Spoiler: I don’t always balance it perfectly. Some days are a smooth ride, others are pure chaos, and that’s okay!
Morning Madness
Mornings look very different depending on whether I’m on placement or at uni, and whether the kids are at school, private nursery, or on holiday.
On placement days, I usually start around 7–7:30am, meaning I leave the house by 6:40am latest (and that’s cutting it close). That’s all on Dad to get Miles and Lara dressed and out the door. Uni mornings are slightly more flexible. I drop Miles at Grandma’s early and she does the 8:45 school run (her being self employed is a lifesaver!). Lara goes to private daycare around 7:45am, meaning I can dodge some traffic and actually get parked on campus… because, let’s be real, arriving after 8:20am is basically a lottery for parking.
Snapshot of chaos: Most mornings when I’m at uni, I find myself juggling everyone into the car, coffee in hand and bags swinging. Somehow we survive, and I usually make it to class in time with my coffee slightly sloshed and hair mostly tamed.
Small morning win? Bribery works. Fruit or sweets after breakfast if they get their shoes on without a fuss. Not perfect parenting, but it works for us.
Study & Placement Juggle
Studying happens in short bursts whenever I can squeeze it in but placement is more rigid. 13-hour days can be tough, but I actually enjoy my placement weeks. I prefer a schedule of three shifts on, then four days off. It gives me a better balance, even if it means the kids are asleep by the time I get home. By the end of my stint, though, I miss them like crazy, and my patience seems to reset; ready for the winging, the silliness, and everything in between.
Snapshot of chaos: Straight after a Friday night shift, I’ve taken Lara to dancing and Miles to football solo, no sleep, two toddlers in tow, coffee in hand, and somehow managed to survive the day. ADHD multitasking level: expert.
Evening Chaos & Wind Down
Evenings are reserved for family time: play, tea, bath, stories, and wind-down music. Having a routine, especially during term time, is essential; it helps Miles and Lara sleep better and keeps me sane. Weekend activities fill in the rest, and it’s all about maintaining that balance between fun and routine.
Snapshot of chaos: Bath time can feel like a circus; bubbles everywhere, toys floating, Miles trying to “help” Lara wash her hair and me wondering if I need a towel cape just to survive. But by the end, everyone is clean, in pajamas, and stories are read (sometimes half-listened-to, thanks ADHD brain).
Letting Go of Perfection
I’ve fully let go of a spotless house and most social plans. Sometimes, you just roll with it. A messy house isn’t the end of the world… there’s always tomorrow.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Miles and Lara love helping with morning prep. They help me pick out clothes for the week, and Lara is a diva about it. Having shelves ready with three or four days of outfits for each of them is a game-changer.
My biggest support is definitely their dad and Grandma; without their flexibility, studying and placement wouldn’t go smoothly. My best friend deserves a shoutout too; dog walks, chats, and motivational pep talks keep me going when it all feels overwhelming.
Snapshot of chaos: One evening I tried to “catch up” on study notes while they were playing nearby. Miles decided my books were a train track and Lara wanted to “help” type on my iPad. Somehow we all ended up giggling on the floor instead of studying; but hey, priorities, right?
Chaos Moments
Placement + mum life = chaos. I’ve raced through traffic to make school meetings, missed summer fairs and sports days, and generally juggled a million things at once. ADHD doesn’t help (hello, forgetting why you walked into a room!). But I make it work, and most importantly, I remind myself: it’s okay if it’s not perfect. Flexibility is the real win.
Most days, that’s how I survive. And somehow, it works. For anyone balancing kids and studying nursing (or any demanding life + studies), remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect, it just has to work for you.