New...hubby just starting third year

Hi!
My name is Shannon. I'm married to Mike (9 years) and we have two boys (6,3). Mike just started his third year. We are late in lifers (both in mid/late 30's) so making this type of lifestyle change has been challenging, to say the least. We live in Michigan and neither sets of grandparents are "close". His live in another part of Michigan, mine in Florida. I'm also a Mental Health Therapist and I specialize in working with children diagnosed with Autism/Aspergers.

MIke has only been doing this rotations for two weeks and I'm full into panic mode. His availability/flexibility has decreased tremendously and I'm finding myself, not only being the "breadwinner" (LOL for mental health) but doing all the care taking of the kids. I have a feeling the first two years were hard, but we haven't even begun to experience hard.

So, looking for support, venting.....all the usual!

[MrsPotts]

Welcome!!! You will find all the support and venting you need here!!!

[Pollyanna]

Welcome! Dh and I had been married 10 years when he started med school and baby number four came along during spring break of MS1, so I understand the challenges of taking the non-traditional route, lol. Unfortunately you will slowly have to start embracing single parenthood but know that we are always here for support and a good venting session.

[v-girl]

Welcome! I was the breadwinner during med school too (all 9 years since he did MD/PhD). I feel for you! 3rd year of med school was the hardest. 4th year was the easiest (so easy we had a 3rd kid). Take it one month/week/day at a time. Get through this year. We understand!

[ladymoreta]

Welcome! I'm still scarred from 3rd year! J/K, kind of...

What is it about third year???
Although, good to know my panic isn't unwarranted.
thanks!

[Phoebe]

Welcome!

Welcome! I'm a mom, breadwinner, and wife to a nontraditional MS4. So I can sympathize! 3rd year definitely shook things up for us too. This site is great. Look forward to getting to know you.

[MarissaNicole]

and nice to meet you!

[scrub-jay]

Welcome! I'm also a mom (of a 1 yr old), FT breadwinner, and FT student. DH is also an MS3 and we kicked off with surgery!! That was quite an adventure!

[TigerLily]

3rd year is rough! but, at least for us, it pretty much got better after that. Hang in there!

[SoonerTexan]

Stick around!

[ides]

Welcome. My Dh was non traditional too but we didn't have a child until the middle of residency. It will get tougher but you will survive. Glad you found us!

[MissCrabette]

Welcome! I thought 4th year was easier than 3rd because we were more used to the lifestyle, but it was also more stressful because of the Match. That may or may not be the case for you depending on what your husband wants to match into. Then there's intern year... Stick around.

[Cinderella]