How to Keep the Kids Busy While Completing Prerequisites for Nursing

Choosing to advance your education as an adult is a big step. Whether you’re working to earn a new degree, enhancing your skills, or changing careers entirely, going back to school is a journey that will demand your time and focus — two things that are not easy to come by when you’re working a full time job and raising kids. 

If you’re wondering how you can possibly fit it all in — work, family time, social life, AND school — you’re not alone. Achieve Test Prep provides adults with the opportunity to complete prerequisites for nursing and general education courses whenever and wherever it best fits your schedule. Online classes for prerequisites are taught by live instructors who can answer any questions you have real time. With Achieve, you can attend class once each week, study at your pace, and complete prerequisites for nursing and general education courses in as little as 5 weeks rather than going to school multiple times each week for an entire 16-week semester. We strip out all the homework, group projects, papers and quizzes to teach you what you need to know to pass the equivalent of a final and earn college credit by exam. 

In addition to a different, and more convenient way to go back to school, we’ve also got some practical, and sanity-saving, tips to help you keep the kids busy while you attend class and study. 

1. Create a routine 

As you probably already know, kids thrive on routine. When you set up a predictable schedule, it helps kids feel secure and reduces the number of interruptions and questions you’ll face about what’s happening next. It also shows your kids that studying is important because it's a part of the regular routine. 

Have fun with it and create a calendar with your kids. Let them help you color code activities and decorate it with stickers and fun artwork. When making your schedule, include clear blocks for meals, free play, screen time, quiet time, snacks, studying, etc. If you can study or attend classes at the same time each day, that’s even better. This will let the kids know exactly when “Mom or Dad is in school” and shouldn’t be disturbed. 

2. Make a “class time” activity space

Set aside special toys, books, or craft supplies that only come out when you’re attending class or studying. This will help keep study time  exciting for children. You should make sure to exclude items that create a lot of noise and may distract you or items that require you to help your kids use them. Make sure the activities are within reach so you’re not having to get up constantly and hand them out or retrieve them during your dedicated school time. 

We suggest including fun items such as: 

• Puzzles
• Coloring books and supplies
• Stickers 
• Play-doh
• Magnetic tiles
• Legos or other building blocks
• Easy craft supplies (seasonal kits, pipe cleaners, glue sticks, ribbon pieces, googly eyes)

3. Encourage independent play

Independent play is a skill. And like any skill, it can take some practice to develop the ability to do it. Encourage kids to play alone without you or your spouse entertaining them. Start by setting a timer for 10-15 minutes and encourage children to play solo or with each other. Gradually increase the time over a few weeks, and you’ll likely be surprised by how long your kids can entertain themselves once they get used to it. 

You can help by encouraging them to play with: 

• Dolls or action figures
• Sensory bins (using kinetic sand, Orbies, rice, beans)
• Simple Lego sets
• Dress up clothes and accessories 
• Blankets, pillows and other “fort building” materials

4. Use screen time to your advantage

Excessive screen time is definitely not ideal, but using it strategically can be a lifesaver when you need to study for an exam. Save daily screen time for those times when you really need to focus on your studies. Help kids choose education programs, interactive learning apps, and child-friendly YouTube channels that will hold their attention and give you the quiet time you need to study or attend class. Please make sure you review the content ahead of time to ensure that it is appropriate and set limits to prevent them from using their screens too long. 

5. Let others help if they offer

If you have someone — a partner, parent, neighbor or friend — who offers to lend a hand with the kids during times you attend classes or study, let them help. If you have a coworker who is also taking classes, see if you can trade off watching each other's kids. Even an hour of help here and there can be a game changer when it comes to focusing on your studies. 

6. Use downtime and bedtime for studying

If you have babies, toddlers or small children, nap time can be a golden opportunity for studying. Schedule your study time during these windows for focused, quiet work with no distractions or interruptions. You’ll be surprised how much you can accomplish in a short amount of time. 

If you have school aged children, you can study while they do their homework and institute family learning time. You’ll be bonding with them and modeling good study habits at the same time! 

Evening study sessions or online classes for prerequisites and general education courses after the kids go to bed are also a great option. This is a time when you can be productive without worrying about when they will wake up ready to play. Just be careful not to burn out. You need to make sure you leave room in your schedule for your own down time to rest and rejuvenate. 

7. Give yourself grace

You aren’t going to be perfect when it comes to your studies and that’s ok. Your kids will interrupt you during online classes and while you’re studying. It’s ok. You may be late for a class because you’re putting the kids down or finding them an activity, and it’s ok. There will be days when the schedule blows up and it seems impossible to get anything done, let alone study. That’s ok too. 

The important thing is to stick with it. You’ll be modeling resilience for your kids and showing them what it looks like to work toward a goal. You’re also showing them that learning is a lifelong process. 

Balancing school with work and parenting is not an easy task, but it is doable. With a little planning and a willingness to keep working at it, you can succeed. Some structure, creativity, and support from Achieve in online prerequisites for nursing and other general education courses will help you grow in your career while nurturing your family as well. Just keep pushing forward — your family and your future self will thank you.