(by guest blogger Vera Reed)
While many people try to squeeze in their college education
before becoming a parent, sometimes life doesn’t work that way. Some of us find ourselves swept up with
families before we’ve even had time to consider college. Other moms may decide to launch a new career,
or start a first one after having been a full time housewife. No matter what the reason, being a mother and
student at the same time is a subject in itself, so here’s a crash course in
the basics.
Many moms delude themselves into thinking they can be a model
mom and student at the same time. If
your kids are still young enough to need full supervision, this is a big
mistake. For moms with small children,
then, be sure to schedule regular study slots and pre-arrange a
babysitter. If you’re already paying for
school, additional child care might be a cost you’d rather avoid, so if it’s an
option, you can try and find family, friends or older children that will watch your
younger children while you’re still on site if needed.
2. Check in with your
employer
If you’re already working and are seeking a degree to boost
your salary, make sure that the accreditation you’re seeking meets the
company’s needs. Furthermore, they may
have recommended matches to suggest to you.
3. Set boundaries with
your family
Becoming a student means there will be a shift in your role and
in the household dynamic. Especially
with younger children, you may need to have a little powwow (or more) to make
it clear why you’re suddenly holed up in the den muttering over piles of
paper. As with any source of competitor
for attention, education may need to be explained to the little ones. Because you’ll need to convince them that
this foreign time-sucker is important, however, this can be a great opportunity
to start teaching your kids the importance of good schooling.
4. Get the kids involved
This option isn’t for everyone, but if the subject material is
appropriate and your kids are at the right age, you might want to somehow
involve them in your study sessions. Of
course, this shouldn’t take the place of full-on study, but sometimes teaching
things at the basic level can be the best way to learn.
5. Ask him for help.
If you’re taking the plunge to go back to school, you’ll need
the support of your partner. However, he
may forget that your place in the household is going to change. If your significant other is used to having
you take care of meals exclusively, for example, see if he’ll pitch in and free
time up for your studies.
6. Get outside support
You’ll need the support of your significant other and family,
but outside help is also needed and will prove very helpful. If you have a
friend who’s also taking the plunge and enrolling back in school, form study
groups or even just time to vent and unwind with someone who knows what you’re
going through. Seek the advice of friends and other students, and be sure to
also check out some of the great resources out there dedicated to inspire and
expand.
7. Consider online
courses
Online courses are on average faster and
cheaper, and offer more flexibility that brick-and-mortar institutions can’t
compare with. If you’re a full-time mom
with a limited support system, this might be a no-brainer. If you’re going back to school to increase
your earning power rather than catching up with a long-lost passion, online
opportunities present an additional allure for moms: you can get your accreditation more
quickly.
Even if you’re married to a more traditional program -- or your
field of study requires one -- look into your university’s online adjunct
offerings. You can still enjoy your
targeted courses in the flesh while getting general ed requirements out of the
way online.
No matter how much help, money, or foresight you have, just
know that your new double duty is going to take some adjusting: every family and every mom are
different.
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