[Ajaz0810]

So I had a daughter born Monday morning. She is the most beautiful thing in the world. However, she cries all night. My wife has 3 months off and I have the rest of the week off. I’m sure people have gone through this and passed the exam while going through this. I told my wife I would be able to help with the baby from when I get home from work till 12pm. Then I need my sleep. I was thinking I would be able to get in 2 hours of study time from when I get home to 12pm and at least 4 to 5 hours on days off but I’m not sure. This is hard on her she needs my help. I go into battle with FAR on January 21st so I’ve got a little under 6 weeks. Just curious on what’s worked for anyone else? I think I read somewhere where Jeff has 6 kids so Jeff if you’re reading this how did you do this with kids, especially newborns?

Thank you

FAR 62, 66, 78
AUD 66, 55, 74, 72
BEC 79
REG

[makeitstop]

Ajaz,

I have two daughters as well. One was born right in the middle of my studies. I had 2 exams done. My wife wanted me to pass so she allowed me to study as much as possible. I had to cut everything out of my life except work and my wife and kids. I'm a huge football fan and didn't watch more than 5 games all fall before I passed. I believe the exam is more about what you are willing to give up to get it done. You can do it.

[fiona87]

” I told my wife I would be able to help with the baby from when I get home from work till 12pm. Then I need my sleep.”

…did your wife slap you?

I have a six month old and a four year old. I am in public accounting and work full time (and so does my husband), and I studied for (and passed) FAR and am currently working on AUD. I personally think it's horrifyingly unfair of you to basically retract your parenting duties. Studying is one thing, and it sure is necessary, but your wife needs sleep, too, and it's not all fun and games.

It's possible to do, but you're just going to be tired. That's part of new parenthood.

FAR - 79 (11/27/13)
AUD - 76 (2/1/14)
REG - 77 (5/30/14)
BEC - 88 (7/18/14)

MN Ethics - 100% (3/9/14)

AND DONE! 8/1/14

[fiona87]

” I told my wife I would be able to help with the baby from when I get home from work till 12pm. Then I need my sleep.”

…did your wife slap you?

I have a six month old and a four year old. I am in public accounting and work full time (and so does my husband), and I studied for (and passed) FAR and am currently working on AUD. I personally think it's horrifyingly unfair of you to basically retract your parenting duties. Studying is one thing, and it sure is necessary, but your wife needs sleep, too, and it's not all fun and games.

It's possible to do, but you're just going to be tired. That's part of new parenthood.

FAR - 79 (11/27/13)
AUD - 76 (2/1/14)
REG - 77 (5/30/14)
BEC - 88 (7/18/14)

MN Ethics - 100% (3/9/14)

AND DONE! 8/1/14

[mla1169]

fiona87 agreed. OP says “Then I need my sleep”. Would like to mention mama needs her sleep too because trust me when I say the job she does all day is far more important (and requires far more mental stamina) than any office job that needs to be done. 🙂

Daddy is overtired, a report has a wrong number on it. Can be fixed.

Mommy is overtired, baby could be seriously hurt.

Unfortunately when you become a parent that little person trumps everything else that is going on in your life.

Besides you always have time to take or retake an exam. You'll never have a 2 week old first child again. Not ever 🙂

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[mla1169]

fiona87 agreed. OP says “Then I need my sleep”. Would like to mention mama needs her sleep too because trust me when I say the job she does all day is far more important (and requires far more mental stamina) than any office job that needs to be done. 🙂

Daddy is overtired, a report has a wrong number on it. Can be fixed.

Mommy is overtired, baby could be seriously hurt.

Unfortunately when you become a parent that little person trumps everything else that is going on in your life.

Besides you always have time to take or retake an exam. You'll never have a 2 week old first child again. Not ever 🙂

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

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[JMOR]

I think that I may have blocked out how tired I was for the first few months after my daughter was born. As Fiona87 said, being tired comes with the territory and it is your new reality.

REG - 86
FAR - 74,
BEC - 72,
AUD -73,

[JMOR]

I think that I may have blocked out how tired I was for the first few months after my daughter was born. As Fiona87 said, being tired comes with the territory and it is your new reality.

REG - 86
FAR - 74,
BEC - 72,
AUD -73,

[gt5717b]

As mentioned before, wife and baby's needs come first. Take all the advice you're given here and realize that what works in some situations might not work in others. Every baby is different. If you have to reschedule an exam, it's $35 and it is well worth it sometimes.

My situation: We had our 2nd child right as I finished up my prerequisite accounting courses. When he was about 6 months old, I decided it was time to schedule that first CPA exam. Shortly thereafter, my wife got pregnant again…with twins. So, I knocked out the first exam and then we put our house on the market, moved, found renters, had the twins and endured tax season. Next thing I know, it'd been about a year and I still hadn't taken any more exams. I crammed in the rest of the exams (including one re-take) before my original passing score expired.

I'm not saying all this to brag (ok, 5% brag and 95% illustration) but to show that it is possible to have kids, including newborns, and pass the exams. Now, I did zero studying for the first 4-5 months of the twins' lives (they were born Jan 2013 right before tax season so I didn't start studying FAR until May/June 2013).

Unless you have scores that might expire, I'd postpone the exams until you have a basic routine set at home with the newborn.

REG - 89
FAR - 84
AUD - 73, 86
BEC - 89

GA Licensed CPA

[gt5717b]

As mentioned before, wife and baby's needs come first. Take all the advice you're given here and realize that what works in some situations might not work in others. Every baby is different. If you have to reschedule an exam, it's $35 and it is well worth it sometimes.

My situation: We had our 2nd child right as I finished up my prerequisite accounting courses. When he was about 6 months old, I decided it was time to schedule that first CPA exam. Shortly thereafter, my wife got pregnant again…with twins. So, I knocked out the first exam and then we put our house on the market, moved, found renters, had the twins and endured tax season. Next thing I know, it'd been about a year and I still hadn't taken any more exams. I crammed in the rest of the exams (including one re-take) before my original passing score expired.

I'm not saying all this to brag (ok, 5% brag and 95% illustration) but to show that it is possible to have kids, including newborns, and pass the exams. Now, I did zero studying for the first 4-5 months of the twins' lives (they were born Jan 2013 right before tax season so I didn't start studying FAR until May/June 2013).

Unless you have scores that might expire, I'd postpone the exams until you have a basic routine set at home with the newborn.

REG - 89
FAR - 84
AUD - 73, 86
BEC - 89

GA Licensed CPA

[jw_83]

I started studying when I was pregnant with my second son, who will now be 2 in a few months. The most important thing is agree on a schedule with your wife. If you say you will help with the baby from the time you get off work until 12, then do it. If you expect her to get up in the middle of the night with the baby, then carve out a time where she can have her own “me time” to nap or take a bath, etc. My husband starting working second shift, so I don't get a lot of time to study in the evening. So I get up early to study and study on my lunch hour. I can listen to audio while cleaning/cooking in the evening. I try to sneak in some studying in the evening, but my 5 year old tends to interrupt. On the weekends I get up early before everyone else to study. I study during nap time/quiet time my kids have and I usually get another hour or two in there when my husband can keep them busy. However, the weekends are the only time we are all together as a family, so I don't spend all day studying.

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

[jw_83]

I started studying when I was pregnant with my second son, who will now be 2 in a few months. The most important thing is agree on a schedule with your wife. If you say you will help with the baby from the time you get off work until 12, then do it. If you expect her to get up in the middle of the night with the baby, then carve out a time where she can have her own “me time” to nap or take a bath, etc. My husband starting working second shift, so I don't get a lot of time to study in the evening. So I get up early to study and study on my lunch hour. I can listen to audio while cleaning/cooking in the evening. I try to sneak in some studying in the evening, but my 5 year old tends to interrupt. On the weekends I get up early before everyone else to study. I study during nap time/quiet time my kids have and I usually get another hour or two in there when my husband can keep them busy. However, the weekends are the only time we are all together as a family, so I don't spend all day studying.

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

[tomq04]

My wife is pregnant and I am busting to get done before May 30 (she is due June 30). If this baby is anything like the last child, studying for the 3 months following birth will NOT be an option. As unfortunate as it is to say this, i literally remember NOTHING from his first 3 months. He screamed and screamed…and screamed for 3 months. When people ask what happened during that period, my only response is “i don't know”. It was only 20 months ago 🙁

Hoping these next 6 months are smoother!

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[tomq04]

My wife is pregnant and I am busting to get done before May 30 (she is due June 30). If this baby is anything like the last child, studying for the 3 months following birth will NOT be an option. As unfortunate as it is to say this, i literally remember NOTHING from his first 3 months. He screamed and screamed…and screamed for 3 months. When people ask what happened during that period, my only response is “i don't know”. It was only 20 months ago 🙁

Hoping these next 6 months are smoother!

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[KNMCPA]

I am 26 years old with 3 children and am a full time accountant. My boys are 13, 6 and 2. My days are extremely busy, but have been able to successfully complete 2 sections of the exam using Becker Self Study. I study between 2-4 hours Monday through Friday. I generally sneak in a few questions during the day at work and listen to the lectures while I work in the office. Saturdays I typically spend 4 hours in the morning and give myself a rest day on Sundays.

Bedtime in my house is 8:30pm so when the kids go to bed, I normally will utilize that time as well. Sneak in as much as possible into your day. You'll do well!!!!!

BEC- 75
AUD - 83
REG - 76 (Expired 2/28/14)
FAR - 53 66

Becker Self Study

[KNMCPA]

I am 26 years old with 3 children and am a full time accountant. My boys are 13, 6 and 2. My days are extremely busy, but have been able to successfully complete 2 sections of the exam using Becker Self Study. I study between 2-4 hours Monday through Friday. I generally sneak in a few questions during the day at work and listen to the lectures while I work in the office. Saturdays I typically spend 4 hours in the morning and give myself a rest day on Sundays.

Bedtime in my house is 8:30pm so when the kids go to bed, I normally will utilize that time as well. Sneak in as much as possible into your day. You'll do well!!!!!

BEC- 75
AUD - 83
REG - 76 (Expired 2/28/14)
FAR - 53 66

Becker Self Study

[Author]

Replies