Wanting to Go Back 2 School

Dear P., Mom's need to do things for themselves. I remember as a kid, we got one activity per season, end of story. It gave us time to participate in an activity, but also down time too. Time for imagination and creativity, time to relax. It's not just good for you to do things for yourself, it's good for your kids as well.

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P., I am a 55 year old grandmother raising an 11 year old grandson. I am also the mother of 6. While your children are precious and certainly come first, your education is going to enable you to provide even a better life and most importantly you. I understand that you do not want to curtail their activities. are you active in your church Check with your fellow members to swee if someone could take your girls to their activities. Also, check with your employer about tuition assistance and if you could possibly go to Saturday college. I know most CNA's have to work every other weekend (my husband is one), but your employer may be able to work out something with you. If your employer does not havee any assitance available - check with other nursing homes - I know Germantown Home has a great LPN/RN program while you continue to work. Let me know how it turns out - Good Luck and God Bless. Debbie

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I have gone back to school myself, though I am not a single mom so I have the help of my husband.

Anyway, Can you find a work program where you work weekends only? I have a friend who is a CNA and works 2 -12 hour shifts between Friday 3pm and Monday 7am each weekend and gets paid for fulltime and benefits. Then she goes to school during the week. Have you considered changing your living arrangements and finding another single mom to pair up with while you both go to school and help each other out, maybe you could cut expenses enough to only work part time, or only go to school parttime. OR, if you own your home and have some equity in it, taking a home loan for a year or two, to cover all your expenses and only work part time while you go to school, and hire a mother's helper to help you out.

OR: the first thought that crossed my mind was why bother with LPN school if you want to be a mid-wife? Go get trained as a certified Doula and then ease into that work while you get your RN to become a midwife.

Good luck with your career, you will be an inspiration to your kids!

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Is the problem getting her there? If it is, I suggest finding a friend or two in the class that lives close that she could ride with. If you can take them to class one or two of the days and they can take her the days you need. I did that when I was going to dance class multiple times a week. The other parents enjoyed the time off from driving and it made it convenient for my parents. Good Luck!

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Hi P.,

First let me say that is wonderful to see someone else who knows that their is a greater power out there other then us. Second I commend you for wanting to go back to school and wanting to make a better life for you and your children.

With that said, I ageree with those who state to see if you can get into some online classes. I am not sure how easy that would be due to the profession you are in, but it is worth a shot. There are many schools today that are offering online. Also, see if you can find some schools that will allow you to cram some classes in on the weekend. That is how the semester is done, I think it is 6-8 weeks of all day sessions on Sat. & Sun. Not sure how that will effect your church services. If you went to night school would you be able to go on the nights she doesn't go to dance. Do you have someone around that might be able to help you out while you are attending school at night.

I pray that God will work it out for you to go back to school. I know what it feels like to want to do something and not be able to see a way of being able to do it. I just recently went back to school myself. I am doing my classes online. I am a mother of 2 beautiful little girls 21 mos and 6 mos. I am married, but he works two jobs (which makes me feel like a single mom). We do what we need to do to provide for our families and he knows that once I finish I will be able to get a better job, and he can stop working 2.

Keep the faith and God will show you a way.

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hi P.,
i am 32 also, have 3 sons, and am married. i went back to school in may for medical transcription. i went thru a school that i can do all work at home and on line. my friend is doing classes on line because she wants to be a RN. she works full time with 2 kids and a hubby. because of my work schedule, hubbys work schedule and sons involvement with sports, that was the only way i could go to school. try looking for a school that can offer on line at home classes or a class on saturdays. good luck.

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I would check programs that allow you to work at home. Often nursing homes are affiliated with the local hospitals, see what programs they offer for continuing education. I know the hospital I work for has on-sight help for continuing education and often have guests come with information. With nursing, experience counts for credits I think. I would look for resources in your area. With your daughter, maybe carpooling with another family would lighten your load of so many days a week...just a thought

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HI P.,
I attend school online. it is an easier way to get some credits. If you are in the medical field, you will eventually have to go to a classroom, but if you seek out an ACCREDITED school (PLEASE make sure that it is accredited in the field you want to work, or your credits will mean nothing). I am majoring in Digital communications with a minor in computer science, and my husband is earning his master's in computer science at Franklin University. Many schools now offer courses online and financial aid is accepted for these courses (I'm in Beaver County, and our community college and Penn state both offer courses online). My suggestion is to seek out an accredited school that offers online courses and speak with a student services rep to see if you can earn some of your credits through their online program. many online programs work the same as a classroom program where you still have deadlines and tests. My husband takes his tests at work on his lunch breaks. Some of our classes require live action like conference calls or chat rooms, but the sign up times are flexible. This work-up allows us to be at home with each other while still accomplishing other goals. With you being a single mom of daughters, it may even be in your benefit. Your children could actually see you working and how hard you do it. This ambition could rub off on them.
Good luck!

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Hi P.,

I know how it feels to be conflicted with school, work, home and kids. I have a 10 year old about to turn 11 on Friday. I had to juggle that with her while maintaining Mommy time with her. I went to school part time while working full time. I completed an associates then this past May graduated with my bachelors. It took me a while but it was the best course for me without losing time with her. Going back to school will require sacrifice and lots of juggling. I would find schools that offer online courses or even weekend classes. I would see which would allow the most flexibility without having to sacrifice dance for your daughter. There are lots of schools out there they are catering more to people with families and jobs. Look at Sojourner-Douglass, Phoenix and some of the local community colleges. I hope this helps.

R.

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Hi P.,
Speaking as a mother who is in school full-time, it's tough but well worth it!!! Is there anyone you can get to take them to dance? When I was young, I took 8 dance classes a week. Needless to say, with my mom and dad's work schedule, it wasn't easy. They were able to pay someone (a neighbor) to take me to dance. Maybe that is an option for you too. Good luck.

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Hi I too have 2 children my oldest is 7(boy) and I have a 6 month old (girl). I'll be returing to school in Spring. Alot Colleges and Universites have online classes that are designed for the working mom! I'd also like to add how delightdul it is to meet someone who knows that we do serve a true and living savior!!!! Be blessed!!!!

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You need to go back to school. It will be good for your daughter to see you studying, and you will increase your earning power. This will be good for your daughter too. Maybe a classmate's parent can take her to dance class. But no way should you turn down an educational opportunity that will increase your earning power so your daughter can go to dance class five times a week.

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P. you can take online classes at night or you can take classes on the weekends my husband is going back to college to finish his degree and he takes one class on saturday morning, He also takes 2 classes on line it takes him away a little but he is still home while on line. As for the one women who said that the father needs to be around doesnt know your situation and should not be so rude or blunt. You can also look into a college beginer dance class around the time of your class for your daughter. My mother went back to school when i was about 15 and i took a pottery class while she went to bussiness classes. She might really enjoy her self. I hope this helps.

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P.,
are you friends with any other moms whos daughters are in dance? maybe you could make a schedule to take the girls on a specific night and have the other mom do the same. leaving you a free night or 2 to take classes. talk to your daughter, let her know the situation and that you love that she is really into dance, but adding 2 nights is way to much for you to handle. maybe you could agree on just one night for now till you schedule can handle more. good luck
kris

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If you have the self motivation you can always take those courses online. I just started back to school last year but I work part time and go to school part time. I am going for my RN at Shepherd University.

Remember that you are not just a mom, but also god's special creation. You should be all that you can be and help the most people you can.

it may be a good lesson for your children that education is worth sacrificing for.

when your daughter graduates from college, will she be more proud that her mother is an LPN or RN, or that she took a little more dance classes and kept her mom from her education?