just joined.. starting school in sept, after 13 years! YIKES!

Tasika - posted on 11/01/2010

Hello Desiree!
I would say that your best bet would be to try online schooling. When I began school just over two years ago I didn't know how I could handle it because for one it had been 11 years since I had graduated (I too graduated in 97) and at the time my girls were not old enough to be left alone. My husband is just like your husband very supportive and encouraging, but most of the time it is just the kids and I do to him holding a fulltime and partime job. I'm not complaining because he decided to work an extra job so that I wouldn't have to and I would be able to focus on my degree. So to make a long story short I had no choice but to choose online that way I could handle being a mother, wife, and student. Don't let online schooling scare you...I think that is the best option for parents who have smaller children and who cannot afford daycare. All of my classwork and housework is done while my husband is at work and my kids are in school. If I do not finish anything during the day it is put off until my kids are in the bed for the evening. So as far as going back to work if you are home you do not have to worry about daycare for you children. Continue to apply for all the scholarships that you can possibly apply for through scholarships.com or fastweb.com. Good luck and best wishes!

Christine - posted on 10/27/2010

GOOD LUCK, I ALSO WENT BACK TO SCHOOL AFTER....14 OR SO YRS. I WORK, HAVE 3 BOYS... PLANNING IS THE KEY. HAVE CLOTHES READY, MEALS PLANNED AND OH YEA, TRY TO FIND TIME TO SLEEP

Desiree - posted on 08/17/2010

Thanks everyone!
Things are starting to work out, and my stress level is finally going down! As things stand, I've been approved for one of two grants, so far. So that will help the financial burdon a LOT!! And my husband and I are working out how to re arrange our schedules so we dont have to use any more daycare then neccessary! Right now, we're hoping to only have to pay for a couple days a week! Which we can afford! Im very lucky tho, that I really like the lady who babysits my son! And he loves going to her home! My daughter will go to my MIL's house after school, so I wont have to worry about that.

Annekke - posted on 08/17/2010

Desiree, just like you I have decided to go back to school. In the area I live, my best opportunity is to be a teacher, and I found a school that has classes at night, one to two nights a week. I'm a stay-at-home mom and luckily, my husband's schedule will allow for me to go to school when he is not working. I agree with Becki--it can be done if you are ready to make the commitment and you have a supportive family backing your decision.

Becki - posted on 08/12/2010

i am in a simular situation to yours, i also graduated in 1997, my children are 12, 10 and 2 (with 2 step children ages 14 & 17 but they only reside with us on a limited basis) and am in my second quarter of classes, i am working towards an associates degree in paralegal studies. none of our three kids have ever seen the inside of a day care center (we do not believe in someone else raising our children plus its too expensive). for years my husband was a stay at home parent, with the addition of our last baby he went back to work. he works night and never works on the nights i have classes (currently mon and thurs nights, no online classes). him and i have very limited time together and it does take some work on our older children's part. my lunch breaks are spent doing homework, as well as the hour i have between work and classes. so far i have done well on not doing much homework at home, i try very hard to keep weekends family time. i can not lie it is a huge struggle! financially, emotionally and every other way you can think of. but we keep pluggin away at it with the hopes that in the end this will pay off, i am quite confident it will but do find myself questioning my choice and the effect it has on my family. if you have a strong enough will to improve your families life you CAN DO THIS! best of luck to you :)

Jane - posted on 08/11/2010

Yep, online vs hands-on clinical study does have it's limitations. Remember to do thorough background checks when choosing a daycare. Take care :)

Desiree - posted on 08/11/2010

Thanks Jane,
Unfortunatly I'll be a nursing student, so no chance of online classes for that. At least nothing that I'd be able to get an acutal job from.
But my husband and I are going to try to work around our schedules as much as possible.
Thanks for the advice.

Jane - posted on 08/11/2010

Hi Desiree,
I have three children (all 4 years a part), I am 47 years old, am in my Master's program in Psychology, and my children have never seen the inside of a daycare because I go to school online. I have my little guy all day but the other two go to school, so I try to get all my textbook reading done when they are in school, and I do all my writing once they are in bed for the night. This has worked well for me for the last five years. I hope this helps, be well, cheers!