I just put the baby to bed and I’m writing this post as I sit in a fort with my son eating popcorn and watching a movie with him, trying to get in just a few good moments with him. Life is crazy, but tonight reminds me that it’s pretty great.
When I tell people about having a kid in vet school, I see a mix of confusion, horror, and admiration on their faces. Vet school is hard enough, why would anyone purposefully have a baby during this time? A crazy person that’s who! All kidding aside, I did choose to have a(nother) kid during vet school. Roughly half the people in my class are either married, engaged, or in a serious relationship, and some people don’t want to wait to have kids. I can tell you that if you are one of these people who are excited about having a child and maybe don’t want to wait, it’s doable.
The best thing about having kids in school is my levelheadedness. I would say that I am much more relaxed about school compared to some of my classmates. This is because in reality, there are more things in my life that are immediately important and requiring my attention. When I get the grade I wasn’t expecting, I think, “Oh well, I’m someone’s mom and that is what is truly important.”
The biggest challenge so far: Getting to school on time is a serious task. Mornings around my house are hectic. If you could be a fly on the wall, you would witness a chaos that can only be described as…well I’m not quite sure how to describe it. I run around the house trying to get me, myself (and let’s be honest, my partner too) ready for the day. This involves getting bottles packed up, making sure I have my pump, and does Silas have clothes for the correct weather? What is the weather like today anyway? How does my hair look? Did I shower last night? Don’t forget deodorant!
If you want to have a kid in vet school, you can do it. The most important thing is having a support system that understands your hectic life, and for you to be flexible to make time for your family.
