Married with children in med school 

My advice to everyone who wants to get into med school but afraid failing the challenges of getting married and having huge responsibilities of becoming a father, husband, and med student!!! Do it and never look back because I am sure you will succeed once you believe and trust in God. He will support you along the way down to your "MD". The question is why am I telling this? What makes me sure of your success??? I've already done that. I got married and become a father while studying and still. I am a 4th year med student. At first, I was not sure whether I can handle all of that and get through all awaitd drawbacks. Untill that moment where doubts were rolling in my heart, " Do not fear poorness or dying of hunger while God is there. He takes care of birds in sky and whales in sea" I trusted God and I am so happy for doing that.

Your advice is mostly applicable to married men. I am a married woman who is a 6th-year MSTP student. My husband and I both do dishes, cook, laundry, study and I'm currently pregnant with our first baby. I think you have a pretty sweet deal if your wife is a stay at home mom. Our only advantage is that my husband works and I get stipends as an MSTP student so it's not tough financially.

This man has his priorities in check. What amazing work ethic. Respect.

You're married. Do you hear that? It's a collective sigh of disappointment from every female watching this video

I was almost in tears listening to you. I pray you succeed in everything. We need more Doctors like you=Who are Human Beings 1st, Family Oriented, Caring-Human, like my own GP. Well done dad. Well done husband. Well done Doctor. You'll sure become one of the Exceptional Doctors we need.

I am a Chiropractic student, your story sounds exactly like mine. I too am married and I also have kids! I have three. We also live off the loans, and this last trimester was brutal! It was hard on me and my wife and our family because i spend all day at school and all weekend in cadaver lab/library. I have no idea how I stumbled upon this video haha, I was youtube surfing and saw the title and clicked play, I think I was meant to see it however. Its a relief to know someone out their feels my pain because I am the only one in my class that lives the way I do. I completely agree about being married with kids makes you a better student because we don't do what single people do lol! I wanted to drop a comment and let you know I really appreciate this video. The priority point really touched my heart. I will be praying for you, good luck your going to be an awesome doctor! God Bless

You're giving out pearls here sir. Thank you so much for the insight!!!

Loved this video! I have been accepted to Univeristy of Missouri School of Medicine and will be attending fall 2017. I have a 4-month-old and have been married for a year and a half now. This really solidified that I am doing the right thing for me and for my family.

I was really scared because i wanted to get married to my childhood love, and also wanted to become a doctor. However, she couldn't, nor should i expect her to, wait until I'm finished med school before we get married. I was afraid of how i was going to juggle having a wife and kids and studying. I assumed that 100% of my focus was supposed to be geared towards my studies in order to get accepted into my specialty. Thankfully you've cleared my doubts. I now realize that it's actually easier when i have a wife to prepare my meals and keep me company, and kids to hug when I'm feeling stressed. I now am not worried about getting married while studying. Thank you.

Thank you for this. I was seriously stressing over this. My family and building a family means of everything to me! Knowing this is possible helps soo much.

God bless you soo much Dr. Thompson!!!! Very inspiring!!! I love that you take sunday off to go to church and spend time with family, as simple as that is, its so special and a Huge sacrifice. God bless you guys!!!

Big props to your wife. Being a married parent and going to college is difficult enough, but med school is even tougher. You and your wife should be commended for being willing to do this journey and make sacrifices to make sure the end goal is reached.

This is great, I want to have kids before a certain age ehm ehm but I think med school will slow me down. Its nice to hear that it's possible and I hope my future husband and I will find a way to get through the challenges, very inspiring.

Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this helped me to clear up my future and my path in the medical field. I'm so grateful! :) looking forward to many more videos!

How in the world did I end up on this video?!!!! lol. While I'm here though, I have a comment. I believe it is definitely VERY different if the student is male or female. I know a fellow male student who comes to school with his lunches all nice and packed by his lovely housewife. Me, on the other hand...though I also do not grocery shop too much, I have to (had to) do EVERYTHING else. Laundry, cooking and packing food for myself and my husband, cleaning. Prepare our son for school, etc etc etc. VERY different when the student is the mother. Thankful, its time for boards and I convinced my husband to take a vacation with our son outside of the country!!!! They are gone for a few months so I can just study. I'm so thankful for that. Them being here, and me being the mom....NOT THE SAME!!! We women can't and aren't really expected to be able to disconnect like that. But I'm so happy for you. Good luck!!!!

Great encouragement that it can be done. I'll be applying to medschool for 2015 but I wanted to hear that this could be done from someone who has gone thru it! Thanks and keep it up with the videos!

I like you :D! And I could tell there was something extra special about you! When you mentioned going to church with your family, I got super excited :) May Jesus continue to bless you and your fam throughout this whole process, and I hope you all continue to grow in knowing and loving Him in return. Very excited for you!!

Great video and thanks for giving your perspective! Starting MS1 in two weeks and I'm married but with no children so you are DEFINITELY an inspiration. Keep up the great work!

"Husband, father, and medical student." I will think of you everytime I want to complain. Thanks.

Thanks for sharing this with people. I have those very same questions as I'm also married with children. You made some great points and I thought this was an excellent video.

Thank you for this video. I am in the same boat right now. I literally just typed married with children in medical school and this came up. You have encouraged me a lot. I am blessed. I hope your life is going well as of now? I believe it is because of your trust in Jesus

Much respect; may you continually be guided in your quest to be a great doctor!

Very helpful video ! Wishing all the best to you and all your family :)

aw this is so good to hear, thanks for sharing

You are so motivational!!! Thank you!

Great video, great words of wisdom. Congratulations. I am thinking about going to Med school too and so is my wife. After watching your video, I can see that it is possible to do it. Thank you again. Hugo.

Your videos are very helpful and inspiring! Thank you. Wishing you great success! :)

This was superrr helpful and the first that talks on this topic. I think having a positive support system is key, and I TOTALLY agree with you that being a doctor is not worth sacrificing family. You're thoughts on your situation was very helpful as this will be my case.Thanks

Thank you so much for sharing! Its amazing how much us newbies can learn from med students how've been there and done that during the first year of med school. I myself am married and completely agree with you about having the biggest support from our loved ones at home. Thank you again!

My youngest (of 2) was born during my first unit exam. I took my Step 1 a few weeks ago (and survived!) and started clerkships this past week. It's nice to know others are in the same boat and making it!

Sir, I really respect you and respect the way you choose to live ur life.

You are amazing. Thanks for sharing this.

This video was great man. I am 28, have 3 little girls, and girlfriend. Girlfriend works full time, 2 girls in school and 1 goes to daycare every day while I go to school full time. Hearing the part about prioritizing family before school helped me a lot. I looked back and I do sometimes put school first and need to stop. Thanks for the advice!

Thankyou for sharing, so good to hear your experience (and not disimilar from my own), thankyou

This is awesome. I'll definitely be taking this advice as I enter into medical school. Thanks so much for sharing, and for being an example of the importance of families. #sharegoodness

I am a 1st year Medical Student with a wife and family so thank you very much for sharing! I feel like my family is helping me get through my first year.

Thank you so much. This is so meaningful.

Iam also in the same boat, am a husband, father, student, and work, I have 3 kids, now studying for CK-2... thank u for u taking u time and make the video.

I needed to see this. Thanks bro.

I can not thank you enough for your videos!

Loved your vlog. Yes I would love if you could interview a woman who is in medical school with children as well.

thanks for your videos, i really really appreciate your advice and that you take the time to make these. such valuable advice :)

thank you so much for this video! it's so scary to think about being married and being in school. i think you've shown it can be done

Spot on! As a MSIII, husband and father to a 2yr old and 9 month old twins I can reaffirm everything you said. If you keep your priorities straight, having a family in medical school makes it so much more enjoyable and rewarding (and sometimes more challenging too). Keep up the good work.

Agreed. Future Law student here. Great advice friend! keep up the great work! God bless!

Thanks my friends ❤

You are amazing. Thanks for the video

I'm thankful for your video, it gives me perspective on things. My ex boyfriend was in law school and one of the main issues was that there wasn't enough time and things didn't work out. But we didn't have children, and Med school is much harder than Law school. If there is a will there is a way, and you are a great example of that.

Great video, I'm thinking about going to med school, after years in the Army this is something I always wanted to do. Thank you for making these videos there great,; I have a family too, so seeing another family-man in med school, I know that I can do it.

you are an amazing person as a student, father and husband, your hard work will pay off in future, wish you all the best!

You won me over with this video. Subscribed!

Great video! I really thank you for posting it. I find that so many men re-organize that list... I know I'm a HS student, but I really really appreciate seeing a man like you balance all of that. :D

Thank you so much for this, my husband is applying for PA school and I am currently 14 weeks pregnant with our first baby. This gave me so much hope for our future and grounded my thoughts and fears when it comes to juggling a busy lifestyle that allows him time to do what he loves. Thank you!!

Thanks! You’re video was really helpful. Advice was great, but above all, it’s just great to see someone with a wife and kids surviving med school. I’m 27 and am considering the route, but I won’t be able to start med school until I’m 29-30 so I’m deciding between MD and PA because I want a family at the same time.

Thanks for introducing your family. I always enjoy your video's.

Thanks a lot for this video.

Thanks for a great video, man. Encouraging.

Fantastic Tips!

Thank you for such an insightful video on a topic that is not touched upon much! Starting and developing a family has been one of my top concerns in deciding to enter medical school. You give me confidence that I can maintain an ideal balance with both. At first, I was thinking "should I be opposed to his wife doing so much for the kids/household?" But I then realized that its really about teamwork between the husband and wife to commit to different responsibilities for the family to function--whether it is the husband or wife that is in or out of the household. Thanks again!

Man this is awesome! I hope to go to medical school one day and I have a wife and kids and this has encouraged me so much!! I may even get my wife to watch lol

This video was very inspiring so I watched it again with my wife, I am in a similar situation enrolled in a PhD program in physics having two kids with my helpful wife (I also do the dishes every night haha), I am also lds and similar in age (30). It was great to be able to relate and learn a lot from you. I know it wasn't an easy decision but you seem to manage it really well unlike myself. I felt your sincerity and you have my respect. keep up the good work =)

could you do a video on the required classes for medical school or at least where to find that information? you've been an incredible inspiration and I watch your videos all the time.

Im a married med student too with a 2 years old son. Thank you very much for your video.

Well said!

I had to tell you that I think that balancing your dreams as a health professional and a family is awesome and I hope to do the same! I am a high school student who is currently studying to be a medical assistant and a phlebotomist to pay for future costs of pre-med, but I really want to have a family and lots of people ask me how it's possible! Thank you for answering a lot of my questions and letting me know that it is!

wooooow. am humbled by this video. i have learnt alot wooow

Growing up I always wanted to be a doctor but family was very important to me and it still is. since 18 I have had doubts because I am finally understanding the pressure that I should expect and I really didn't know a way to balance med school and still have a wonderful family where I can be a big part of my children's life other than financially. this is causing some serious problem (academically) for my collage studies because I worry a lot about it and it lead to a burnout. Not knowing which way to go is hard and I am a person who does not like it when things are not under my control.this video is really motivation and I feel like there is a way. Also, you had 3 things: Father, Husband and Student. Fro me that would be 4: Father(God's will), Husband, Student and Christian. I am an Adventist so my church schedule is kind of different from those on Sundays. I now feel like I can do it though. Thank You Very Much. QUESTION: I realized that this video was posted in 2013 and you mentioned 2 years of medical school so am guessing you are either at final year or in residency. if you are in residency, isn't that the hard part(in terms of family time)? How do you deal with that?

it becomes problematic when your partner does not support you and does not help you accomplish professional or family goals, but instead you feel on your own, struggling with all of the stress by yourself and finally you realize that you have no money, no time and no friends anymore...and the only thing that keeps you going is the blessing of having a child... I am so happy to hear your story and how you and your wife manage life together. this is SO important and yet so underestimated by many people. thank you for this video. I wish you and your family all the very best. you guys rock ! :)

Hi. I just stumble upon your video today. Gladly, I saw this video. And guess what, you are definitely in the same condition as mine. Except we are in the different country. :) I'm married for almost 2 years, expecting to have a baby this month, all these years I was totally depending on student loan without any side business. So, I hope with all these test that had been put upon us will make us a tougher person and a better doctor. I wish you all the best. Thank you very much for sharing the information on managing life with 3 different roles. I will take it all and apply it according to my condition. Alexander, Med student Egypt.

Good videos man keep them up! I'm a medical student in the UK and it seems like you guys have it harder than us....then again our course is 5 years for undergrads

Hey man really enjoyed your video. i agree with you 100% its much easier to be in med school married than single. i was single the first 2 years and married the last 2 (no kids yet). DAY AND NIGHT difference. church is vital, date nights are vital, and studying is vital (my 3 keys).

I like the way you think dude. Stay upbeat brother

i always look forward to your videos!! also, you forgot to add awesome you tuber to your list! (; could you please do a video on how to ask a prof to do research in their lab? as a 1st semester sophomore in undergrad i don't quite know how to go about asking a prof i didn't have to work in their lab. or volunteer. it'd be much appreciated!

Wow you are incredibly inspiring. Amazing husband, father and medical student:)

you are very inspiring. The amount of time I waste, I am ashamed to think of when comparing to your situation! 2nd year undergrad student, who has food and grocery done for her as well on top of that!:P.

i totally agree with what you're doing, not that i can do it myself lol.. lucky you! you're able to manage your time and that's actually what i'm horrible at. may god bless you and your family:)

Great presentation. I am a single father who had completed medical school with great difficulty. I made many career tradeoffs, but the relationship with my son and God is solid. I was cajoled through training, and multiple times told I need to choose being either a physician or a father. I chose, the later, have paid the price, but know my son knows his father. Finding a residency is difficult, but chose to take my ogme-1 and run with it till my son is a bit older. FYI, if you are single have a good support network, I didn't, it will afford a better experience during school, and afford getting through residency. Good luck to all the single parents out there.

thank you. it's good to hear that medschoo+family is doable. i want to become a physiologist, but founding a family early on is also very important to me. although i will probably wait for the kids until residency or at least after the first two years haha.

Just wow. Really nice.

Hello "Student Doctor". Thank you for sharing your perspective on how you are balancing medical school and family life. I wanted to share with you another perspective of medical school but as a spouse. I believe you are doing wonderfully balancing your family life and medical school. The success also comes from the fact that your little ones are so young and that you are able to keep your wife at home to tend to them. During the first few years of a child's life the most important member of their family to them is their mother. According to the child, she provides all of his needs. It is not until the child begins to get older (I would think beginning at 5 years of age) that the father begins to play a larger role in the child's overall needs as he/she sees it. My opinion of this is based on the fact that during the time that my sons were the age of your children, they survived just fine the times that my husband was away serving in the military. Now that they are 9 years old, and their father is in his third year of medical school, their desire to spend with their father has increased exponentially. This has caused my husband to be in an emotional deficit with my sons, one that will take many outings and quality father/sons time in order to "make up" or to fill the gap. If you are advising families with older children, I think it is very important for the spouse that is staying at home to have a support system. Ideally, extended family members would be the best choice. However, if that is not available (as it is in our case since our extended family lives a 24-hour-car-trip away), then the father needs to provide a good friend that he feels confident will assist in filling in the gap for male attention for his children. I am so thankful my husband did this for me. This male friend of ours has already raised his children and has much wisdom in helping me with my sons when they need that extra nudge from a male influence. This has come in very handy also since my husband is often gone since he serves in the medical wing in the Air Guard. So, I guess my recommendation is that if you are going to consider medical school, try to accomplish it when your children are very young. Also, as much as possible, try to stay near family that can be the "village" for your family. Good luck with the rest of your studies. I admire your wife. Tell her to keep her chin up on those really difficult days with the little ones. Sometimes, she may need to put up her feet with a nice cup of tea and know that she will get another chance tomorrow to do it again. I have been home with my boys since they were born (they are homeschooled now) and know that there are many days that may feel like failures, but they are not. Let her know that when the day starts anew, that failed day does not count.

God is just going to continue to do so much in your life. I've been married nearly a year now and got pregnant immediately. I'm in law school and my husband works. This gives me confidence that I can finish my academic journey as I know med school (and residency) is much tougher and longer than law school. Congrats brother.

You and your family are an inspiration. I'm engaged and want to go to med school but i thought it would be impossible to have children whilst at med school. I guess not!

Excellent advice with one caveat-being involved (overly) in student activities isn't going to enhance your CV at this point in the game. I have spoke to many physicians who admit that it's actually deleterious to your residency and well being. The belief that more is better is slowly fading because schools are realizing that it promotes division and causes students to fabricate authentic experiences. What I was told by a residency advisor is that students should aim for 1-2 quality experiences throughout medical school.

"well I expect it now, obviously," Hahahahaha You are the man. KEEP IT UP

Thank you for this! I will be in your situation soon! Best wishes : )

I like your story I hope I will become a doctor or nursing one day right now I am taking care of my mother in law she has dementia she lost her memory .what you are doing is a gift from God just keep that in mind God bless you and your family 😊☺

any field one goes into should not take importance over God and family or it really wont work out. great video and definitely something to remember for my future as well. if an individual puts their trust in God and in family it will be the way its meant to be. good luck with everything!

you are wonderful man.

Thanks for the tips, StudentDoc, I have little over a year left of Pre-Med, and hope to start Medical School in 2015. My wife and I are expecting our first child this February, so your video certainly gives me a new surge of optimism (especially considering that I was pondering dropping out of school / changing to an easier career path). Have a good one!

First of all you are a GREAT MAN 👏.. thanks for your advice.

Thanks man I really appreciate it. Gonna like, comment & subscribe now :D

I though i was a hard worker. Yet you are a father, husband and are involved in 6 groups. Wow, that is amazing.

First of all, thank you so much for posting this and all your other videos! I am a thirty-two year old husband and father and I'm hoping to get into medical school this fall, so your videos are incredibly applicable to my situation. I was hoping you could provide a little more information on one thing you discussed though. Do the maximum federal subsidies depend on where you attend school or do all medical students max out at the same amount. I'm looking at a very expensive school and an averagely priced school and just wondering if I would have less money to live off of if I chose the more expensive school. Thank you in advance for your response! Best of luck!

i learned,i was ,i admit,not doing well,i will now,very inspirational

That was great. I am trying to figure out the same balance but I really like how you prioritize your family first, no matter what. I hope I find the balance before med school. I am pre-med (biology major) right now.

It is amazing that our thinking is similar

I hope you treat her well when you're done!

Could you by chance, do a videos on how you study, how you stay organized, how you applied for medical school and what/where you studied and went to undergraduate? You're a WHOLE ton of help!

I really needed to hear this Thank You! EVERYBODY SAYS ITS IMPOSSIBLE.... WELL, I'M LOOKING FOR POSSIBLE AND THAT STARTS WITH YOU, YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS, COWORKERS, YOUR FURRY FRIENDS, THE SUNRISE, COMMUNITY, THE WORLD, THE UNIVERSE

well said