Once upon a time, women got married, had children, and then gave up their jobs to stay at home and look after their families. This is no longer the case. It’s certainly an option, and many women choose to stay at home while their children are young. But, it’s not the only option available. Men stay at home, women return to their previous positions, they look for new jobs with greater flexibility or start up on their own, and they even go back to school.
Going back to school is a fantastic option for many moms and it’s easy to see why further education appeals to so many. It gives them a chance to start a new career or to refresh their knowledge after a break. Some go back to school with no career-related benefits in mind. They do it to learn and to take some time out to do something for themselves.
More parents than ever are going back to school, and there’s no reason that you shouldn’t do the same if you are interested. But, it’s not going to be a walk in the park. Here are some tips to help you to make it work for you and your family.
Study Online
Studying online is a fantastic option for anyone with other responsibilities to take into consideration and also for those who have been out of education for a while. A masters of engineering management online or a career in IT will give you the chance to study at home in your own time while opening the door to many potential careers in the future.
Studying online also gives you the chance to gain the qualifications you may need to study at a university abroad. Consider Cambridge A Levels, for example, if you’re looking to study in the UK for your further education. You can complete these online either in your home country or upon arrival in the UK. For international students, it’s best to take international A levels, but if you’re already living in the UK after a recent move, you can take the standard course.
Get Help
It takes a village to raise a child as the saying goes and that’s certainly true when mommy wants to take on a big project. Don’t try to do everything yourself. Your studies will suffer, your relationships will suffer, and you’ll be hugely unhappy. Instead, ask for help. Ask your partner to help with bed and bath time so that you can either work or take a break. Ask your friends and family to take the kids out a few times a week. Or, even hire help in the form of a childminder or cleaner so that you’ve got less to do around the home.
Get into a Routine
Routine is incredibly important. It doesn’t have to be strict or make sense to other people; it just has to work for you. It might be that you like to get up an hour before everyone else to work, or that you like to do more on certain days to free up others. Find a pattern that suits you and stick to it as much as you can.
Involve the Kids
Kids don’t always respond well to big changes, and mommy suddenly giving something else her attention can be a big change. They might worry that this will mean a new job and less time with them. Speak to them and be honest. Then, involve them as much as you can. Do your homework when they do theirs, let them ask you questions, and tell them about what you are learning.
