Part time study during maternity leave?

Gigglepig

In my situation, the course is more of a "nice to have" than a "must" so perhaps it isn't worth the hassle.

My husband is supportive, but works long hours so when he is home I'd rather have family time than spend time studying.

I will need to look into the pros and cons, details regarding postponing etc.

I am also thinking it may be very difficult to continue with the course after I return to work, and as soon as I'm back at work I'd rather spend my spare time with family.

idea

Here's another vote for you can do it. I also finished my masters whilst my DD was very small. It just depends on how you view things. My baby slept a lot when she was litte and I just couldn't face watching daytime TV. I suggest however that if you do it, you go in with a positive frame of mind, you will have far greater chance of succeeding.

onlyroz

I was writing up my thesis when my son was a baby. It was much tougher than I thought it would be but I got through - with some assistance from my mum, who came round for the odd week to help out while I got some work done. A part-time course? Are you talking one of the 8-hour-a-week postgrad module thingies? I would have thought this would be OK.

LadyMorticia

I'm pregnant with my first and when baby is here, I'll be 5 weeks-ish into my second OU module. I also have severe M.E and my husband is my full-time carer.

I have no doubt that we are going to struggle alot as I'm housebound/bedbound alot but the most I can do is try. The OU are very flexible when it comes to disabilities and other commitments but I have no doubt that things are going to be very hard, especially as I'm so ill alot of the time.:o

abby1234519

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?

In terms of being able to study whilst pregnant, and also studying with a newborn..

I fell pregnant in November 2010, started second semester of uni in Feb 2011. Aside from practical issues such as travelling to uni (I know this doesn't apply to you) I found it ok study-wise. I found that I was more organised when I was pregnant because I knew I would be knackered by 8pm and would need to nap in the afternoon. It is doable if you have a schedule for study and don't just put it off. I would do my work nap, work, nap!

I went back to university when Joshua was 2 months old, same applies I have to be regimented about when I study.

In my honest opinion I find studying so much easier as a parent as I HAVE to have my priorities organised. As a pregnant lady/parent you cannot get away with being lazy all the time.

Ellejmorgan

LadyMorticia wrote: »

I'm pregnant with my first and when baby is here, I'll be 5 weeks-ish into my second OU module. I also have severe M.E and my husband is my full-time carer.

I have no doubt that we are going to struggle alot as I'm housebound/bedbound alot but the most I can do is try. The OU are very flexible when it comes to disabilities and other commitments but I have no doubt that things are going to be very hard, especially as I'm so ill alot of the time.:o

Hi congrats..

You will be totally fine, I have a 5 month old and 2 elder kids that live with me, I split with my partner 3 months ago..
I have spinal problems and am just about coping..

I have swaddled all my children when they sleep it helps them feel safe, although this is down to choice, I feel it makes my baby easier to look after, she's always happy and never distressed...have discussed this with my health visitor who
says I mustn't leave her swaddled unattended though..

I always give the last feed at 11pm and first at 7am, routine is vital as it gets them sleeping all night...
If she has trouble in the day I put her next to the dryer when it's on in her pram, sends her to sleep...some babies don't like quiet, as it's noisy in the womb..

Your first is very exciting, try not to be too brave during delivery, take as much pain relief as offered, you don't want to get exhausted too quickly..

Having kids is amazing, hard work but amazing...

I can't comment on the OU as i'm not studying, but the baby thing does get easier...


CONGRATS......

Newbie81

mummyofboys wrote: »

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?

Hi Mummyofboys,

I am also planning on doing an access course which will be 2.5 days a week during maternity leave.

I am also interested in going back to university. Are mothers on maternity leave allowed to do this as the government pays for maternity once the company stops.

inkie

I am sure you will be fine. I completed my part time degree whilst on mat leave. I had an attendance requirement of 4 hours per week, and used to just take DD with me to the lectures - she sat breast feeding most of the time through them. As it's distance learning, you should be OK.