3 Tips for Stay-at-Home Parents Looking to Go Back to School

November 30, 2020

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3 Tips for Stay-at-Home Parents Looking to Go Back to School

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), about 22 percent of all undergraduate college students are raising children — with 70 percent being mothers and 30 percent being fathers. Moreover, about 63 percent of college mothers are single parents, whereas 61 percent of student fathers are married.

Whether you’re married or single, there are several things you can do to simplify the transition back to school when you’re busy raising children at home. These tips from the Freeloader team will ease the transition as you juggle coursework with your many responsibilities as a stay-at-home mom or dad. Read on to begin!

1. Weigh the Pros and Cons

Going back to school as a stay-at-home mom or dad isn’t easy, and you’ll need to be prepared for the stress and time commitment of pursuing a degree while raising a family. When you’re not completing your many duties as a stay-at-home parent, much of your downtime will be spent studying, completing coursework, and working toward your degree. You’ll also need to prepare to give a few things up along the way, whether that’s missing out on your child’s baseball games, getting less sleep at night, or canceling your gym membership.

While going back to school may be your best option for career advancement and personal fulfillment, you’ll need to decide whether the added stress and lack of rest will be worth it in the long haul. To help you decide whether going back to school is the right move for you, be sure to ask yourself the following questions:

How much time will you need to devote to your degree program?
Will financial aid be available to you?
Do you have the support of your partner, friends, and family members?
Is there a private space in your home that can be used for online learning and school work?

If going back to school is the right decision for you and your family, the next two tips will help to make the transition as easy as possible.

2. Earn an Online Degree

As a busy stay-at-home parent, you’ll need to look for a flexible degree program that offers online, weekend, and/or evening classes. Some degree programs are entirely online, while others offer hybrid learning options. Additionally, some schools are more likely than others to accommodate adult students with children. When choosing a parenting-friendly college, the U.S. News & World Report recommends looking for schools that offer online or blended degree programs, childcare, and support systems for student parents.

Western Governors University (WGU) is one excellent option to consider when going back to school as a stay-at-home mom or dad. Through Western Governors University, you could earn an online master’s degree in education if you’re looking to obtain the skills needed to work as a teacher in the future. Plus, WGU offers other online degree programs in areas such as business, health, and information technology (IT), including a Master of Health Leadership, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and Master of Accounting. If you’re interested in attending a community college local to the Austin area, there are many schools in Central Texas to choose from, all of which offer online classes for busy parents.

3. Simplify Home Life

In addition to choosing a flexible degree program, there are some steps you can take to simplify life at home while working toward your degree. These include:

Hiring a quality babysitter or nanny to help out on the days when you need to study, attend classes, or complete an online exam.
Employing a housekeeper to help out with cleaning, laundry, and other chores.
Asking your spouse or partner to pitch in wherever possible.
Purchasing a quality backpack child carrier for traveling or running errands with your little one.
Seeking support from friends, family members, and loved ones.
Paying for a meal delivery service like Blue Apron or HelloFresh.

Being a stay-at-home parent isn’t easy, and going back to school won’t make it any less challenging. But if you plan on re-entering the workforce within the next few years, going back to school could be your best option for obtaining the skills and knowledge needed to land a fulfilling job. And with these tips and resources at your disposal, hopefully the transition back to school will be a smooth one.

Are you looking for a high-quality child carrier that can be used to travel, hike, or run errands with your little one? The Freeloader Child Carrier is suitable for children weighing 20- to- 85 lbs — including those with special needs and heart or health conditions. To learn more, get in touch with The Freeloader team online or at 512-596-0037.