As I said in I’m Not Sorry, I’m Thankful I went back to school shortly after I became a single parent. I honestly don’t think I would have if I had not become one, and when I did, I wished that I would have done it prior to becoming one. Partly because I love learning so I would have liked to spend more time in school. Mostly because going to school and being a single parent is one of the hardest things to do. Now I’m sure if Jonathan were older or if I didn’t homeschool it may be easier, but it still wouldn’t be easy.
There is a lot to think about when you add college to the mix of being a single parent. Some things off the top of my head include; your child care, having to get more hours, the location of it compared to your school, figuring out how much you’ll actually need due to study time if you need it for that and any extra time for any internships or special projects; your schedule you have to try to get your classes clumped together to cut down on child care hours, you have to try to get them scheduled around work, you have to make sure you have enough time to get to your classes or work; your finances you have to worry about the cost of tuition, books, and supplies, the cost of the extra daycare you’ll need, the cost of the extra gas to get to and from school.
I am not listing all of these things to scare someone out of going back to school after having their child. On the contrary, I am listing them because to go back to school and actually make it through, you have to be aware of these things, prepared to deal with them, and willing to make some sacrifices along the way. I went back to school because I know that I can give my son a better life if I do so, and giving my son the best life possible is my goal.
Are you thinking about going back to school? What’s hold you back? What are your worries? Let me know, and I will cover them in another blog.
Single Moms Going Back to School – Part One
Single Moms Going Back to School – Part Two
Single Moms Going Back to School – Part Three
Single Moms Going Back to School – Part Four