Full Time Job, Masters Degree and Pregnant. Am I crazy?!

[Melonball3000]

Hello mumsnetters!
I've recently found out that I'm 6 weeks pregnant with my first. I have also found out, however, that I got accepted onto a great distance learning Master's degree course that I've wanted to do for a while which starts in December.
I work full time (48hrs a week) and am only planning on taking 6-8 weeks maternity leave. I can't really take any more due to my job.
My question is, is doing the masters completely unrealistic? I wouldn't want to be so stressed that I feel I've missed out on properly enjoying being a new mum. On the other hand, I'm not sure that doing a masters when my child/children are older would be any easier!
I have a very supportive husband who works fewer hours and have access to good child are arrangements.
Please help, I need to notify the uni soon if I'm going to accept the place!!

[MissHC]

To be completely honest, I wouldn't do it. I've got a 7 month old DD and have been back at work full-time since she was 5 months old. DP also works full-time, DD spends the day at nursery (which she absolutely loves thank god).

I find it VERY hard work. We get up at 6.10AM, drop DD off at nursery at 7.30, commute into London, work 9am-5.30pm, commute back home, pick up DD at 6.45pm. DD is still waking up about 3 times a night and I co-sleep with her (reluctantly so but hey otherwise I wouldn't get any sleep at all). I work from home 1 day a week so commute is cut out.

Weekends are a mad dash of trying to get on top of the house, it's a constant mess and we live on ready meals during the week.

I can't imagine how I would do a master's degree on top of that.

[BCBG]

I wouldn't either, sorry. I have four DCs and Im just completing a part time Masters now (they are 23, 21, 19 and 12). There is no way I could manage a baby on top of what I am already doing. The fact is that the pregnancy and the MA clash if you are also trying to hold down a job and in your shoes would give myself space to enjoy becoming a mum - as MissHC says, it's relentless in the early years - and reapply for the Masters in the future, as I have done. You got accepted this time round and you will again. Its a question of timing, and priorities. Sorry, and congratulations on the baby :)

[jellymaker]

Hi. I waited til my youngest went to school before starting my MSc as I am working nearly full time as well. It is very hard work and I can't wait til its over - I am nearly at the end of the 3rd year. However, it is not nearly as hard work as having a new born baby - I know that this will sound patronising but I don't think anything can prepare you for how tiring new borns are. There is no way that I could have done the MSc when they were tiny on top of my job as well. I am sneaking hours in here and there to try and get it done. Even with a supportive husband and good childcare, which I have, it is tough. those early years go so fast - there will be time in the future to re apply. My advice would be to defer it.

[Melonball3000]

Thank you so much for your replies. I think you've confirmed what I sort of know is the right thing to do anyway. It's kind of a relief when I think about just being able to enjoy it all without having to consider studies as well. Now I can go back to daydreaming about pregnancy and baby names!
Thanks again for your advice

[BCBG]

:) Enjoy every moment - the freedom to do other stuff comes along in the end. I'm 53 and about to start a Phd

[littleblackno]

It's not totally unrealistic but you do need to give yourself time to enjoy your baby don't underestimate how important this is. If you are planning on such a short mat leave then you won't have time to do this. I speak as a lp to 2 young dcs, working 25 hours per week in s stressfull job, whos just finished a post grad dip. It was fucking hard.

[Hoppinggreen]

My husband did an MBA and worked full time when I was pg and just after DD was born and he found it hard going and he struggled to study when he wanted to spend time with us instead.

[Supermum222]

Hi,

I wouldn't do it either. I started my distance learning Masters before I fell pregnant with my first child. I had 2 modules to complete after he was born. I deferred them for a couple of terms started again once I went back to work (he was 11 months). I reduced my hours from full time down to 18.75hrs a week. I found it really tough.
Being a mum is very hard work. And working on top is harder still so you can imagine what it is like when trying to do a Masters also. I passed mine back in 2010 but I felt I only just passed those last 2 modules. I hardly spent any time on it as I was unable to due to 'mummy' commitments. My son got pneumonia at this time so was in hospital twice.
I also had 12 months maternity leave. Your maternity leave is very short. Is there no way you can increase it?

[aturtlenamedmack]

Hi op,
I worked part time and did a BA when pregnant and with newborn.
I scraped through it all by the skin of my teeth, and none of it was done very well.
I'm not sure that it'll be manageable for you with all the will in the world :( sorry!

[Supermum222]

You can always do it later. Enjoy your baby...they are the most important thing in your life xx