[jeff]

I was getting requests for a thread like this – so here it is!

Jeff Elliott, CPA (KS) | Another71 | NINJA CPA | NINJA CMA | NINJA CPE

[Anonymous]

I think the CPA exam is making me a crazy person, and my husband can probably testify to that. I feel resentful that he is not studying for the CPA exam and working 9-6, and consequently easily irritated by him. It's awful.

I hate that I am always snapping at him, but I also feel like it's so unfair that on this beautiful Sunday I am stuck studying, doing laundry, and cooking for the week, while he spent the morning fishing and the afternoon watching football. How do I get past this? He does help around the house, do the grocery shopping, helps with cooking and he is self-employed and works from home. I know he is entitled to a day of rest, and shouldn't have to work 70 hours a week just because I am, but my reaction seems to illustrate otherwise.

Ugh, can't wait til it's over! (the CPA exam…not my marriage)

[Anonymous]

@ alrightscholars,

I'm in the same boat with my boyfriend. I should be grateful that he spent an hour helping me clean this morning. And I should be grateful that during the week, he cleans and does the dishes. But instead I'm just resentful that I'm studying while he is at the bar watching football. It's not fair to him at all. I guess we just have to remember that we decided we wanted to do this, so we have to give up a lot while in the process…or something. 🙂

[Anonymous]

yeah….it's nice to know that I'm not the only one feeling this way 🙂

[Anonymous]

I wish I could say it's getting easier….but that's not the case. However, this is all temporary, right?

[Anonymous]

Yes, thank goodness for that! 🙂

[yankeeaccountant]

UGH…why is it that the closer to exam day, there is always some kind of full blown fight with the hubby, or you find out that your 16 yr old decided not to finish a project assigned 5 weeks ago for an AP Human Geography class? But before you realize that even if he works thru the night he won't finish, you had already sent an email to the teacher asking what is up with your son? So, when you call your son in sick the next day (I know, don't get me started, I, yet again, win an award for Mommy Dearest, the slice of bday cake in the plastic container is still fresh in my mind!)), you know, that the AP teacher knows, he stayed home to finish the assignment???? I used to be normal. Really.

It's like the universe knows that you are on pins and needles before, what you hope to be your very last exam, and decides to give you a shove, then another. I feel like I could write a script for that SNL skit that was titled, “Really, Really?” with Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers. I must be fried. What is wrong with my thinking ? I mean, is there anything wrong with thinking that my family should have a parade for me Thanksgiving weekend—celebrating Mom not studying all weekend–isn't that something to celebrate, isn't that something to have a parade about? Hell, yes! It seems so obvious to me. I am trying to figure out why nobody in my house agrees with me. ;p Maybe if I get a petition going………

All kidding aside, I do wonder why everything blows up before an exam. Seems like clockwork. And I am too willing to jump aboard. Time to break out some hard core positive vibes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DIETlxquzY

[mla1169]

Yankee, first of all the fact that we even know who Amy Poehler and Seth Meyers are means we still have a distant connection to reality 😉

If it makes you feel any better my exam was a month ago and my 12 year old is still failing 2 classes and to make matters worse I FORGOT to go to the meeting I requested to have an evaluation done of her. Nice huh?

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[yankeeaccountant]

@mla1169

I know!!! Really! BTW I miss that skit!

I feel your pain about your daughter. Kids are tough. The older they get the tougher it seems. I am sure the teacher you scheduled the evaluation with can see the signs of a Mom with alot on her plate. So, don't beat yourself up. Hey, I called in my son sick to finish an assignment–WTH? Talk about enabling! I smell therapy down the road for my youngest . I am trying to keep in touch with his teacher, might even get his counselor involved–apathy is so common with kids these days!

I hope you will enjoy the holiday without a CPA exam…and finishing grad school. 🙂

[mla1169]

Thanks. I lol'd when the guidance counselor called to let me know I missed my meeting and said “BTW, Congratulations on finishing your CPA exams, your daughter has been bragging about it all week”. Just thinking my 12 year old was THAT proud of me made the entire struggle worth it.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. My son was the exact same way as my daughter and only barely made it through high school. Once he graduated I backed off and let him choose his path. Now he's working F/T and wants to go back to school It will be different since this is his choice. I know this sounds bad but it took him 18 years to make me beam with pride over him and that was also well worth it 🙂

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[sonett]

This is a nice thread! I will get married soon (in spring 2012) and I study, so this is the right place for me! It's nice to read all your experiences! Thanks for sharing!

And I understand the feeling, when you feel left alone with doing the housework. If you study, and don't work, the partner thinks that you don't have much to do… annoying 🙁

[Tootsie]

I've been married for 4 years. Sometimes I feel really bad because I can't spend enough time with my hubby and our doggie. It is busy season (I work at a big 4 firm) and I have had to work long hours. Studying for the CPA exam also takes up a lot of my time. I attend Becker classes, watch the DVDs, and read the books. I'm afraid it's only going to get worse if I stay in public accounting… Also, I want a little one in a year or two. Hope to have my license by that time!

FAR - 76
AUD - 88!!! DONE!!!!!!!!
BEC - 76
REG - 77

never, never, never give up

[Anonymous]

This is a such nice thread to read through and it helps knowing that i am not alone.

I used to get upset that on the lovely weekends, I had to go to library while hubby was either golfing, relaxing and watching football. Thank goodness I got over it, because it only made things worse for me and us and on top of that when I am upset I can't focus. I decided that this won't be forever.

However, the other night, I was thinking that hubby has been putting up a lot with my ups and downs with this CPA journey, we don't go out as we used to, we just stay in. So I thank hubby for putting up with this and that I miss going out with him. And I asked don't you agree, don't you miss going out together? I could not believe the answer I got, at first he said..hmmm I can't remember how it is..I was upset, OMG. Then I realized that it has been so long and i hope we will able to enjoy going out again, I guess it is almost like dating all over again. But it sort of gave me more push and motivation to finish it asap.

My hats go to all mother's, I can't imagine doing it while having children. You should pat yourself on your back, because i am just married and unemployed and it has been taking me to pass it over a year…

Good luck to us all..

[Anonymous]

Oh no. I didn't mean to delete my previous post. It's hard typing with feels like giant hot dog fingers on a smart phone.

Just remember this is temporary. My husband and kids are so glad this is all over for me now. We are eating better and spending more time doing stuff as a family.

My husband is still in school and I hear him use the excuse of studying to get out of a lot. That's okay because the CPA exam taught me how important it is to respect someone's need for quality study time. I never complain about it.

[Hustle Darling!]

@Tootsie get it done now so that you can move on with your life (i.e., have kids, spend QT with those that are important to you)! If you stay in this profession you will have to get it done at some point so do it now before life gets more complicated. It will all be worth it in the end.

Roger CPA Review
FAR - 5/31/16

[Anonymous]

Yankee,

I've been showing my son Matt Foley video clips on Hulu. Now that's serious motivation!

[Author]

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