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Single Family Voices - For Single Parents Online Single Parent Forums Campus Single Parents Money aside- whats your biggest challenge?|
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I am New to SFV |
Being a single parent and now finally getting ready to take the plunge back into school, I've searched and read quite a bit on this board but I do have a question.
I will be taking some pre-req's this coming school year, and the plan is to enroll full time into the LPN program at a local Tech College in fall of 06. The financial part of the picture is not an issue, however i would like to know what the biggest challenge you all have found while attending school full time and raising your kids alone. My girls are currently 7 & 9, and will be 9 & 10 when I enroll full time in fall of 06. From what I can see of this years school calendar the majority of the nursing classes are day time, with 1 or 2 nights. So from you seasoned pro's. Whats the biggest challenge you face after money? Thanks! Brandy |
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On the Board |
Hi Brandy,
My biggest challenge is getting stuff done around the house. I work full time and attend class two nights a week. By the time i pick my son up and get hime bath and in bed it is almost 10.30. My heart breaks when he cannot wake up in the morning. |
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I am New to SFV |
Thank you so much for your reply, I had begun to wonder if maybe this forum was dead.
My mom went to school when I was 3, brother was 6 and she divorced my dad. She had the same issue that you have- the house stuff, and time for my brother and I. She always hated not being home at "dinner and bath" time those few nights a week. Thanks again! Brandy |
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"Brunette in training" At A loss for Words - NOT! |
Mine would be finding time to read. A mojority of school work is reading and writing and that can be really hard to do after the kids get to sleep (since that is the only time I will even think about attempting it). All other time is my kids time and will continue to be that. Time management is a huge issue for all of us and there really is not enought time in the day for everything to get done.
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I am New to SFV |
The biggest challenge I face after money is finding time to have a social life. After putting so much energy into college and providing guidance for my 17 year old son, I find that there is little time to maintain my friendships. I emailed someone I had not emailed in more than a month and have not heard anything back now. I am literally worried that I may not have work references by the time I graduate. I email my friends and call, but they just don't seem to get how busy I am with school, laundry, paying bills, car repairs, cat maintenance, helping my son stay focused in school and am now teaching him to drive a car responsibly this summer. On my school breaks I am going to the dentist, doctor, and filling out forms for sholarships, and studying for graduate school. I need some type of employment, but who has the time while in school? I hope graduate school might offer that opportunity. I had an internship for two semesters, but it did not pay anything. I took it b/c it was rather prestigious and offered a good opportunity to learn about autism. I liked reading about that Vermont student assistance program. I wonder if there is anything like that here in Texas.
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"...if only I could fly!...." Setting New Standards |
Time.. no question.
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"Going home very soon, god willing" Lively & Zealous Parent |
I am currently taking my master's degree courses at an online school. It is wonderful. I am home for my kids and I get to advance myself in my own time so I can get something better for my kids' lives.
Anyone wondering about how to go about it can pm me and I will be more than happy to tell you all about it. |
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"Needs to Get Life" At A loss for Words - NOT! |
My children.
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"Going home very soon, god willing" Lively & Zealous Parent |
Like I said above, Sue, your children do not have to be a reason you can not go back to school. I am at an online university that is accredited by southern who is the one that accredits big colleges like Yale. I would be more than happy to pass on the info. I love it as I can do it when I have a min. where the kids are not saying, mom, mom, mom, mom, mom... hehe. I can do it even after they are asleep at night. Sure I get less sleep but I am also working towards somthing that is very important to better my life and the life of my children as I will be doing better after I finish.
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Parent on Board |
I finished my Associate in 04 and the plan is to go back and get my Bachelors in the winter of 05. But to answer the question it is time away from the kids. When I was in school it was during the day and I worked the afternoon shift. This ment that I only saw the kids when we all got dressed in the morning and I took them to school/day care and when I picked them up and we got ready for bed. I really felt bad but I was making a better life for them. I was also showing them that no matter what happens when life knocks you down you get back up and just fight harder.
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"Least Fun Guy You Know" At A loss for Words - NOT! |
I think college is the greatest thing for single parents. I've gotten 3 degrees so far, and I plan on getting another one before my son is grown.
There is so much free money and cheap loans available to students, that you can get by without working or working very little. A full load of classes only requires you to be out of the house ~20hrs/wk, compared to working a 40hr/wk job, so you end up getting to spend more time with your children. I really can't think of another way for a parent to spend that much time at home, yet have higher earning potential by the time they re-enter the workfoce. The biggest challenges that I faced? One thing is that the other students often aren't understanding of your lack of free time. It was hard to schedule group work and out of class meetings with people that aren't used to restricted schedules and responsibilities. Also, even though I'd say the average school schedule is easier than work, there are some weeks when every class has a big project due and you have to put in 60-80hrs. lol...procrastination often has something to do with that problem though... Anyway...good luck to you! I'm hoping that I'll be able to take time off for another degree in the next two-four years. Later, Bobby |
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"Needs to Get Life" At A loss for Words - NOT! |
Oh when I read this I didn't realize it was in Campus forum. I have already gone back to school, and back againLOL...... I even took some courses after kids at home online.
I think for me at this point the biggest challenge would be finding time to do all the work. The classes are scheduled, I would definitely want to "schedule" reading/papers time in and have care lined up.... or stay up late late at night trying to do it with half an eye and half a brain. |
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"Going home very soon, god willing" Lively & Zealous Parent |
That is what I love about the online. You do it when you have the time and the others understand that becuase they have lives too. You are also available to be with the kids. I do homework while they are doing theirs as they are on a homebound program through the public schools. It is alot like my program and they love it. They went from average grades to honor roll level. I teach them the concepts and there is a liason who looks over the whole thing. |
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"...if only I could fly!...." Setting New Standards |
Bobby - I don't know how you manage to go to school without working. But then, you don't live in California.
I am working, and going back to school. Accountingnut, right on gf!! ^5 |
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"Least Fun Guy You Know" At A loss for Words - NOT! |
Hey,
Yeah, california can be expensive. You know, there really are good schools in the middle of nowwhere, however. Lol...even though I had to live in Blacksburg, VA year round (which *wasn't* so bad) for four years, the rent was $300 for our 3br apt and I could get that in loans each semester. The second time I did it was in Massachusetts, which probably isn't much cheaper than California. I plan to do my next one in Massachusetts too. I'll tell you about how I made it work if you want; it was hard, but it paid off... Later, Bobby |
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Single Family Voices - For Single Parents Online Single Parent Forums Campus Single Parents Money aside- whats your biggest challenge?
