[Minimorty]

Sooo….I am 27, married, and have a 2 yr old and a 5 week old. I am working full time and studying my tail off when I have the time. My main goal is not to go bat $&@$ insane during this process. Anyone else dealing with anything similar?

[Minimorty]

@macha – I'm sorry to hear about your little boy. Colic is no fun at all. For me, family is always most important. If there is anything left in the tank, studying comes after. You still have a couple of months to get in some solid studying. Perhaps your hubby can call in sick a couple days to give you a break from the crying. Hang in there and good luck!

[Anonymous]

Macha,

My first baby had reflux as well and never slept. I thought I'd lose my mind. I thought babies loved to eat and sleep so I kept taking him to the pediatrician and asking “are you sure this is normal? He spits up A LOT”. He always gained weight and years later the reflux went away. Just hang in there. Those days are now a blur. I can't imagine having to study for the hardest exam on earth while having a baby.

You have a lot on your plate. Are you under pressure to pass the exam now? Would it be more realistic to wait another 6 months or a year to try for the exam?

[macha1909]

@Minimorty @ Allyson Thank you. Yes i am under pressure to pass the exams as the credit for BEC section will expire soon and i have 3 more sections to go. I started this course when i was pregnant n cleared BEC section. My delivery was an emergency operation due to preeclampsia. My son was in hospital's nursery for about a month due to low birth weight. Now he is doing fine and he gained weight remarkably. In all this my CPA exams took a back seat. Sometimes i just feel like giving up but then i remember all the pains i took for this course…God knows what's gonna happen..anyway thanks for your support.

[Kitch]

I'm 29, married with a 4 year old and 2 year old and studying is hell!! I wake up at 4:00 study till 6:00 get kids ready, myself get to work by 8. I then study on lunch, get home by 6. I have to a be mommy and wife…fix dinner, give baths and then shower myself, and study from 8-10.

I have to bias here and it may sound horrible, but this is MY opinion for whatever it is worth…..

Studying for the CPA is tuff, its hard!! However, throw a couple kids in the mix especially the age range of 12 months to 3 years and being a women (yes men, I do believe women “feel” they have more responsibilities with kids and therefore do more to take care of kids) and it feels unbearable. To top it off I am seriously depressed as I have to put a smiling face on while I work 9 hours a day, study 5 and clean and be a mommy for whatever is remaining oh and still fail exams!! This feels undefeatible……….I honestly can't try any harder……..unless I go down to 4 hours of sleep a night!

FAR - Passed
REG - Passed - 2 tries
AUD - Passed - 2 tries
BEC - Passed

[Hope I Pass]

I don't have much to add to what everyone has already said…it is hard! I'm 33 and married with a 2-year-old little boy and a full-time job. I am one of those odd people that has the most energy in the morning, so I get up early and study for a couple hours before leaving for work. I study during lunch, but by the evening after getting my son to bed, I've don't have much, if anything, left to give. Oh yeah, I'd study for a few hours on Saturdays/Sundays before my son got up and then during his naptimes. I know you're probably not supposed to do this, but I'd take my laptop down in the evenings to the family room and do Becker questions while hanging out with my husband and watching those “guilty pleasure” shows…Bachelor, Idol, DWTS. Oh well, whatever works! My husband has been laid-off (hoping the economy improves soon), so he takes care of our son during the day, so that helped with not having to get my son ready for daycare in the morning and pick him up at night (he's sleeping when I leave for work). I'm waiting on BEC and hope I'm done, but we'll see. If not, I'm planning on a late-August retake.

FAR - 84
AUD - 78
REG - 86
BEC - 86

FINISHED!! Now this career-switcher has to find a job...

[mla1169]

My kids are older (11 and 18) and I can't imagine especially with an infant, but between working full time and being in school half time plus doing the CPA exams, the wiley audio books that you can download to an ipod/mp3 are a nice boost to whatever other program you are using because you can listen while you are busy doing other things with your kids/job/etc. or in the car, or while you are winding down at night.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

All it is possible to pass this exam if you put a plan in place and stick to it. I always believe if you put in the effort the results will come. I also think the key to your plan is like Allyson said is to be realistic. Build at least 10% of extra time into your plan for the those times when life gets in the way. It is possible for I married, full time job and 6 kids (3-12 yrs old) and pass the exam. I will say that I could not have done it without the support of my wife and taking care of those 6 children while I studied each night. Well everyone create your plan, stick to it and make sure you are doing quality studying and you will perserve in the end. Good Luck as difficult as the journey is for each of you, the end result is well worth it in my eyes.

[Tosha]

I have a 14 year old and a 4 year old. Thank goodness they are rather independent because they usually let me study without interrupting too much. My biggest struggle comes from within. I feel like I am neglecting them and that stresses me out!

AUD: 2/12/2011: 84
REG: 4/4/2011: 82
BEC: 5/9/2011: 78
FAR: 7/7/2011: 75

[Mitzie7]

I have 5 kids from 20 – 11 and a full-time job. They are pretty independent (the 20 year old moved out last month) but there is still so much driving to do, sporting events to go to, homework help, etc that it can be hard to find time to study. I usually get up at 5 am to exercise but I have been alternating exercise with studying to try and fit in more study time. We went to Cedar Point last weekend and I brought the Ninja Notes with me into the park. I am a ride chicken so when the rest of the family was in line for the scary stuff, I studied. I am sure I looked quite strange!

AUD 74, 83
FAR 75
REG 71, 71, 70, 86!!!!!! 🙂
BEC 85

[grace_mathew03]

Any moms out there starting to study? What review course are you using or have used?

I have a 4 year old and a 2 month old and have decided to start studying once again after failing AUD twice! 🙁

My Becker software has expired – is it worth it just to purchase the NINJA package with the Wiley Test Bank?

[jw_83]

grace_mathew03 – I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old. I started studying when I was pregnant with my second child. I use Gleim and have supplemented with NINJA notes. I would suggest researching the different programs, and decide which one fits your learning style and I would implement Jeff's ELL plan. It has made studying with kids much easier.

REG - 64, 72, 81!
FAR - 77
AUD - 79
BEC - 72, 79! And Done!

[Anonymous]

I found the secret to getting my kid to sleep…..YES…you guessed it my friends..BUSINESS CONSOLIDATIONS….don't act like you stay awake through that stuff…haha..try it!! You'll be thanking me for years to come 😉

[I'm, Ron Burgundy?]

5 am will become your best ally in this fight. You'd be amazed how much you can accomplish if you wake up an hour earlier each day.

According to Men's Health: The best hour of the day is the hour between 6 am and 7 am. The sun is rising, the coffee is brewing and no one is riding your @$$ yet.

"If you're going through hell, keep going"
- Winston Churchill

"I've missed over 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost over 300 games. 26 times I've been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I've failed, over and over and over again in my life. And that is why, I succeed."
- Michael Jordan

BEC: (54), (72), 80 (losing credit on 02/02/15 - nervous)
AUD: 78
REG: (74), 91
FAR: (71)

[Tncincy]

Do we have to say how old the child is we are trying to study with? Well, I have four children that are at the age that they don't care about anyone but themselves and their social network……..yes, 3 in college and one senior in high school. I am telling you they are home from school and they fight all day until dusk then they go out ( somewhere, or where ever). They don't sleep at night, they come in at about midnight and stay up all night on the internet, then they raid the kitchen. I don't know what's worse terrible two's or three 22-20 year old. I guess that is a form of 2.

There is only one place to get study and solitude…the bathroom. I have a little sit stool and my ninja notes, headphones and a candle in the bathroom. Hey you have to do what you have to do.

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader.....time to pass

It begins with a 75
Been here too long as a cheerleader....ready to pass

[CPA2B_NJ]

@JaredSchultz42 – I'm going to try studying from 5am to 6am before my son wakes up, and then from 9pm to 10pm after my son goes to bed. Maybe that will help me study more and also retain the information.

@mla1169 – I purchased the NINJA Audio and I'm so glad because I feel like I'm actually studying during my 1hr drive each way. It was worth the investment.

@tncincy – I agree with you, no matter the age, children are children, and all that changes is the differences in demand of your parenting. I have a 9mo boy by the way 🙂 Hang in there. I'm glad you're able to study in your bathroom. My son cries to the top of his lungs when I leave him alone with dada, so I can't study until he's down sleeping.

Please God help us all retain the crazy amount of information we need to pass this exam in the short amount of time we have to study!

FAR - 50, 78
BEC - 67, 72, 75
AUD - 72, 80
REG - 70, 85

To God be the glory! Forever, amen!

NJ License

[Author]

Replies