Anyone here have small kids?

[mrs.b]

The great thing about young kids is that they tend to go to bed early. I only have one, and he is nine (not all that little any more ), but he is special needs and cannot be left unattended. I think a good deal of the posters here have children, jobs, and all the draws on our time that go with it. It is not easy, but you are not alone, and it has been done and is being done by a good many already. Just keep that in mind during the inevitable hair-pulling "what did I get myself into?!" moments that will come up!

Do what you can when the kids are awake, which is to say, you will get very little done. Once they are tucked in for the night, though, that is your time to hit the books. Studying for CLEP or other exams is a bit easier to manage than actual courses; without time-consuming assignments to drag on your time, you can print out study guides or skim a few pages of books when the kids are playing nicely (that ten minutes once every two weeks will add up...right?). Test when you are ready, without wasting time or effort on papers. OR, read your textbook to them when it is bedtime to put them to sleep quickly! If only it worked like that...

There will be difficult spots. Just expect them, set your priorities now while you do not have deadlines and due dates looming over your head to cloud your judgement, and hold yourself accountable to them. If you say family first, plan your time so books do not come out for anything more than light study / skimming when the little ones are awake. And lean on the rest of your family. My husband is not a chef, but he has become a VERY good cook this year since he has made nearly every meal while I earned 62 credits (soon to be 68) to complete two Associates and one Bachelors, worked 40-60 hours and went on more business trips than I prefer. He did that so I could have kiddo-and-unwinding time ™ so I'll be ready to hit the books and not drained once our son is put to bed for the night.

Best of luck! You'll get through it fine, with an entire semester of Gen Eds out of the way.