All of my help

Although it may seem that because I currently do not have a job I can do all my schoolwork in a timely fashion, this is not the case for me. Being a stay-home-dad with my sons would be an absolute breeze if I were not a student; however, I do attend school. I don't really have any feasible time to do any of my homework. Many times I will try to read while the boys are taking their nap, but lately their schedules have not been in sync with one another. Sometimes I will even try to do some work after the boys are down for the night, but I am often too tired by then. I am pretty spent after all the day's playing, cooking, cleaning, refereeing, etc. At that point I really don't have the energy to focus on homework, I just want to sit and relax and watch TV. Don't get me wrong … I am not writing this to complain because the truth is I have a very supportive family. They have been a major part of a new studying routine that may work. On the weekends, my wife takes care of the boys for about three hours while I am at the library. When at the library I try and do as much as I can and then make my way back home. Also, on Tuesdays and Fridays my mother and sister are available to watch "Mooky" and "Meatball" if I need to do some work. Occasionally I am even able to use those times away to catch a few winks, which I didn't really believe in naps until recently. I know that I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful family that helps out the way they do. Being in school at this stage in my life does present more challenges than a traditional student may have to overcome. Yet the interesting part is that I am now more equipped to handle things that come my way better than the first time around.

It’s my party and I do what I have to.

My birthday is coming up! Recently, I have been thinking about how to celebrate my birthday. This year my birthday falls on a weekday and not the weekend. I've never been the type of person who goes out to clubs or parties, I have always loved to stay at home and do my own thing. Even as a first-time college student I'd opt to chill in my dorm room while there would be parties on campus or free shuttle rides to clubs. I only went to a total of 5 parties and/or club events during my college career in New Orleans. So here I am now another year with a major difference, I have kids. I know that most people my age would take a vacation day or celebrate in some kind of extravagant way, but that is not my style. However, I'm not going to lie and say that I don't want anything because I do. Yet my mind and funds are more focused on my youngest son having a wonderful first birthday party at the end of this month.

Mornings

I am not a morning person. I, repeat, am not a morning person. I never have been and I never will be a morning person. Each day at 6 AM, “Meatball” wakes up very hungry. Fortunately, I am allowed to sleep until about 7AM because my wife is awake to give him a bottle. I normally get up after lying in the bed for about 10 to 20 minutes praying that “Mooky” does not wake up. It is easier for me to feed “Meatball” his breakfast of baby food or toast (depending on his mood) without “Mooky” distracting him. Then I like to lie around with “Meatball.” “Mooky” is more like me because he too is not a morning person. He does not like to be woken up prior to him getting up on his own, which is around 8AM. When “Mooky” wakes up that is when the fun really begins. “Mooky” has eczema and needs to be moisturized about three to four times a day. As soon as he gets up I have to put Eucerin cream on him, dress him, and get him on the potty. Some days this order may vary. Then “Mooky” and I have breakfast while struggling to keep our food out of the reach of “Meatball.” Once we finish our breakfast I must make the decision of whether to relax, do chores, or complete my school work. I thought that flashes in my mind amongst these options is to go back to sleep. Yet I cannot because if I fall asleep on the kids something will happen where either one or both of them will get hurt. Both household chores and class work are very undesirable choices, but there is a method to my madness in choosing what to do. If the boys are quietly watching T.V. then I both options are on the table so I do whichever of the two I feel is best. Then when the boys are napping I do the other. Yet I have heard that while kids nap parents should do the same, but I don’t like to take naps. I would just rather go to bed early and savor that sweet silent rest that has been elusive throughout my day