A little background info...I'm 28 yrs. old, married with three kids, ages 8, 4, and 3 mos. I graduated high school ten years ago, and attended two quarters of college, where I did OK, but not great. I was only 17 when I went to college, and not sure if my lack of success was due to the sudden complete freedom or because I just wasn't smart enough.
I have always valued staying home with my children and have made it a top priority in my life, HOWEVER, we are living well below the poverty level, on food stamps, the whole 9 yards, and barely able to pay rent in the tiny 2 bedroom house that we live in. The power is about to be shut off on Monday because we couldn't afford to pay it...
This whole situation got me thinking...my husband dropped out of high school, and as a result will never have a job making good money, and I'm tired of seeing my children suffer from our financial problems.
If I can get grants to cover the costs, should I go back? Why or why not?
2006-08-19 18:11:35 · 26 answers · asked by Ashley F 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
You sound intelligent and motivated. Personally with a 3 month old I wouldn't want to miss that first year, it's the best one and so much happens! And if this is your last child, it's the last baby you will have so enjoy him (or her)!
Online classes are a great idea for now, most community colleges have grants and waivers for low income. You might be able to take a part time job a few hours a week either at home or nearby to get out of the house and earn a little money and hopefully set some aside and put some toward your budget. And take online classes and do your homework at night. When your baby is a year old you can maybe start taking more classes and/or still work depending on how motivated you are and what your childcare situation is.
That's what I would do if I were in your position.
2006-08-19 18:33:08 · answer #1 · answered by BabyRN 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
HEllzYa! You are already struggling, so why not struggling with the knowledge that in X number of months/years whatever, you will start to build a better, more secure life for you and your family. Once your education is taken care of, your husband could then go for his. It will be tough, but I don't think it will be any harder than it already is b/c there is a positive outcome, a goal in mind! And judging by how you write/speak, you don't sound like you are not smart. You previous lack of success was probably a freedom thing, or an immaturity. i know I was pretty immature at that age. I dropped out of high school at 15, got a job, worked it for a few years and realized what I was doing to my life, and went to hair college. I'm just lucky I had enough high school to do that. Now things with work are great! I am super busy, but I can make my own hours. My husband graduated high school, but never went to college. Where we live the oil field is where the money is, and it is easy for any man to get into, so that is what almost every man does. Anyway, I encourage education, I just don't see any other way to help the growth of your family.
2006-08-20 01:55:20 · answer #2 · answered by Lost in Love 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely,
a college graduate makes on average 25,000 more a year than a high school graduate.
Yes you can get grants and loans to pay for it.
Why should you?
Imagine how nice it would be to not have to worry about the lights being shut off.
I have 4 kids myself, ages 8, 6, 5 and 4 months.
I am also on welfare, food stamps, medicaid etc.
I am currently attending college to get my associates degree in the IT field.
Yeah, it took a bit of juggling to get things into a new routine, and yes, I admit, I suffer for it, Long hours of studying, I am mising out on time with my kids, but you wanna know something?
Once I graduate, I can get all kinds of awsome jobs, and have the money to buy groceries, pay the bills, afford a decent car instead of taking the bus.
I look at the long term effects, not just the here and now.
Are you participating int he welfare to work program?
They have some awsome help there, transportation, clothing, resume building, and they are sure to know if someone can help you with some of your basic living expenses and shut off assitance as well.
Call your case worker, or your local human service department,
I'm sure they can get you a list of resources on your area.
Good luck, and keep your chin up.
Oh, and if you ever think you can't do it, put your stubborness to work in a good way, whatever happens, don't drop out.
2006-08-20 01:30:20 · answer #3 · answered by kathi m 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your situation is not an easy one. First, your time is limited with three kids and a spouse. Now, you also have the money issue.
I tried the on line program, most colleges have on line classes. This will help with the family issue. You can be home and just go on line. I am assuming you have a computer at home.
However, the money issue. The classes are usually the same price or same times slightly cheaper. As for Grants, I do not know if online classes are covered. You can always call different colleges to see what they offer.
There is also schools that only teach online classes. These online classes are getting more and more popular are colleges.
I hope this helps.
2006-08-20 01:26:49 · answer #4 · answered by July1973 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Go back to school. You will be setting a good example for your children to live by. You can go to fafsa.org and fill out a financial aide application to help pay for college. If you really live way below poverty then you should qualify for a full Pell grant which will not only pay for your college tuition but also help you take care of living expenses and daycare for your children. Decide what school you are gonna go to, fill out the application and then talk to the financial aide adviser at that school. They will be able to help yo with any questions that you have. Also talk to your husband about him getting his GED(General Equivalent Diploma). He really can get a better job with it.
2006-08-20 01:31:28 · answer #5 · answered by hotmama 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should do whatever you feel is right, (I know that sounds totally corny.) If you were a full time student (I don't know what constitutes that everywhere where I am it means taking 12 credit hours a semester) and took summer school you could probably graduate pretty quick (a friend of mine did that in 2 years but he was taking much more then 12 hours the entire time), unfortunatly that's alot of work and it would cut in on your time spent with your kids for a while, but I def. think it would be worth it in the end. Or you could try and get your husband to get a GED that couldn't hurt either. I say go for it though! Good luck!
2006-08-20 01:22:42 · answer #6 · answered by Abtsolutely 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think u know the answer to this ? If u r suffering all this problems and just notice it then u r not that smart but i think u can make it trough. And stop living out of the govt and get a job because everybody blames the illegal people either for stealing an American citizen's job or living out of the govt.
2006-08-20 01:24:07 · answer #7 · answered by AngelEyes 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I can tell by the way you expressed yourself in writing that you are intelligent. I would suggest that you try finding a job on a shift opposite your husband, so one of you are taking care of the kids. this will likely mean a job with short hours (part-time) and see how that goes first.
If you can handle that, go back and shool for an associate degree first. In most areas, this is enough to get you a job as a substitute teacher. Excellent hours for a mom with kids. Then go further if you want.
2006-08-20 01:42:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes you should. It's very difficult to going back after 10 years, but reward will be a lot greater . Average wage for College grads is $24.67 in 2005. A lot better than most of high school grad.
I know this from experience, most adults ,who came back to study ,do better than when they were young. It's because they want/ need to be there. Think about it; you didn't like to be in the classroom when you were teen did you. You will focus better.
Just take one or two easy classes at evening, and go from there. Talk to your husband. You will need a lot of support from him. He has to take care of home and the kid a lot.
Good luck to you. I am very sure you will do well if you really want it.
2006-08-20 01:34:42 · answer #9 · answered by novak-9 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Here's my question...if you don't' go back to school will you still be 28 years old with three kids and living below the poverty level?
2006-08-23 04:25:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋