Leaving My 4 Year Old for 3 Days at a Time (14Wks) to Go to Nursing School?????

Nursing is a great career. You will have many options. Hopefully you are getting your bachelor's degree in nursing. If not, I urge you to think about it. I am currently a nurse practitioner. I have known many nurses with AA degrees and when they wanted another type of job in nursing it required a bachelor's. It's hard to get through nursing school now, it's even harder later, but not impossible.
My philosophy is that I can do almost anything when I know there is a time limit. This period will be difficult, but you and your family can do it! You are very fortunate that you have family members to care for him. It's a wonderful opportunity for him to develop relationships with them.
My advise, for whatever it's worth is - let him know each week who will be caring for him. (it's amazing how much they understand early). For example, You will go to Aunt Mary's and sleep at night there. In the morning you will go to Aunt Jane's, ... After you have slept at night (so he doesn't think naps count). I will be home. Talk to him weeks in advance how you are learning to be a nurse and you will be gone four nights learning how to be a nurse. Let him know when it starts. Maybe use a calendar and count down the days. Expect him to be mad at you when you come back. Let him know it's ok to be mad that mommy has to leave, but mommy loves him. Expect his behavior might be difficult for you - just remember this is temporary and it's best for him and your family. Don't slack on the discipline (you may be tempted because you feel guilty. Not saying you should feel guilty. Just saying you probably will feel guilty). You will do him a disservice in the long run if you slack on the discipline. I would also buy him a special stuff animal that you give him and let him know that the stuff animal will be looking over him for you. Sort of something he can hold onto when he misses you. Never can tell if this will help. Don't think it can hurt. In the long run this is harder on you. Try to focus on the good. It's really a very short period of time in his life. He has an opportunity to develop special relationships with family members. If this happens it could be a great thing - can't plan these things. All the best!

You have family members that love him, so you are not leaving him with strangers. He'll have fun! It is only 14 weeks and will probably fly by. I applaud you for trying to make a better life for your family. Go for it!

Go for Momma! He will be fine, and those 14 weeks will fly by.

Children as so flexible. He'll have plenty of people he loves and trusts to care for him while you are gone. This will leave you free to concentrate on your education without having to be overly worried about your little one.

So I'd say that your son will be just fine while you move forward in your education. You just need to give yourself permission to leave him and once you do that it'll be easier for you. Best of luck in your future career.

It's 3 months out of his childhood. I think that as long as he is cared for in his home, I would go ahead and do it. It's not forever, and your nursing career will benefit him/your family. When my oldest was a toddler/preschooler, I travelled for business regularly and she dealt with that well

He should be fine-as long as he has a good relationship with the family members that will be watching him and his father watches him during his 2 wks off.

I think he will be fine. If you can, have a laptop for you and a computer at home for him, each with a video camera and you can talk to each other daily via Skype so he can see and hear you. This will help keep you feeling connected and close.

No matter what, he will be ok (and so will you). You'll still spend four days a week with him and get plenty of quality time together.

It will also help prepare him for when you go back to work and he needs to spend time with other caretakers.

I don't have much helpful advice for now, however, if family is willing and able to take him, that is wonderful. Is nursing school something you truly want to do. I encourage you to think about the future, look at nursing hours and shift work. I have a home daycare and care for a 16 month old whose mom is a nurse and dad is a police officer, they both shift work. Will you be okay doing shift work including days, nights, evenings and weekends? Is family willing to care for him during the 2 weeks your husband is gone? You certainly need to think about the future before making the commitment to nursing school hours.

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He will be fine. You are doing this to better yourself for your family, and he will be in trusted hands. He is no longer an infant, and although he may be mad that you are gone, he will not hold it against you in the long run.

You sound very level headed and I know you worry about your son. I am a nurse with 2 children so I can tell you that nursing is a great career and very family friendly. Congratulations for sticking to your goals! I gathered that it is only for 14 weeks which in the big scheme of things is not long. You are lucky to have family that can do this for you!

My kids are 10 and 7 now and looking back I realize that they really don't remember much from when they were 4. Kids really are very flexible and forgiving. As long as he will be with loving family and will see you 4 days out of the week I doubt he will be affected long term. :) Plus, during the 2 weeks your husband is home your son will have him to himself and they will have time to bond, which is great! I really think it's better to do it now than when he's older and will remember more.

I think you'll find that doing something for yourself will make you a happier mommy in the long run. It will probably be a bit disjointed and stressful until you settle into a routine but you'll be glad you did it. Good Luck with Nursing School--you'll be so glad in the long run!

I agree with the other posts.... that your son will be fine, and will find his own rhythm in all of this. It doesn't sound like it is for that long of a period of time, and just around the time you all are getting a little crazy with the schedule, you'll be done! And praise the Lord, you'll be well on your way to having a stable and reliable job.

What a blessing that you have family around to help out, and though your husband will be gone for 2 weeks straight, he'll also be home for 2 weeks, too! What fun boy bonding time that could be.

I would consider getting him something special for this time, like a fun sleeping bag (if he is staying at someone else's house during this), or a new board game that him and dad can play while you are gone. Just something as a little reminder of mom and dad.... ooh, or maybe a dr.s (nurses) set, so he can feel like he is playing a part in your schooling.

BEST OF LUCK!

Millions of women would love to be in your shoes. By next fall-your four year old will be more than amenable to be cared for by other-and here's where you're very fortunate-FAMILY members. You will be fostering independence with the help of people who love him. You will also be contributing to your family's well being by being able to -probably at some point-duplicate your husband's income! My husband would be behind me with an electric cattle prod if I could do that! Won't your son be attending preschool by then? Your accomplishment will someday be revered by your child-he will admire you and be very proud-and that is worth every sacrifice.

Kids are wonderfully resiliant!! He will be just fine. This will help strengthen the bond between your son and the family members who will be watching him. Let's face it, we all put so much stress on ourselves but in other cultures, extended family takes a more prominant role in the upbringing of the children. You are doing this to help yourself and your family, and in the meantime, he will be in good hands.

Good for you!!

J.

your baby will not forget you or grow a tail while you are gone, you have checked out everyone who is going to have any contact with your child while you are gone, correct? leave nothing to chance. pedophiles dont take time off, neither should you. i am not saying dont go, i am saying make certain your child will be in safe hands while you are gone.
K. h.