Anyone here go2 college, work and raise a child/baby?

Question

I am married and going to college while I work full time (school is part time) and I found out that I am pregnant. My husband is happy he wants the baby but I don't think we make enough money to comfortably support one. I want to finish school that's my number 1 (obviously baby will become number 1 soon enough) but I want to know if anyone else has been able to do it, I need some inspiration. It's going to be really hard I think :/ I take right now 2-3 classes (depending on difficulty) I have my AA and working toward BA.

Thanks in advance everyone :P

As an FYI I raised my bro and sister when they were younger I know thats hard, but my baby deserves a decent life and for me to provide that I need education, so schools important to baby too

Answer 1

Your baby needs a mother who is taking care of him or her, not just squeezing childcare in with work and school. The inspiration you need right now is that child. I don't think you realize how much time and energy is involved in taking care of a baby. School and work can wait until he or she is in school. This may not be how your planned your life, but it's the way your life is, and you need to take a good hard look at your priorities. EDIT: Money is not the key to raising a happy, successful child, and daycare is no substitute for a loving parent. "Quality time" is a myth that overextended parents tell themselves, to relieve their guilt. You and your child will never get back these early years. What price can you put on that?

Answer 2

I live in a college town that is very family oriented. Many of the girls on campus are mom's and also work part time.
I am in school part time and I do not work and I can't function if I add on any thing else, I just can't spend that much time away from my baby girl or my home- things start to fall apart and quit functioning properly (dishes don't get done, laundry goes down the drain, my husband can't feed himself haha)
I love being a part time student/stay at home mom. You are right, your baby becomes #1, and you just have to accept that things like school are going to take a bit longer than you'd planned but that there is nothing wrong with that. finances also may be tight for awhile until you graduate, but that is also worth it. We have survived on less than $600/month (when I was pg, we were both students, crazy huh!) and now that my husband has graduated and has a job he's the only one working and it's still tight but we just budget like crazy.

Keep working on your education though, your children will be more likely to be educated if their mother is. Statistically it doesn't matter whether the father goes to school or not, if the mother did that's what impacts a childs choice most about education... granted, my mom didn't go to school and my dad has a masters and I still chose to go to school, but it's still something to think about.

You can do it. :)

Answer 3

Yes! I did! Until my daughter was 18 months old, I was working full time (45 hours a week) and going to college full time (17 credit hours per semester), and I had a 1 year old! It was crazy, but it's doable and in a lot of cases, it's neccessary! I found the time to study and just didn't give up. I spent every spare minute I had with my daughter and was the best mommy I could be and she is now a healthy, smart 2 year old darling girl! I maintained a 4.0 GPA and made the Presiden'ts List (a step above the Dean's list), every semester! You will find your balance and you CAN do it! Just hang in there and don't give up. As the answerer below me said, online classes are a great thing - take advantage of them. I took one once and in a lot of cases, you can finish alot of your course work right away ( the instructor will issue you a syllabus of all assignments and due dates) and not have to worry about it later!

Edit: Ignore the answer posted by "by Tiss". She has no idea what she's talking about - you can do it! Go for it and just be the best mommy you can be! :) You go girl! God bless!

Answer 4

If you find that it's too stressful to do all of these things you can always go back to school later... it's never too late. There are a lot of online course you can take, too. Online classes allow you to do your studies on your own time but gives the the structure of an onsite class with deadlines and sometimes scheduled web meetings. Check with your college for a list on online classes you can take after you have the baby. Having a baby shouldn't put your life on hold... it should give you something to strive towards. You'll be giving your child a better life by educating yourself with the end result of a better paying job.

Answer 5

Oh, you most certainly can do it. It will not be easy though. My husband is about to graduate FINALLY with a degree in Electrical Engineering (not on line stuff either) We have 4 children, oldest is 8, youngest is 6 months. He has managed to work full time, take a load of at least 7 credits per semester, fix up our basement, teach Sunday school, spend good time with the children, etc...It is possible! He has been an inspiration to me...as soon as he's done, I'm going back. Good luck.

Answer 6

I finished my last 2 years of school after having a baby. I had taken a few years off of school and my husband and I started our own business. My last two years of school I did an average of 15 credits per semester. I was lucky to be able to take about 30-40% of my courses online and just commute onto campus 2 days per week. It's hard but not impossible. Cram in as much as you can for spring semester and summer session if you can. Then take as much time as you need to be able to balance everything out.

Answer 7

I work part time, have an almost 3 month old baby and take at least 17 credit hours. My daughter actually was born during a semester that i was going to college.

Answer 8

I did it- I worked at his daycare in the afternoon after my classes and I wore him as I did my own work.

I went back to finish my last 3 semesters when he was 4 months old. I took a full load the semester I was pregnant with him and took the semester he was born- off. So, I had 4 months off with him.

Go now to your college's daycare- most have them on campus and sign your baby up for their waiting list. they also have sliding scale fees for students who are parents and you may get a deal.

My grades got better after our son was born. I went from a 3.7 to a 4.0 every semester after he was born. I always took 18 credit hours before he was born- after, I took 12-13 depending on the labs I needed for science.

YOU CAN DO THIS! I promise you!

Answer 9

i worked full time and took a full load of distance ed classes while pregnant and i was also helping my bro to finish/graduate high school. it was hard but i only did it for one semester then i found a job that pays well enough and has enough advancement opportunities for me without having to finish school so i quit.