Full time school. part time work and being a mother?!

Charminix - posted on 03/16/2013

I am doing that right now. I am a full time student, I work part time (close to full time hours), and raising my son. It may be overwhelming at times but it is possible to do.

Holly - posted on 03/16/2013

I'm a full time student and a tutor for the school I go to and have a two year old. So I understand your need. Have you thought about applying for a job on campus? They work with your class times and you would be off any time the school is closed.

Valerie - posted on 03/14/2013

I know this is an old post, but im glad i get to see those that are handling fulltime school, full/part time work and family and continue to make it out in one piece day by day. i'm currently in University Full time for my bachelors degree towards teaching, working at least 20hours a week, and i have a fiancé and a 3 yr old who constantly remind me that they require a part of my time too. It's hard. I'm in my 3rd year, and i feel like im at my breaking point. We live on our own, my fiance works full 5-6 days a week, and my son is usually in daycare throughout the week. Finding childcare, babysitters etc is not the problem. The amount of hours, minutes and seconds throughout each day is not enough for the time that is required from all my priorities. I have basically isolated myself from my friends which makes me feel even more unhappy with work and school and i've never felt so alone. Even with my fiance i feel so bad that sometimes im too tired to have alone time and especially bad that when i'm home i can feel when my son feels neglect because im doing homework all the time. Housewife duties have also come to a minimum as well. Theres just not enough time. I'm 21, and yes i know its my fault for having my son unplanned so young, but im working as hard as i can. i just wish i wasn't so unhappy, because i know that the way i feel is also taking a toll on all my priorities...the worst part is i have no one that is in the same situation as myself in the same area, and my current friends definitely don't understand the strain that my life is currently going through. I'm glad i can let it all out here. Thanks for those who actually read this. lol sometimes, just reminding myself that i'm almost done and that this situation isn't permanent helps me, but sometimes its not enough.

Carol - posted on 02/19/2013

I have a 7 month old son and 10 year old daughter. My fiancé goes to school full time and works 20 hrs per week. I also go to school full time and work 20 hrs a week and pick up serving jobs at banquets when possible. Until yesterday there was only one car for us to share. With my daughters activities, (catechism, band, chorus) my sons teething and rapid milestones (crawling, eating, talking) and a household to uphold, finances to manage and new material for us to learn and apply, things get so hard. It is heart wrenching to have to ignore my children while home for my studies and rush to get housework done and even to bump heads with my fiancé over who is going to watch the kids to give the other time and space to put our all into the work we have. Jobs are demanding yet necessary and then life throws all kinds of curveballs our way, often. Money is short, tempers are short and our IQs aren't above average so unfortunately our GPAs aren't what they should be. The kids are allowed at daycare part time but beside that we don't have any family here to help. Plus, bc we know marriage is important, I am also attending religion education classes to have my sacraments. at least two times a week im in tears bc im overwhelmed and my fiancé is showing physical changes and behavior because of stress. I do question weather I should be doing this right now or if its all too much, the truth is if I don't want my children to have to go through what we are now, then I must endure exhausting as it may be we try to keep positive and keep going. Running off of minimal sleep also effects us. We just see that doing this is our only chance to stop the cycle of struggle and poverty in our family. Your situation is probably different but heres how I truly see ours and if your blessed enough to wait on one or two of your endeavors to be w your children, do so. but if its necessary, what question is there than the choice to commit and sacrifice.

Kari - posted on 11/13/2012

Hi there! I think many things are possible if you really really make them a priority. I am a full-time nursing student (can't really BE part-time...), with classes, as well as 12-hour-day clinics, and I work 24 hours a week. I also have no husband, so that really makes things more difficult. However, I have a wonderful mother and an amazing boyfriend that help me out.It's tough, and sometimes I miss things, but it will be worth it in the long run :)

Nancy - posted on 11/07/2012

Hello there.. Not sure if this is too late, but I wanted to let you know that it's completely doable. Don't wait, just go for it and take it day by day. I work 24 hours on the weekends, go to nursing school full-time to be an RN and I am 15 weeks pregnant and have a 22 month old as well. I have the support of my husband which is wonderful. You just have to keep up with the time management and keep yourself motivated. It's worth it.

Sarah - posted on 10/29/2012

I am a single mom, part-time student (half time) and work part-time (30 hours/week). Every other Sunday my mom keeps my son while I'm at work,. but other than that, he with me or in daycare. If you can have a flexible or set schedule around your school schedule and childcare arrangements, it is doable. Don't get me wrong, it won't be easy. You may feel isolated at times and mentally exhausted, but it will all be worth it in the end. You, and eventually your kids, will be proud of you, and you'll hopefully be able to get a job in your field. Keep your head up. You can do it.

R - posted on 10/15/2012

Full time work, two kids, single mother looking for help in finding money out there to go to school part time to work towards my goal of being a nurse. I can't find anything out there. part time and no financial aid so its out of pocket. I cant do that. Can any help in finding money out there for part time school?

Ana - posted on 10/13/2012

I am a graduate student and am doing a full time internship and am raising two kids alone. I have no spouse or partner. I am struggling with making the demands of getting to my internship group supervision class and meeting deadlines for assignments yet I am doing the best I can. I had to stop working out as I get home very tired and dont even want to cook dinner. Would rather just have something quick and ready to eat.



I do have somewhat of special needs kids, but it is improving, One son with mental health that is so much better now and another child who will be needing surgery soon for cleft palate. He will be completed with his surgeries in about a month.



I love my studies and my field of work. I would have to say that in all the fields I have been in this is the most fulfilling. I try to look at the end result and stay focused on that. Eventually this chaos will all go away and I will be rewarded with a degree and work experience.Also the experience and building of tolerance that develops with this is also skill building.



Many people do not the luxury of being in a field they enjoy. I have been fortunate enough to have an opportunity to be in a field that is valuable to me. I believe that hard work pays off in many ways, the important thing to remember is the way you perceive your situation affects the way you experience it. So find the best in what you have and growth will always be evident.

Liza - posted on 10/10/2012

I go to school full time, work a full time, and am also a mother and a wife. I have no family here, so my only support is my husband who's work is very demanding of long hours and evenings. I am in grad school, and I have done well so far juggling all three.. my concern comes in now with my internship where I have to fit in 25 additional hours a week to my already chaotic schedule. Dont know how I am going to do it.. any one has any ideas or tips of how they have handled these type of situations with so little support?

Alexis - posted on 07/09/2012

Yes, I do it and have been doing it. I work full time, go to school full time (online) for my Masters, have an almost 3 yr old and I am 39 weeks pregnant. I got my Bachelors while going to ground school full time, working full time and had my first child during that time. You will be tired but if you have the motivation you will do it. I also noticed a huge 180 in my life, income and time once I got my Bachelors degree and could get a better job. This has made life much easier and why I keep moving forward in school. YOU CAN DO IT!!

Shalisa - posted on 07/08/2012

Yes. I go to school full time and work part time while being a single mommy to two girls. What has worked for me has been working on the weekends, and saving the week days for school. I also have to do an internship, so I will be doing that during the week days while my girls are in school/ aftercare.

Angela - posted on 05/17/2011

I work about 30 hrs a week and go to school full time. My daughter is 5 and very active. I found a way to make a little extra cash so if I need to not work a few hrs one day I can. Go to www.varolo.com/village/angelam86 it's free I PROMISE. I make about $150 extra a wk. It doesn't make me rich but it really helps with food, gas, child care, and so on. If you have any questions msg me here or on fb. I'll be happy to help bc I understand the stresses we all go threw as student moms

Wendy - posted on 05/02/2011

I have done all three before, but I was so tired all the time, I felt like I wasnt being a very good momma. So I started to do full time school with part time work, and it hasnt been as bad. I may be going back to work full time because my mother lives with me now, and she will watch kids whilest I bring home the bacon! So if you want to try and be supermom, just make sure you are getting enough sleep, thats the biggest thing to worry about!

Stephanie - posted on 04/27/2011

I'm about to be a mom (first one). I work part time MWF and I'll be in school full time T/Th with one class for an hour on Wednesday. I will have the weekend and all mornings off except monday to study/spend time with my newborn/do housework/etc. Obviously I've never been in this situation before, but I will see how it works out. I do have great support from my husband, though, and we have decided that if it's all too much for us to handle that I'll stop working and focus on school and our family first. I got REALLY lucky with my job, too. They are so understanding and actually encourage school work during downtime, which is pretty much 3/4 of the time I'm at work. Plus, I know with them that if I need to take time off for the baby or school or whatever that all I have to do is ask and they won't hold it against me. I hope that you can find an employer who is just as understanding and flexible to your schedule. Good luck!!

Andria - posted on 02/10/2011

I am a mother of three and I work part-time and school full time....it is difficult to balance all three w/o support. I've read all the posts and what I've noticed is that everyone is different and you have to do what works for you. I experienced being a single mother, working full-time and going to school full time and it worked...what helped me then was the fact that I had a great support system. Now I am a mother of three, a wife, caretaker (Parent), P/T worker, with no support and it is a challenge to balance my schedule...it's like being a "Jack of all Trades and master of none" Look at your entire situation and figure out the best outcome.

Alexis - posted on 12/03/2010

Yes, I worked full time, went to school full time and was a mom. It is possible. You need to really work on time management to accomplish everything but you can do it. I had my mother in law to watch my son in the afternoons and childcare during the day.

Brittany - posted on 12/02/2010

Unless you are parenting on your own, or your partner isn't working, I would continue to stay at the part time job. I am a mother of 5, working parttime, and going to school full time just like you. Luckily I have a husband that works full time so he is bringing home most of the bacon. My advice to you is that you need to evaluate your home and income situation and then base your decisions on that. Going to school and being an effective mother has it's ups and downs. Sometimes I can't be with my children b/c I have to study or work on an exam. Let me know what you decide. I would like to help.

Jennifer - posted on 10/22/2010

hi im in the same situation, i tried juggling all 3 and gotta tell you, i couldnt keep up, so now im waiting til i finish my studies before i get a full-time job, my daughter starts school mid next year so thats going to make it easier for me, let me know how you go

Mechelle - posted on 10/21/2010

I have beenin schoolfor the past 6 years. The last 5 years I juggled work, school and both kids, Its a challenge but the end result is most worth it.

Kellie - posted on 10/19/2010

It is very tough but it can be done. I am a fulltime mother of 4 ages 12, 10, 6, and 3, I also go to school fulltime and work fulltime. With the right support system it is possible. I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and extended family. Because if I didn't work we wouldn't be able to make it, but my husband, myself and my extended family know that it we all be worth it when, I get my masters in psychology and start doing what I really want to do. Time mangement is the biggest thing because you need to make time for the kids, and other family, yourself, school work and your outside job.

Lisa - posted on 10/17/2010

I work full time plus some (usually 50 hours), taking 18 units in school, raising a 21 month old all by myself AND I am 6 1/2 months pregnant with my second. And although it may sound like a lot that I am doing, it's really not. It's all about balancing your time and sticking to a schedule. Once you got that down, anything is possible! I include my son in my studies. Since I am studying criminal justice this go round, we play cops and robbers (or bad guys) with his vehicles and through playing it gives me scenerios of what could possibly happen. And he loves it cause he gets to spend time with his Mama.

Lisa - posted on 10/13/2010

oh my .. i am a full time student.. i have a 5yr old daughter... and a 2yr old son... I work about 25 hours a week too.. I dont get help from their father with anything. I am blessed with a mother and father (split too) that help me in any way possible. they keep my kids while i work and go to school. I feel bad b/c i cant give them as much time as im used to giving but i know in the end we (my kids and I) will be living a better life. Im doing what i have to do and i say if you have a supportive family let them help while you finish your education. working is my time to relax from my kids and school.. i wouldnt give it up for anything!!!

Jennifer - posted on 10/02/2010

I'm a single mom, in class 20 hours a week, and at work 36 hours a week. It's really really hard, I'm not going to lie. Everyone keeps saying it's possible "with support", but it's my opinion that even without support it's possible with serious motivation, time management, and EXCELLENT organization. Just be prepared to run on very little sleep. If you can handle that, and it's worth it, you can do it.



If you can get the support, though, take every ounce of help you can get.

Laura - posted on 09/30/2010

I don't think it's unreasonable for you to work full time if you need the money if you have a lot of support from family and friends. I personally have enough support that I could work full time if I wanted to but for the time being we don't need the money to pay the bills so why bother. I have worked full time during school right after my son was born and it was a challenge but with support you can make it through!

Brittany - posted on 09/30/2010

i see alot of you doing this part time thing. do you think it will be too much to be a single mom full time employee and student? i have an interview tomorrow for a full time position and am thinking that it may be too much for me but i do need the money.i havent thought everything through yet but i am hoping that it will work out.

Dayna - posted on 09/28/2010

It is possible with the proper support. I have a seven month old son, I attent a university full time, And I have two part time jobs. I feel like super mom. But I do have help from my mom and Troy's father. They watch him while I work and go to school. I really do feel like this is getting in the way of my son and my time together. I think that if you do not need to do it, then don't. The time is more valuable. BUT IT IS POSSIBLE!

Laura - posted on 09/27/2010

It is reasonable to juggle all three. Right now I have a 2 year old and have been a full time student since he was six weeks old in addition to working about 24 hours per week. It can be exhausting at times especially when you have a lot going on in one week but the idea that I'm now almost done with my bachelor's has made it all worth it.

Katie - posted on 09/26/2010

I do it and its not easy but i have to!! my son has just started school.. im in school for nursing and i work.. but you can do it dont let anything make u think different..you just have to put your all into it!!

Evelyn - posted on 09/24/2010

I go to online college for 30 hrs a week, part time work 24 hrs of the week, and take care of 2 kids. I have a 2yr old and a 9 month old, so their very demanding of my attention. Its hard and tiring but def. can be done. If you have support the more the better. I'm engaged and my fiance works and wants to start college soon but we help each other which makes everything easier!

Becky - posted on 09/24/2010

I work 40 - 50 hours a week - I have 2 classes running at a given time, but a total of 9 credits per semester (sometimes 12). It's no simple task . . . my weekends are homework! but I get it all done somehow & I just keep looking forward because it will be just another year before I graduate with my associates degree . . . who knows then, but at least I'll have gotten that far!

Jennifer - posted on 09/20/2010

I work full time (40 hours a week), go to school part time (6 hours of class a week), a part time internship (9 hours a week), and I'm a full time mom. It is alot, but it is do-able. You need some really good support in your life to do it though. I don't know if I could do it without my husband and my mom. But with them, it is reasonable to juggle all 3. You have to learn to maximize the time you do have with your kids, to ask for help when you need it, and to let some things go. I would assume you are going to school to ultimately better both your life and your son's, so you just have to set your mind to doing it. I wish not working was an option and I could finish school much faster. Unfortunately, we wouldn't be able to make it without my income. Good luck!