We often think of school as something we complete before we have a family. But more and more often, we’re seeing husbands and wives decide to go back to school after they have one, two, or more children. They want to improve themselves or they are hoping to increase their eligibility for better employment. What are some of the things to consider when making this decision?
1. Can you afford tuition? There are many student loans and scholarships available, but what if you don’t receive a full ride, and what if the student loan payments are outside your budget? Sit down with your spouse and discuss this—is this a reasonable strain to put on your financial reserves?
2. What about childcare? Will your schedule be such that your spouse can watch the children while you’re at class, or will you need to get a sitter? Will that sitter be a relative or a professional, and what will the expenses be?
3. Will you find time to spend with each other, or will you be passing each other without quality interaction? Many times, the wife will head off to school as soon as the husband gets home from work, or vice versa, and they don’t see each other very often. How can you arrange your schedules so you still manage to have a healthy marriage?
4. Will the increase of income be worth what you’re putting into it? How will your wages change once your education kicks in?
It’s important to consider each of these factors when making your decision. Sometimes the benefits will far outweigh the inconvenience, but sometimes the trade isn’t worth it. If you can’t afford childcare, you might consider online courses and do your schooling from home. There are ways to make it work if going back to school is right for you. Whatever you decide, make that decision as a couple, and stay united through the process. That’s the trick right there, what makes some marriages last and some marriages fail—how united you stay in the midst of difficult decision-making.
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