I am a stay at home mum desperate to go back to college?

Question

I have 4 children. Im starting to feel very isolated and board at home and am desperate to go back to uni and get a degree, but i dont want to miss out on the children either. They grow up so fast, but im nearly 28 and feel i need to hurry up and get my degree as im getting old.
I have already applied for the course but i dont want to regret going back too early and missing out!
What do you think??

The children are 9, 6 and twins 18 months, so iv only got the twins at home the older 2 are at school.

I also have the full support of a fantastic husband

Answer 1

You're 28 and it sounds like you have a great family - supportive husband and great kids. Don't feel like you have to get your college done all at once. Stretch it out and take one or two classes at a time - even consider Internet classes (although that wouldn't really address your feelings of isolation but it could be a second class to take).

Here's the thing. I have four kids and when my oldest were about your older kids age I thought "great! now they are in school and are getting more self sufficient so I can start working outside of the house more". But all of a sudden they became 11 and 12 and they became socially conscious and they began to be interested in girls more. I found they needed me around even more than when they were 8 and 9.

You can absolutely be a great mom and set the example for your kids that education is important and worthwhile and still be available to them.

Awesome.

Answer 2

Oh hun - I promise you, 28 is nowhere near old. But I do understand how you feel, being stuck at home with kids is tough.

How old are the children? If any of them are still toddlers I'd advise waiting till they start school. I tried to do a degree when my son was 2, and I just found it too difficult. Lots of people do manage though, so there's no reason why you shouldn't.

Go into the university and have a chat with the welfare officer there - see what kind of help you'll get. Most universitys do like mature students and offer quite a lot of support to help you out.

Also, you could consider starting your degree part-time, then moving onto full-time once you've established a proper routine for you all.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Well, you could do a part time degree if you're worried about missing out on your kids, although that would take longer. Otherwise, just wait until they're at school full time because, trust me - and I'm speaking from experience as a student - the workload at uni can be really tough at times. I can't imagine doing what I'm doing with kids running around the house! It would be very stressful. Don't worry about being 'old' (although I'd hardly consider 28 old) and getting a degree - there are loads of mature students at my uni and they're often the ones that seem the wisest and most learned - nothing like us immature youngsters! :-)

Answer 4

You do whatever you feel is best. Can you do a night course a couple of nights a week. That way you get the best of both worlds. Spend the time with your children through the day and study at night that way you wont miss out. As for the older children im sure they wont mind mummy nipping out for a couple of hours once or twice a week. Sometimes you have to sacrifice a little for your own sanity love. Your world doesn't have to stop just because you have children and as you said they have daddy too. Don't worry to much you go girl.

Answer 5

I have 2 children and am a (dumped) single mum I'm 29 and my kids are 3 and 6. I went back to college to do my accountancy degree and am just doing one day a week over 4 years, this means I only have to put my youngest in full time care 1 day a week which he loves and it gives me a break. Perhaps you should look into part-time courses, don't feel guilty they need a mum who is happy and fulfilled in her life.

Answer 6

28 isn't old!! i am 23 and am the youngest on my course (am also mum, but i only have one to deal with!) everyone else is over 40!!

i empathise with you as i know how you feel, but if you feel it is the right time to go do it, then do it, i am in college and feel bad about farming my daughter off all the time, but by me getting more qualified i can get a better well paid job and thus improve her quality of life!
if you put it off now you may never do it, but if it bothers you that much, look into stay at home classes or night school maybe? either way you have to live with your decision and i'm sure deep down you know the answer

good luck with whatever you decide :)

Answer 7

Go because even at full time you will only be gone for approximately 16 hours a week (not counting driving time) and wont miss too much with the kids. Homework can be done with the kids home and you can be almost done by the time your twins are in school full time.

Answer 8

I am a mum of four and found it hard to get to do anything let alone college. I logged on to The Open University and am now doing my honours degree in molecular science. They are really help full and I can fit in my study around sorting the children

Answer 9

You have a supportive husband good for you. Go get that degree. You have time right now. they have night classes. many I wish I had the resources to go back to college. Right now with three kids and bills a husband not completely on board I cant afford it.

Answer 10

you can take classes on line or try a few nights a week. just to start out and get out of the house. It's very healthy to get out and talk to adults in the real world sometimes! take it slow