty of Education.

Unless you are really keen to study on-campus, I would choose a course rather than a university. Find a course that interests you and that will set you up for what you want to do with it down the track.

Also, keep in mind that Masters in Education courses are in a state of change in Australia as they move from one year courses (we still have those) to two year courses. Some faculties offer 18 month courses. Considering you're studying with kids, you might want to keep the course duration in mind when choosing.

[trishalishous]

Im looking at studying my masters in second semester, hopefully part time with 2 days on campus. Ive tried distance, and I just didnt get time with the kids at home

[aratiaw]

Online with daycare near home saves travel time and timetable clashes. You can study on whichever daycare days you can get. I don't think it would be doable without daycare/babysitting unless your kids go to bed early and sleep extraordinarily well.

[twinsmom]

Would you consider distance education?

So many Masters courses are available online or via distance, which would make things a lot easier for you. In fact, some courses aren't even offered face-to-face anymore.

ETA: I work at a regional uni which has a fabulous long daycare centre across the road (connected to the uni) as well as occasional care facility (where you can drop your kids for a couple of hours to attend lectures and only pay for the hours you use. However, my understanding is that on-campus childcare is generally extremely hard to get and the waiting lists are long.

Which is another argument for distance ed

Thank you roses for your reply. My kids are 6 yrs old and I believe they will be in school, my worry is what if the lectures happen to be outside their school hours. I will be an international student and my H will not be joining me. Any idea how many times a week will lectures generally be?

Thank you for your time!

[twinsmom]

The only way I can juggle parenting and study is by studying via distance. Most unis have childcare on campus, but it can be very hard to get a spot and being a student doesn't guarantee you a spot at some centres.

My partner is extremely supportive, he saves up his annual leave and uses it up while I'm on prac so that our son still has a parent around for him. We have no-one else to lean on really.

I personally could not juggle lectures/tutes around my son's school hours as he has ASD and a lot of after school therapies to attend, it would just be impossible to only take classes that didn't clash. I'm sure others do mange it though.

It is a constant struggle to maintain balance between too much and too little time spent studying or parenting, but it is certainly doable.

Good luck with your decision and your studies.

Thank your Ferdinand for your reply. I totally agree on the time spent on parenting and studying, I have 6 year old twin boys and it surely will be challenging thats why I am still hesitating to enroll. BTW amazing that you are studying with your son, does your live with you or far. Thank you

[butterflydreamin...]

I'm studying a bachelor degree part time, this semester I am doing two units on campus as I really need some me time out of the house and the chance to talk to other adults but I am also doing two units distance. I'm doing it with a three year old and a 12 week old and yes I think I was insane for thinking i could study in the early days of a new baby but was convinced i could do it as I did it with my first... I kind of forgot that it would be harder to find the time with two.

I think to study with children you have to be super organised and accept the fact that study is your 'me' time because you won't have time to do much else depending on the age and number of children you have. If you can get lectures recorded to listen too on an mp3 player i suggest you listen to them when ever you can, in the car, while doing housework or in my case while pacing the house with a screaming baby in my arms. Listening to them over and over again helps more of it stick in my mind.

[Wolffmumma]

I'm studying online (not the same field) because moving wasn't an option for me. You could probably access after school care depending on what times lectures ran.
I would email the universities you are interested in studying with I'm sure they can give you an idea of what schedule the classes have run on for the last couple of years, it's probably not a guarantee that it how they will be but it should give you an idea.