If you are a working mom or simply want to further your career, it is essential to keep your skills fresh at all times. Education comes with a lot of exciting opportunities that will enable you to stand out of the crowd. Enrolling in post-secondary classes is certainly a step in the right direction. You may be sceptical about transitioning from diapers to textbooks, but don’t despair. Here are five essential tips that will enable you to pursue an education and still be a great mom.
1. Fully Research All Your Options
Before you decide on getting a college or university degree, or simply upgrading your current skill-set, consider all the options at your disposition. If you are a busy mom, online classes will fit perfectly into your schedule. Online courses allow you to study and work whenever it is convenient for you.
Beyond convenience, you should also consider the kind of course that you are undertaking and career possibilities. For instance, an online counselling degree from a reputable institution such as Bradley University is a great option for people who would like to work as counsellors. This is because the university’s online masters in counselling program is highly accredited by the Counselling and Related Educational Programs Board, which means that it will be recognised by most reputable institutions.
2. Get Organised
Juggling schoolwork with parental duties can be difficult, so it is important to have your own personal space for work. Designate a studying space in the home for you and ensure that it is far away from any noise and distraction. This can be difficult to do when homeschooling when your children are home during the day as well. Let your children understand that this space is off-limits and let them know at which times you will be studying. When your children see you learning and studying, they’ll see the importance of education and may be more inclined to to work harder themselves; and perhaps even pitch in more around the house.
3. Do Not Over Commit
Over-commitment is one of the biggest traps for moms who are going back to school. You will have to cut back on your daily activities in order to ensure that you spend enough time with your children and still have time to study. You may want to delegate house chores if you feel like the burden is too much. For some moms this may mean asking family for help; for others it may mean hiring a housekeeper or dropping off your laundry at a laundromat. For others it may mean that you put up with a less than tidy house for the term.
4. Always Plan Ahead
Scheduling your week ahead of time will allow you to set aside study time as well as time for extracurricular activities. You can also choose to do your grocery shopping or laundry on the weekends. Freezer cooking, and on-line grocery deliveries are where it’s at! Hang the family calendar on the refrigerator so that everyone can familiarise themselves with the new schedule. Also don’t forget to schedule in some down time for relaxation. All study and no play isn’t good for anyone; kids nor adults.
5. Have a Reliable Support System
Remember that you cannot do everything on your own. As a mom you will need the support of everybody in the household to accomplish your goals. Your spouse, siblings, or a close friend will have to take some of the pressure off of your shoulders and enable you to simply focus on school.
Before you start your studies, you have to understand that you must make sacrifices to succeed. But whatever you do, remember to not spread yourself too thin if you don’t want to burn out. Do not forget that you need to also put yourself first from time to time.
You may not want to jump in all at once; look into part-time study first if you’re not sure about the time commitment. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your future. One step at a time in the right direction is how you will get there and have a more satisfied life which will benefit not just you, but your children as well when they see their mom making a positive change.
