[mmoynes]

I’m having a hard time getting in the amount of study time I need and could use some ideas (kids are 1.5 and 2.5). I’m trying to put in 8 hours each on Saturdays and Sundays but don’t always succeed (need babysitter). I don’t really have any money to invest in a lot of study materials. I’m using the Wiley study guide and freecpaexamreview.com. I was hoping to sit for my first exam (FAR) at the end of August. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

FAR - 76
BEC - 69, 75
AUD - 74, 76
REG - 67, rematch October 2012

[NCEKK]

Hi! I'm a single mom of a 5 year old. I've been working and in school full-time for the past few years. What I've found works best for me is to do bedtime about 7, then I study from 7:30 until whenever I crash. I have never had success studying with him awake and especially not when he was 2/3! But, if your kids have more, uh, sedate personalities, could you set them up with something to play and try to study in the same room?

I finished my Master's in May and took REG at the end of May and AUD July 11. At that point I realized I was not going to be able to study enough for FAR just in the evenings. So, I found a babysitter that is coming M/W/F from 9-12 to give me a little extra time and my parents typically can watch him for a couple hours on Saturday or Sunday. I start my job Aug 1, so my time for studying is going to be greatly decreased. I'm also taking FAR at the end of August.

Good luck!

BEC 84
REG 90
AUD 87
FAR 73...try again in November

[jomarie]

Good luck to the both of you!! I can't image taking these exams with small children and being single!! If I didn't have my husband help me as much as he's had I wouldn't have time to get any studying in.

Started sitting in May 2002, on and off. But since 2008 I've been nonstop and my scores are....
AUD - 39, 48, 56, 65, 68, 73, 76!!! (Finally passed in Oct 2011!!!) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
REG - 75 (Lost Credit) 72, 68, 73, 75 (Passed again in Aug 2011) Becker, NINJA, & Wiley
FAR - 65, 68, 75 (Lost Credit) 68, 73, 73, 80 (Passed again in May 2012) Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
BEC - 65, 68, 71, 72, 72, 71, 76 (Lost Credit)- 70, 76!!!! I AM DONE!!! - Roger, NINJA, & Wiley
After 10 long years of studying, I AM DONE!!!! Finally a Licensed CPA in the State of New York!!

[mmoynes]

My boys could NEVER be described as sedate! LOL

I'm trying to get bedtimes earlier but I'm not succeeding too well. I'm also still battling some guilt over leaving them so much to study and I start getting behavior issues if I don't spend enough time with them. This balancing act is really hard! I work full-time and my employer has said that during tax season no one is allowed to sit for any parts of the exam this year. I'm hoping for one exam last week in Aug., one exam in October, one in November, and the last part the first Saturday in January.

FAR - 76
BEC - 69, 75
AUD - 74, 76
REG - 67, rematch October 2012

[anonymous]

Not a mom, but I have a cousin who sometimes worked as a “mother's helper” before she was old enough to babysit. If you look for a mother's helper instead you might be able to save some money on babysitting costs.

Good luck!

REG -- October 3!!
FAR -- Pass
BEC -- Pass
AUD -- Pass

[NCEKK]

It is really hard. I had a lot of guilt when I went back to school. I found that it was frustrating for both of us for me to try to study when he was up and I would end up grouchy and not really getting any work done. So, I just tried to focus on him during that time and block out school/work/etc. and really make that time count. Once he dropped his nap he started sleeping from 7 p.m. – 7 a.m. Before that it was a nightmare to get him to bed before 9 or 10.

Whenever I would feel guilty I would remind myself that I was doing this to give him more financial security/a better life/ a better future. Short term sacrifices for long term gains, right?

I think my son may be even happier than I am when I finish the CPA exam!

BEC 84
REG 90
AUD 87
FAR 73...try again in November

[mla1169]

I'm not single, but work 2 jobs, go to school and have 2 kids so I can relate to the time restriction. I always have my trusty ipod with the wiley audiobook with me.It plays in the background at work (even if I cant give it my full attention, SOMETHING has to sink in), listen in the car, when I am doing housework I have it on speaker (who cares if it bores my kids?) and pull a LOT of very late nights with my books.

Bedtime earlier is actually probably better for them so let go of the guilt, and I agree with short term sacrifices for long term gains. They will not likely remember this point in their lives but by the time they are old enough to remember well you will be DONE with this, and providing a better life for them!

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Author]

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