Forget the guilt. Be present. And most of all, model a healthy life balance for your children. These are among the suggestion’s student mothers have for parents (or prospective parents) considering pursuing graduate medical degrees at 911爆料 University of Health Sciences (911爆料).
We talked to four mothers of children under the age of 13 who are in the Doctor of Chiropractic, Acupuncture and/or Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine programs at 911爆料 to find out how they are managing the demands of a rigorous medical education with the responsibilities of young children. They shared their experiences and advice for moms who aren鈥檛 sure if they can 鈥渄o it all鈥� (hint: they said you can!).
1. Be Sure It鈥檚 What You Want
The student moms say it鈥檚 important to know where you want to be at the end, even if the path getting there changes along the way.
鈥淚 want to be a chiropractor who shows we have a place in the medical world,鈥� said Sarah Montesa, mother of a five-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son. 鈥淚 felt that 911爆料 would help me do that.鈥� She considered other schools but said that 鈥�911爆料 admissions counselors talked about competency, while other schools talked more about their campus.鈥�
Jasmine Morris is more philosophical. 鈥淚f your dream is to complete school, then apply. Help will come as soon as you take the first step!鈥� advised the naturopathic student. The steps to what she calls her 鈥減assion and purpose in life鈥� took turns through serving as an Air Force captain specializing in nuclear weapons and beginning a masters in health care administration program. 鈥淚鈥檝e wanted to be a doctor since I was three,鈥� said the wife and mother of three children ages 12, 10 and eight. But it wasn鈥檛 until she saw a documentary at church that mentioned naturopathic medicine that she found what she was seeking. 鈥淚 had started changing my diet and was looking into healthy living, but hadn鈥檛 even heard of naturopathy until then,鈥� she recalls. That moment changed her direction. She said when she attended 911爆料鈥檚 Student for a Day program, 鈥淚 felt a sense of peace鈥� and she knew it was the right place for her.
Naturopathic student Priscilla Jackson agrees that 鈥渨hen you want something, you find a way to manage.鈥� When their family doctor recommended surgery for her toddler daughter, she sought a second opinion from a homeopathic doctor. 鈥淚 saw how her health improved, and we started making our own lifestyle changes,鈥� she says of her family. With a bachelor of science in industrial chemistry and an associate degree in podiatry, the Puerto Rico native moved from Costa Rica to Lombard, Ill., to join her sister who graduated from 911爆料鈥� Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine program, and her brother who is in the Massage Therapy program.
2. Ask What Your School Can Do to Help
All four of the moms chose 911爆料鈥檚 Chiropractic Flexible Track option or Naturopathic Flexible Track Option that allow students to complete Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the curriculum in either a five- or six-term track instead of the standard four terms. Students slow down and take less credits per term, but the total number of credit hours remains the same, so there is no additional tuition expense.
鈥�911爆料 had more flex options and non-traditional students like me,鈥� explained naturopathic student Janice Joerges, mother of three children ages 10 and under. 鈥淚t was important to me to be able to experience my kids鈥� lives,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to trade being a mother for being a student.鈥� While she decided not to live on campus, seeing the playground equipment outside the Lombard campus鈥� student housing made her feel that she was not alone as a student parent. 鈥淓ven the students who aren鈥檛 parents are supportive,鈥� she exclaimed. 鈥淚 feel loved and welcomed by them all. They accommodate my schedule for group projects, if I need to pick up my kids,鈥� she explained, adding, 鈥淚 never have to feel bad about taking care of my kids.鈥�
Sarah Montesa agrees. 鈥淭here is no shame in going at a slower pace so you can have a balanced life.鈥� She said that she feels she is learning more by having the extra time and can take advantage of opportunities such as a clerkship at a Chicago hospital.
For Priscilla Jackson, having on-campus apartment-style housing for families helps her make efficient use of her time. 鈥淚t helps just being able to walk back and forth from class to the apartment to grab a snack, take a nap and have more study time, since I don’t have to take time to commute,鈥� she noted.
Jasmine Morris added, 鈥淲hat kept me here are the professors. They applaud and encourage me, knowing I have children.鈥�
3. Be 鈥�100% Present鈥� at School and Home
Another area where the moms agree is that success in both school and parenting depends on being completely present. While Montesa said that she still feels a 鈥済uilt factor鈥� about time spent away from her children for school commitments, 鈥淚 try to make up for it by being as present as possible when I鈥檓 with them.鈥� She seeks 鈥渆xperiences鈥� that she can have with her kids to make their time together special.
Jasmine Morris says she goes into 鈥淢ommy and Wife Mode鈥� when she is home and 鈥淪tudy Mode鈥� when doing schoolwork. 鈥淭he hardest thing is the mental struggle feeling that I鈥檓 slighting them,鈥� she admitted. 鈥淏ut my kids know I have a purpose, and I鈥檝e learned that it鈥檚 OK for me to be in this place.鈥�
鈥淚鈥檓 one hundred percent there for each,鈥� Joerges explained, adding, 鈥淚鈥檓 a better student because I鈥檓 a mom and a better mom because I鈥檓 a student.鈥� Priscilla Jackson echoes the sentiment. 鈥淒inner time is our time, then play after dinner and bedtime stories,鈥� she shared, admitting that she may fit in some studying when the kids play at the park.
All of the moms make use of the local public library by studying while their children attend library programs. 鈥淭he kids have fun and I can study!鈥� Joerges explained, but added, 鈥淒on鈥檛 forget time to just be you and have fun. It models a healthy attitude for your kids.鈥�
4. Share Your Passion and Commitment with Your Kids
Morris鈥� children tell her, 鈥淢ommy, we know this is your dream.鈥� She feels a sense of peace because, she explained, 鈥淢y kids know I have a purpose.鈥� They are also learning to be more independent. Her 10-year-old son enjoys cooking, and the oldest helps with the younger children.
One surprise for Janice Joerges was that she 鈥渄idn鈥檛 expect how excited they are when I get home!鈥� But when her daughter wanted to be a naturopathic doctor for Halloween, she knew they understood what she was working toward.
Sarah Montesa鈥檚 daughter says she wants to be a doctor like her mom, and both kids are proud of her and see that she is working hard and fulfilling her dream. Their mom is very clear about where she is going. 鈥淚 foresee our life being a beautiful thing.鈥�
Come visit 911爆料 University of Health Sciences聽before August 31, 2019聽to learn more about our programs and earn Double Tuition Credit!
