Is It Worth Going Back to School as a Mom?

Many women are tempted by further education once they have had children. Either out of a desire to do something for themselves, or to work towards a better career, and so a better future for their children. However, most are put off by the idea of having to study while looking after young children. As both can be incredibly stressful and time consuming even on their own. However, furthering your education can be a wonderful thing, whether it’s to learn something totally new to take you down a new career path, or studying something like a nurse practitioner doctorate degree to help you progress in your current role. While it can be exceptionally challenging, it is almost certainly worth it, and not just financially. These tips should help you to manage both.

Study Online or Part-time

There are now more online courses available than ever before. You can even take doctorate level courses online, and ultimately get your doctoral degree in education, business administration, or a number of other subjects. With more universities than ever offering online courses, they have become much more respected by employers. Both online and part-time study give you the option to be more flexible, and plan your studies around your family.

Ask for Help

Help is going to be essential, whether this comes in the form of your husband or partner helping out more around the house, and being responsible for bedtime, or having a regular childcare arrangement in place so you have a day or two to focus on your work. Getting help is even more important if you will be studying a difficult course such as a nurse practitioner doctorate degree.

Take a Break

Remember to sometimes take a break from both. Get some me time, and relax and unwind away from your children, and your course. Taking a break and letting yourself de-stress will help you be both a better mother and student in the long term, so don’t feel guilty about it.

Look After Yourself

Making sure you stay fit and healthy, not to mention happy, will make it easier to manage to study alongside parenting. Try to get as much sleep as you can, eight hours a night where possible, but at least make sure you get enough rest and have the odd nap. Eat healthily, with plenty of energy boosting snacks as well as fresh fruit and vegetables, and drink eight glasses of water every day. Try to also fit in some exercise when you can.

Get the Kids Involved

Make it fun for the kids too. This will make your life a lot easier. To an extent, this will depend on how old they are. But if they are old enough to understand, explain to them that you are studying and need some quiet time. If they can read, write down some simple questions they can ask you. Even if you don’t actually need it, kids really like to help. If they are younger, get them a toy laptop, so they can sit and “type” along with mommy.

So yes, it is worth it if it’s what you want to do. Moms can do anything if they put their mind to it. However, it’s important to recognize that it is going to be difficult and that you will need to be organized.

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Girl on Fire

Photographer at Loudmouth Photography

Brandy is the wife to a carpenter/musician and the mother of 3 amazingly awesome homeschool/unschooled girls. Brandy is a Photographer as well as a Coach for the Weebellion as part of Rolling Rebellion Jr. Roller Derby. Brandy is passionate about many things and suffers from a very painful and degenerative neurological disease called CRPS/RSD.

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