Part time study during maternity leave?

Gigglepig

I am pregnant with my first, and currently work full time. It is early days and I have not yet told my employer yet. I may have the opportunity to enroll on a distance study, part time course. I do not have family around to baby sit, but at least it is a 100% distance learning course with no uni attendance.

It would be great to hear if anyone has experience with studying part time while on maternity leave. Is this unrealistic? Would the workload need to be reduced even further, compared to a normal part time course?

Is it a problem to continue part time studies funded by the employer, whilst on maternity leave and in receipt of SMP?

mummyofboys

Hi

I completed a full time access course whilst on maternity leave, my son was 4 months old and the course was 9-4 wed, thurs and fridays.

I also had a child of 4 at the time, it was the hardest year of my life, as I also undertook driving lessons ( passed lol ) and got married.
The course was very intense but I decided I wanted to go back and hadn't had the chance before. I am now in uni, I am a student nurse and enjoying it.

If you want to do it then go for it, I had a good support network of family/husband so that helped alot when I needed to write assignments.

What are you looking to study?

Gigglepig

It is a distance learning course, so I won't need to attend any classes at all, everything would be done from home on my laptop. However I have no help with babysitting.

mummyofboys

To be honest I mainly needed help with my elder son as he needs alot of attention. I think you would be fine, newborns/ young children have naps regularly so that would give you an opportunity to do you work, or in the evenings when he/she is in bed for longer.

I was able to continue being paid SMP and it was never a problem.

Gigglepig

it is great to know that the SMP would not be a problem.

I am just a bit concerned that studying while looking after a newborn may not be a good idea, but perhaps I'm being a wimp

mummyofboys

No not at all being a wimp, I think It depends on why you want to do it. For me, my husband doesn't earn a great deal, I was always on minimum wages jobs and having to change them if they closed ect. I wanted a career and a better job for the future of my boys, but I prehaps have sacrificed that precious year I got with my first son.

For me I had to do this for the future for my kids so we can have a decent life, but I woulnd't of done it if it was just for a hobby/not really going to add much to my life. It wouldn't be worth giving up the special bonding time.

Everyone is different this is just my views x

GobbledyGook

Is this the only chance you'll ever have to do the course?

I have to say I wouldn't do it with a newborn, especially not a first. You have no idea before they arrive what your baby is going to be like. I arranged to go back to work full time after a promotion after my 3rd was born. Completely frazzled me because he was nothing like my first two. I thought my daughter had been a demanding/difficult baby until my son came along.

Also you'll have to check your employers stance on the course. Where I work you cannot do a course paid by them if you are on maternity or long-term sick (though that is primarily to stop pressure being put on people by managers to do courses).

mildred1978

Gigglepig wrote: »

I am pregnant with my first, and currently work full time. It is early days and I have not yet told my employer yet. I may have the opportunity to enroll on a distance study, part time course. I do not have family around to baby sit, but at least it is a 100% distance learning course with no uni attendance.

It would be great to hear if anyone has experience with studying part time while on maternity leave. Is this unrealistic? Would the workload need to be reduced even further, compared to a normal part time course?

Is it a problem to continue part time studies funded by the employer, whilst on maternity leave and in receipt of SMP?

I finished my Masters while on mat leave. First 6 months weren't too bad because LO slept a lot. 2nd 6 months I had to stay up all night once a week to fit it all in. Passed though!

MrsManda

If you give me three weeks I'll let you know how I get on

I'm currently doing a 30 point yr2 course with the OU and I'm 37 weeks pregnant with my first and the course is due to end in October.
I'll have my OH around at weekends but during the week it'll be just me and baby. As others have said, I'm sure it's doable with the right motivation, it just requires planning - I make a lot of lists and tick things off when complete so I don't panic by looking at everything at once.

Gillyx

Depends how much baby sleeps. From early on my little one has taken next to no naps during the day and by the time he goes down at 7pm and i get showered, dinner etc im exhausted and need bed. He is very demanding during the day and i have time sometimes to run a mop over/wipe the counters but thats about the extent of it.

jackyann

I tried, found it very difficult, and postponed. It wasn't so much finding the time, it was finding the brain space. My head was completely with my baby. I had four, and found that with each one, I was completely absorbed for about 6 months. I learned to take on nothing but family stuff in that time.
I have read these replies with interest, as I too have known women who have studied and done very well whilst caring for a newborn.
My advice is:
canvas as many opinions as you can, and take especial notice of those from women you feel are most like you.
consider options, such as: what happens if I don't manage it (or - let's hope not - if either of you are ill). Can you postpone or will there be penalties?
You say you have no family, but is baby's father around? Consider his commitment to helping you study if he is.

Think carefully & realistically, discuss with those close to you, and good luck with whatever you decide.