Should I Go Back to School

I think you should go for it! You could always leave them little notes on their pillows, or even call if you can. It may be 9mos, BUT there are 3 other nights you will be home, and you are doing this for them in the long run. Plus you'll be there when they wake up in the mornings! I say give it a try, and if it doesn't work out, then so be it, but you can at least say you tried!

I went back to school after being home with my lil man for a year. When he turned one I put him in daycare and starting working again and am doing online classes through the local college. You may loose that hour but just think of the long term benifits. More money for ypur family and you having that time with other adults. Then the time you spend with your kids gets even more special. It worked for me in the long run becasue I have a great job in real estate and finance and love it and the money. Hope this helps. Good luck!

Hi H.,
I think it would be a good idea, 9 months is not a long time. And with both of your kids going to "school" it would be the best time now. You would be done by the time they are getting out of school again. A good way to explain this to them is that mommy is gonna go to school also.
But one other idea if the kids are both gone all day at school do they not offer this class(es) during the day ? If they did then you would be killing to birds with one stone. You would be in school and both of your kids. Just a thought, either way I think it would be good for you and the family. W. mom of 4.

I'm a college student myself, and it's rough! One thing that has helped me is online schooling. I'm able to do my courses at 2 am if need be. Now, your schooling might not be so flexible, but point being, if it will bring you personal satisfaction and aid your family financially down the road, it's a fantastic idea. I've just finished my associates, almost entirely online, and I'm now transferring to OSU Tulsa for my bachelors. OSU will not provide online courses, so I too will be sacrificing time at home, but I truly feel it's worth it. My daughter knows how much I love her, and though the time away from her makes me feel horrible at times, it's only temporary. I don't love her any less, I just have to manage my time better...

Best of luck...and go for it. You will be happy that you did.

I'm in this situation now. I've been finishing my B.A. the past couple years with night classes and I just graduated this month. But I'm going back full-time to school next fall to get a degree in pharmacy. I've been a SAHM for the past 3 years and have had the best time with my kids. And when I start my pharmacy program my son will be four and my daughter 3, so they'll both likely be in preschool for part of the time I'm at school. But I feel like I was able to give them my best the first few years of their lives, and now it's time for me to finish what I started with my education. It will be a sacrifice for me because I'll miss my babies like crazy and it will be a huge adjustment to the routine of the past few years of my life, but I believe the end result will be well worth the changes. Besides unconditional love and security, I will also be able to provide the things for my kids that I've only dreamed about because money has been so tight on one income. Good luck with whatever you choose to do, but don't feel bad for missing the hour at bedtime if the reason you're doing it is to give a better life for yourself and your kids in the long run.

H.,

Absolutely! Go to school ~ if being a medical assistant is what you want to do. There are so many reasons why it's a good idea. Here's a few: It's a short amount of time to go to school.(9 months / 4 nights a week) You already spend all of your time with your children...they aren't going to be neglected, or psychologically harmed in any way with you away for a few hours 4 nights a week. You would be a positive role model for them to see mom furthering her education and then you can all discuss your 'homework' and different schools. Your children will be proud of you for furthering your education and more importantly, you will be proud of your own accomplishments. Setting goals and achieving them ~ especially educationally speaking~ is highly rewarding both for your own confidence and your ability to work in a satisfying career. And, your earning potential will be greater. Who knows? you may not stop at medical assistant! My encouragement is DEFINITELY GO FOR IT! Don't look back! Always look forward!

Good luck!
J.

I think you should go back to school. Not only will it eventually help you financially, but also you would be a good role model for your children-- modeling that you find education important and that if you work hard for something it pays off. You won't be less of a mother for missing that hour with them, and it will be finished in 9 months. Also, it will be good bonding time for your husband and children. They need that alone together-time with their dad. Good luck!!

These days technology makes a stay-at-home mom so versatile! I run my own business from home and I'm in school for graphic design...all while taking care of of my little girl. I feel like I lose no time with her, and I get to contribute to the household income and make myself better, as well.

My point it, Moms need love, too! If you are feeling this way, it's obivous to me that you are ready for a change. Like one other Mom said, it might be better to take the class during the day...that way you don't lose family time. Night classes are hard. I chose the online route. Good luck!

Obviously if you are even considering going back to school to be a medical assistant, it must be something you want. I say, go for it. Absolutely. I am a full-time student, and stay at home mother. We struggle financially from time to time, but it is absolutely worth it to have the career that I want. If you have the opportunity to further your education right now do it. It would be horrible to pass it up because one day you may look back and regret NOT persuing this career. Good luck in your decision!

Hi H.,

I know how difficult it is to go back to school after staying home with your kids, but 9 months will fly. So I think that one of the most important things is to know well if your husband is happy with you going to school and is willing to help with the kids (is he a good caregiver?) In my case, my husband is great at playing with my kids but can't change a diaper or feed them or bath them, he can't even think of that! So I couldn't go back to school, instead I am working from home, but if your desire is to get that degree, then you should try. Once you have your degree, you can choose.
Hope it helps, have a nice day!
Mariana
www.mykidsfirst.com

yes, that would be ok. Daddy is there, and shows the child that daddy is versatile to take care of their needs like mommy. It will help in your future for the extra money, and the kids will know that mommy has gone to school too, and has a degree in something. Hope that your hubby is able to kiss and hug the kids, and do light cooking.

Hey H.. I definitely commend you for wanting to go back to school and make a better life for you and your children. I am thinking of maybe doing the same thing. Its an awesome idea. You have to do what makes you happy because if you don't then whats the point? By doing something better for yourself you are also helping your kids and your family. I have an 8 month old and he requires a lot of attention so for now I think I may have to hold out on school especially since I work full time during the day and work at home with my own business partime. I will be working at home full time very soon so maybe I will pursue school then. But anyways I wish you all the luck and I am sure your husband will be supportive.

Hi, H.!
Go back to school! I was in my second year of college when I had my daughters. I made the decision to be a stay at home mom and finish school at the same. It is a decision I have never regretted. I will graduate with my degree in December of this year. I chose to finish my degree for two reasons-1st-to prove to myself that I could do it, and 2nd, to show my kids that you can have it all. You can work, study be a stay at home mom and have an education all at the same time without compromising my family or my children. Look at it this way, if you get your degree, you will always be able to take care of yourself and your kids regardless of what life may throw at you. Please go back to school..you will be very glad you did.

I believe to be with your kids the most as possible when they are small, and I too plan to start school or work when my youngest starts school. It would be good bonding time for Dad and the kids. I say do it if your husband is supportive since it will only be a 9 month course. Try asking God to show you the best decision.

You should definetly go back to school. My kids are 8 and 6 and I have just started back this year after being out for 10yrs. I don't regret it at all and I keeping thinking about all the extra's I will be able to provide for my girls once I have an income as well. You have to manage your time well to keep up with homework, kids homework, and household duties, and family time and my house is not as clean as I would like it to be, but I know it will be worth it in the end. Remember education is never wasted. Good Luck!

I would say if that is what you want to do. You need to make a decision based on what you would like to do. Will being a medical assistant make you happy? You most likely will get offered a position after you complete your training and if your schedule is 8-5 mon to fri then that would be perfect for you so you are working when they are at school. If your husband supports you 100% I would go for it, cause now that you will be going to school you might not have dinner together those nights and when you are at school and studing maybe on the weekends he will need to help you take care of the kids so you can get your school done. Nine months goes by in a flash you will be done before you know it because you will be so busy. Since your yonger one is 3 and he will be going to preschool, I would enroll him 2 or 3 times a week full time or just parttime so you can still spend the other days with him. I also would enroll him for a couple days now so he start getting used to it and you can see how he is adjusting this way it will not be a shock for him when you start school and if he goes full time wont see you all day.
Hope this helps. I am in a similar situation with my daughter. I have worked all my life but last year I decided to leave work I used to be a retail manager and used to work over 50hrs a week including some nights and weekend. Ever since I left work I have spend lots of time with my daughter 3 and my son 11 when he gets home from school and every weekend :). Now I am planning to go back to work but only part time to start and put my daughter in pre school also partime starting in the summer that way is not such a change for her. SO I am doing it gradually and I know she is ready for School :)

I am in the same position as you. I am a stay at home mom and just recently decided to go back to school (enrolling today). It makes me sad to think of all the time that I may miss with my kids, but at least when I graduate I can go to a job that I want instead of a job that I have to settle for. Plus, it sets a great example for your kids to see mom working hard towards something. Hope this helps!

YES!!!! Hi H., my youngest is starting kindergarten in the fall and I am going either back to school or work and I am so excited I can hardly wait!! I'm glad your husband is on board with this, mine is not that supportive, he thinks HE will be neglected. Poor baby. :) Our kids are 19, 15 1/2, 15,13,9 and 5. (We are a blended family) They are ready for me to go back to work becuase I am a happier and more fun mom when I get to leave the house and interact with grown-ups. I worked full time as a dental assistant and then quit to have my youngest child(i had never been a stay at home mom before).
It's entirely up to you and will it make you a better mom? Good Luck with your decision, don't ya just love this website?? I love all the advice!!
M. B.

I think if your hubby is ok with you going back to school then go for it, but you need to have an open honest talk with him, let him know that you'd like to go back to school see what he says

H.:

You should do what makes you happy. You have stayed at home and worn a "mom" and "wife" hat for four years, which is wonderful. You have to keep in mind that there is also a "H." hat that you need to wear, in order to have a balanced life. Studies show that children are happy, when their mother's are happy.......so do what makes you happy (as long as it is right for you and your family).

A. L

I say go for it!!!! You shouldn't have to compromise your education even for your kids. Im 22 have a 9 month old and Im going to school and working full time. Its tough but I work second shift so it isnt missing out on as much as I could be but Im so close to graduating so its a bit hectic. But if I can do it so can you and your child will adapt accordingly, just give it some time. Its only an hour before their bed time.....go for it!!!
--S.

H.,

Yes - definately go back is that's what you want to do! I am a full time working mother of a 3 year old and I am in school part time at night working towards my Master's degree. Even though I miss an hour or so one night a week with my daughter, I think its worth it because I'm working towards our future and she understands. I tell her mommy is in school and if I'm studying - she is at the table with my coloring or doing a craft. I think it sets a great example for your kids too. Anyway - you can do it! Good luck!