Have you ever tried to get anything done around small children? I was folding clothes the other day and my 17 month-old son decided to throw all of the clean clothes out of the laundry basket because HE needed to sit in the basket! I have loaded the dishwasher, only to have the same little human come behind me and unload the dishes I’ve just loaded. If housework is this hard, how can you possibly try to study as a mom with young children? I’ve had kids through Medical School and Residency, through all of my medical licensing and Pediatric Board exams. So, I’ve had to do LOTS of studying with little ones. Here are my 10 tips for studying and working with kids that have helped me along the way.

These tips are also useful for moms who need to get work done at home as well – not just for studying.

1. Write down due dates

Make a calendar with all of your assignment due dates and tests listed. This will help make sure you don’t miss anything, and will help you to plan your studying appropriately.

2. Make a schedule

It’s important to be very intentional about your time when you know you have studying to do. I recommend having set times to play with and nurture your children, but also set times that you’ll set aside to study. In my daily planner, I write down just about everything – my to dos, work, commute times, meal times, bath times, etc. It’s important to be as specific as possible with the layout of your day, so you’re clear on exactly how much time you have left to study. And, once you make your schedule – stick to it! Of course, I would schedule in some extra “wiggle room” because anything can happen with small children.

3. Break down your work

“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Same goes for completing a project or studying! If I knew I needed to make it through a certain number of pages in a book for a test, for a example, I would count the number of pages and divide it by the number of days I have to study. I would then read that many pages per day. I recommend leaving a few “cushion days” in there, where there are no pages scheduled, just in case you get behind. Also, be realistic when creating your reading/work schedule! If you know you won’t read 50 pages in a day, don’t be overly ambitious and make your schedule that way.

4. Plan your meals ahead of time

With your meals planned, it saves you a lot of time daily figuring out what everyone is going to eat. That time saved can go towards studying or getting work done! Here are some tips on lunchbox and dinner planning to help you! For step-by-step instructions and the tools you need to create a meal plan for your home, grab my digital Balanced Mom Toolbox. You’ll get help with not only meal planning, but organizing every area of your life. GRAB YOURS HERE.

5. Take care of the kids first

I find that the kids are less likely to interrupt studying if their needs are met first. Make sure they’re fed, clean, and rested before you start. It’s tough to study with a hungry, cranky kid! I also recommend taking study breaks to spend time with them, if they’re awake. For example, take a break for 10 minutes every hour (or every chapter – however you want to break it up), to do something quick and fun with them.

6. Create a Fun Study Room

I recommend setting up an area in a room with books, art supplies, and toys, where the kids can play and enjoy themselves. Also in that same room room, you can set up your study area. This way, you’re still able to study, but they’ll hopefully remain occupied. This works, of course, only if you’re not easily distracted and your children aren’t too young, needing full supervision.

7. Work when they sleep

When I have something to get done, what has really worked for me is waking up earlier or going to sleep later than my kids. That extra time is “golden”, so use it wisely to be productive!

8. Solicit help

If your children won’t allow you to get anything done without the undivided attention of an adult, it’s time to get help. Ask family, friends, or even hire a babysitter for the times that you need to study, if possible.

9. Find a Study Group

If available, it’s helpful to find a study group with other moms who may be going through the same thing and may understand your struggles. You may be able to share the cost of a babysitter if you’re studying together, or take turns watching the others’ children, so that you have time for yourself to study.

10. Accept It and Push Through

Just know that no matter what you do, things aren’t going to be “easy” with small children. Whether studying, working, or trying to get anything done! Your children require a lot of our time, believe me, I know it. Just know that while it may be rough now, it’s important to just push forward toward your end goal or finish line, knowing that things will be so much better when you reach it. Whether it’s passing a class, graduation, a new job or a promotion – remind yourself of the goal. Also, do little things to reward yourself along the way.

If you have any other study tips to share, please leave them in the comments below!

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