How hard is it to finish school and have a baby at the same time?

Natasha - posted on 08/11/2011

I started school shortly after having my daughter, she is now almost 9 months old. It is not easy going to college full time with her. But I do it because she deserves everything that I can give her! When you start college or even finishing highschool, make sure you give yourself enough time to get your homework done. Definitely put your daughter first though. And when you do start college, do not take to many classes. You want to see how a couple classes are and then do more. I started out with threee classes and then went to two during the summer and now I am taking four starting the 22nd of this month. =) It's tough, but keep in mind your doing this for you and your daughter. She deserves it and so do you! =)

Brittany - posted on 03/12/2010

I just turned 18 and my son is 6 1/2 months old. I am still going to high school and my mom and my son's father watch him during the day. The hardest thing I've encountered is the lack of time I get to spend with my son. I'm planning on college in the fall and although on a day to day basis it's hard I get through it because I know this is the best thing I can do to improve my and my son's lives.

Ashley - posted on 03/11/2010

Hi Alisa, i'm 19 and i have a 9 month old son. I've been in college since i found out i was pregnant, and since i've had him. I'm still in school and it does get easier. I had to rely on other people to watch my son while i went to school but this semester i scheduled my classes so i only went on two of the days of the week so that i could attend school and put him into daycare. It's alot easier once your in college because you don' t have to goto school all day. Also in college you can take online classes.

Robyn - posted on 03/04/2010

I get pregant when I was freshman in coege. Had to drop out cause it was hard to take care if my little one and school work. But when she goes to preschool Im going back to school.

Adrianna - posted on 03/04/2010

I am in the same boat. I have a 17 month old daughter and I am a senior in high school ! It really is not easy at all but then again i wouldnt want anyone to think that it is ? But plenty of people get it done so i know i can be one of then as well as you :) & the college thing scares me too. But i it is possible :) Just gotta hang in there and keep it in our heads that it is whats best for our child in the long run !

Taylor - posted on 03/04/2010

Im a college freshman at purdue right now and my son is two. and its very hard. and it does not get easier. im going to school on campus which gives me very little time with my son, along with homework. its horrible, im getting good grades but im pulling all nighters at least 3 days a week. but if your determinated you can do it, GOOD LUCK!

Trenesha - posted on 03/03/2010

your really need a good family support systems. helps out alot...i went to highschool while takin care of a baby but i went to school 3hrz a day from 7-10am..it was finna easy cause we did all our work no computers and had no homework,,,, i got my diploma monthz before my class...i worked hard and took care of what i had to for my son...cause now everything is for him...i think it get a lil easy u be so tried...i think my body den got use to it now......when its time for look into daycare at the college

Brittany - posted on 03/01/2010

I am in my second year of college my daughter was 3 months when I started. Just be sure to take all the help you can get. There is a girl in my class who had a baby when she was 14 and still manage to put herself thru high school and now the nursing program.

Tasha - posted on 02/25/2010

I had my daughter when i was a junior in high school and luckily my mom was home so she would watch her during the day while i was at school and i just did my homework when i could.I actually did better with my grades when i was pregnant and even after i had her then before i was pregnant !! lol I graduated with my class in 09 and i'm just trying to find a job now. College is going to have to wait for me. I'm not ready yet.

Ashae - posted on 02/25/2010

Hi, Im a stay at home mom and I go to school on line and I totally understand where you are coming from. I think that realistically that going to school online and through home school is easier than going on campus but it presents alot of other issues like a social life. but in the end you have to do the easier way to get farther. Online college is way better than campus when you have a baby. I have done 3 terms with an average of 3.5. I take care of my daughter fulltime with lil help so having a week to finish assignments is better. its times i have to stop to tend to her and it doesnt affect my work. but is something to really think about because now and days you need that degree just look for the fastest and sometimes the easier way to care for you and your baby

Haley - posted on 02/25/2010

I have two boys one is 2 the other is two months. I had one semester of high school to finish after my first was born and I have completed 5 semesters full time of college coursework I am taking this semester off bc my 2nd son was born. The only way I have been able to do this is with support from ym family. I live with my 2 boys and my husband their father and he has taken the main financial responsibillity and I fil the gaps with student loans and grant money. My aunt and mother in law have been sharing the responsibillity of childcare since my first son was born. I know that I would be in trouble if it wasnt for them BUT I also know that it is possible to do it without as much support bc my mother did it. Your life will be very hard that way but it is possible and it is worth it.

Elizabeth - posted on 02/25/2010

I finished high school even after having my daughter. It wasn't much harder than befor to me. I am currently a full time college student. I made the deans list lat semester. The key is to use your time wisely. If the baby is sleeping you should use it to do school work. Another good time to do work is after you put the baby down for the night and wake up a little before they get up in the morning. :)

Sierra - posted on 02/25/2010

For me it is not how hard it is but how much you will miss.... no mom want to miss there babys 1 word or step or any thing you want to see every thing an if you dont it just makes you feel like crap :C I worke about 22 hr a week an if i add college in with that i will miss every thing..... If you dont have to work then you should be good i plan one quiting when my BF get out of college an can support us :D He only has 6 months left :D

Marie - posted on 02/25/2010

i had my baby my senior year and had to go back to make up for 11th grade credit and now is struggling through online school. I'm only struggling because i have no help at all no family friends or the father. but i believe if u put your mind to it you can complete. put your child in daycare and do what you have to do. i don't know about college because I'm not there yet but i know u can do it.

Maci - posted on 02/25/2010

Hi, Alisa. I also home school. I did the second half of my sophomore year up until now(Grade 12) at home with my son.. After awhile it does get a little easier, you learn a routine that fits your schedule and you learn to do what needs to be done before she gets up, after she goes to bed or while she's napping. My son has finally learned to entertain himself(at 14 months) while I'm doing my school work. He understand if I have a book it isn't time to crawl all over me it's time to play by his self. Good luck, Alisa!

Genevieve - posted on 02/25/2010

I finished getting my diploma when I was pregnant with my son, and now he is 14 months and I'm 23 weeks with baby two. I plan on going to college this fall to be a dental assistant while working full time. I know its going to be hard but part of being a mother is learning how to juggle. If you need to take a couple nights to catch up on homework, pass the baby to a friend or relative for a few hours. Do homework while the baby is napping or set her up with something to entertain her for a little bit. All babies have to learn eventually that they can't be held all day, my son learned. He's really independent now and I can set him up with an activity while I pay bills or do chores or make dinner. It's just all part of being mom, you have to learn how to be superwoman plus some, cause you know dad's not going to do it cause he's in the bedroom playing on the computer or xbox. lol. I wish you luck, we all need some...I know I will in June. :)

Ashleigh - posted on 02/25/2010

I have a 2 year old and have been doing school since he was about 6 months old. online school of course. I also work a full time job along with it as well. I tried to do most of my school while he was sleeping and i did some while he was awake sitting at my feet. My mom was also a huge help when she would get home from work as well.

I plan on going to school strictly for a vet tech, as soon as my GED is done in about 4 months. I hope its not hard since it's a harder course.

Janae' - posted on 02/25/2010

schooling nd having a baby will never be easy. it wont always be as hard but there will always be challenges. juggling, school, work nd quality time with my daughter is a hassle, but it HAS to be done. make sure yur daughter is on a schedule as she gets older. as far as going to bed...napping...eating etc...so yu'll know EXACTLY when yu have time for hw.....cleaning nd everything else. its tiring i KNOW. i was in HIGH SCHOOL when i had my daughter. but i still made it. w/ the support of my mother.!

Dev - posted on 02/25/2010

Its not hard..but on the same note it isnt easy..I have a part time job, a 2 year old, and I am a full time student at a University. Theres days when it gets a little tough, but I want my daughter to gey and have whatever she wants in life. She will never know I struggeled..thats my promise to her

Katey - posted on 02/25/2010

I have a 2 year old, and sometimes i dont even get to look at my homework. i am also home schooling and i plan to go to college but its one thing at a time. just get your high school diploma and then go from there, dont rush anything. so i'de say it does get a little easier when she naps i can get a little bit done and after she goes to bed at night. and if you have a good supportive family you can ask them to help out with the baby while you try to get some work done?
hope this helped a little. Good Luck!

Jessica - posted on 02/25/2010

I am in college with a three month old baby. I will not lie, its hard and will only get harder once they get older. my college states that we can bring our children in but if they fuss you must leave the room and calm them. that is hard for me because I am majoring in sign language interpretation so when i leave i don't learn important signs. My suggestion is to take online classes I have one and it makes it a little bit easier on me. Hope this helps.

Melanie - posted on 02/24/2010

i went to college for 4 years. My first two years I had two children in several activities and lived in my van. Then my third year into college, I got married, and lost a chld. My senior yr in college, I got pregnant again and had a tough time of it, but made it! lots and lots of late sleepless nights, but more confidence and will power will come from your achievement!.

Heather - posted on 02/24/2010

Hey. My name is Heather. I had my child when i was 15. I was in thenth or evelenth grade. I was tutored for about a month after i had my son then i started going back to school. Its a very hard thing to do. Very hard. But if you stick to it, you can do it. I graduated at the age of 17 like i was suppose to and had my two year old son give me my flowers as everyone starred at me. Im not sure if its hard to do bc of what people think of you or because having a baby and going to school are two very hard things to do. After high school i went straight to college, a community college so i could stay with my son. It doesnt get much easier, infact i'd have to say it gets harder. In college you have a lot more work to do than you do in high school, and with my three year old its about impossible to get anything done with him. He does well when you can keep him occupied and multi-task, but he gets bored very easily. Its a hard ting to do dear, but it is possible, and i give you all the more power to finish high school and go onto college, it'll better your life and your childs life!! Keep going kiddo, you can do it!!

Jay - posted on 02/24/2010

I missed out on my hs diploma because i got pregnant and couldnt make it to school because of some complications. I had my son at 18 and misses .5 credits to graduate. I am at a tech school now working for my diploma, and its not the easiest thing in the world. You learn how to manage your time. If you have family support, and ppl that are willing to help you with the kids, it will make things a lot easier. Good Luck!

Shavaune - posted on 02/24/2010

I had a baby in my senior year and it sucked! No it's not easy but it does get a little easier as they become more "self entertaining" However they do get into alot of things and you end up chasing them more. I would look into colleges with daycares and MAKE SURE you check out their waiting lists before you go. I found out that my college had a 2 year waiting list for their daycare after I was accepted and decided to go and was left scrambling for another daycare center. College is hard but it is worth it. You have to manage your time wisely! I remember my proff telling us in our first year that for every 1 hour of class time you should be spending 3 hours doing homework and studying so make sure you don't bite off more than you can chew so to speak. But honestly the time flies by so fast it is over before you know it and it is so worth it so keep going to school! Good luck:)

Sarah - posted on 02/24/2010

I had my son inbetween my 1st and 2nd semster of my last year of college. My last year was my easiest year as far as work load. I had my internship, which was like having a job. I did 40 hours for "work" (because it was an internship you don't get paid). Then 1 day a week I had classes that full day. In my classes there was minimal homework, though had to have a BIG paper due at the end of the semster for EACH class. I did not work outside of my internship, so whatever money was there was from my husband. This was VERY hard for me. I was lucky if I got 3 hrs of sleep at night and then could not sleep at all during the day. There were many nights that I did not get any sleep. I really feel like I missed out on my son during those 3 months I was in school. I would want to play with him when I was home, but needed to get homework done. I am sure much of how you feel right now. I was determinded to finish school, so I would keep going but I often say that if I had to go longer than what I did I don't think I would have made it. I found college to be more demanding of my time than high school was. My homework for high school did not take long to do. I could finish it in about an hour and some days I could get it all done at school. In college each class had an average of about 3 hours of homework each time the class met. I am glad I finished college and got my degree. I would not change that at all, but it truely was the hardest thing I have ever done. If you have family support, use them!! What may also help is not taking a full load for college. It will take you longer to finish, but it will allow you to breath a little.

Amber - posted on 02/24/2010

I finished high school through a school where i went once a week and did ALOT of work throughout the week, it was kinda hard but it is definately do-able. I am now in college taking online classes and it is going fine, very easy actually. (university of phoenix axia) yeah its expensive but thats what it takes :) if i had to do it again i would definately go to this school again.

Natasha - posted on 02/24/2010

to be honest my baby is 100 months old and i just started goin back to school, it is really hard physically and emotionally. my son and i used to be together 247 so its tough leaving him then coming home to do hmw, luckily i have support from his father, his fathers parents and mine, so its a huge help. its going to be tough but if ur determined , you can do it

Ashley - posted on 02/24/2010

Depending on how old your child is when you start taking classes. Some collages have on campus day care and it really takes a load off, you can even get a grant from the school to pay for the daycare most times. Dont let people discourage you, take a light class load at first maybe one online and one on campus, ya know just until you and your little girl fall in the swing of things, then think about adding to the class load when you become more comfortable. I am not saying it is easy by any means but it is worth it!
The first time I tried my daughter was really young (10 months) and I over loaded myself on classes, causing me to break down and drop out. But then I waited a year and went slow with it, might have taken me longer but now I am 24 and have my BA in Visual Arts.
I am married and a stay at home mom and I love it but it really does wonders for my self esteem knowing that if I didn't want to stay at home that I have that option!

Amanda - posted on 02/24/2010

I tried going to college with a new baby and only made it a year. I had to drop alot of classes because college takes up most of your time and as you now know, so do babies. I figure I can enroll in school later. But, for now I am focusing on taking care of my babies. If you have alot of help and support then you should do great! Best of luck to you!