Need Some Positive Reinforcement

Keep your eye on the prize.

Now you get it.
Now you understand why you're doing it, right?

Good luck!

I am a university professor (I teach English), and I often pick up a class or two in adult degree completion programs. My advice? Go for it! Adults do wonderfully in school, and many times, you can find programs that will let you take classes once a week rather than daily.

I have personally watched hundreds of working adults return to college, and graduate successfully. I absolutely believe that you can do it.

OMGosh! Relax, don't be sooo hard on yourself!

I have many friends who are either just starting or returning to school... & the age range is 21-50+

Wishing you a fantastic life experience....it can be done!

You can do it. Just be realistic & look into it.
Plan well.
Choose your major very carefully: will you be able to get employment in
your field when you're done? Is it an impacted field?
Slow & steady wins the race.
Pace yourself...not too slow.....not so gungho that you lose steam out of
the gate.
Good luck. Go for it! :)

Look at what you DID with your life, NOT what you PLANNED and go from there!

What you DID was kick up your heels and party while you were young and had few responsibilities and then you grew up and had 2 babies (or maybe had 2 babies and then grew up) and NOW you are making the best life for them and yourself that you can, probably by going back to school for early childhood!

Sounds like a pretty good life.

When you look at what you've DONE and LEARNED (whether for the day or your life) you feel a LOT better and stronger than when you think about what you planned and all the should haves......

Start slow! One class at a time at a community college. It's affordable, you still have time to enjoy your kids.
I did that for a few years and then went back full time for the remaining two years of my degree when DD was 3. I have one more year to go and it is HARD! In my field I cannot get a degree online or part time... in ECE that may be a possibilty. I am in school all day (8hours) and then I still need to study at night and on weekends - way more commitment than a FT job.
Not saying that you should not do it, but know what you are in for. I get excellent grades and it is very rewarding (much more than my job was) but don't kid yourself, if you are planning on doing it full time it can be grueling.

Congrats for figuring out what you want to do. My sister went to nursing school while working and while taking care of two young children. She graduated in her 30's. I am so proud of her and think it's awesome that she did this. It won't always be easy for you and yes, the kids may whine or cry when you're at school and you'll be doing homework late at night when you'd rather be asleep, but keep your eye on your goal. Your family will eventually be in a better financial situation. Your kids will grow up with a mom as a role model proving that you can do anything that you want to if you're willing to work at it and I'll bet you will be happy with who you see in the mirror. Good luck!

I'm a student (part time). I am about a year away from applying for nursing school. I have a 3 yr old and it is really hard to juggle everything but it is doable. I know quite a few moms that are also going to school!

Why would anyone harp on you! Don't even expect that. Do you know how much money you will be able to make getting this degree? How long will it take to get it? Can you get it at a community college where the tuition is less expensive than a university?

I am wondering if K-5 would be a way to get a higher salary, medical insurance and a retirement plan. If you work at a daycare, you might not have those perks. You might want to research that.

It is wonderful to get your degree, whatever it's in! You go girl!

Dawn

Well we don't need to harp on you because it sounds like you are doing a fine job of that all on your own! So you failed last time. Lots of people fail, then come back and try again. As for before......Could of? Should of? Would of? So what that you didn't go to school before you had kids. Let that go and go for it now! You are still very young! I know a woman that went to school and became an artist in her 50's!

Here's the thing. Start! Don't even think about the end game. Start school, get your foot in the door and see how it goes. If you want it then I think you will get it! Stop worrying about whether you can do it. What will happen if you fail again? In my mind you blow it off, or try again! Nothing you can't handle.

I think you're the perfect person and could absolutely make it-wanting it is 99%-now you just have to figure out how to implement your plan-27 yrs old? You're still in the first quatrer! Best of luck! You will be an inspiration to your children!

Do it! The timing will never be "perfect" and there are no "shoulds" - count your blessings for realizing that you could do better for yourself and your kids. Many people don't get that far! Just think - if you do this, by the time your oldest is in 1st grade (and time will pass quickly!!), you can be working a school schedule and have summers to spend with both your kids! Or, you can be four years older and still going back and forth about what you "should" have done..:-)

Yay! for no drinking now!!! Keep it up!

I'm 42 yrs old & have two girls - 8/14. Both of them have encouraged me to get the training I need to open a daycare center from our home which I have put on hold b/c I'm not so sure I want that much responsibility. I have decided that right now I am going to work at a day care center in town until I decide to do something on my own. You are never too old to go ahead with something like going back to school, so I would really try not to talk yourself out of it. When you went last time you were at a different place in your life. There are so many programs available, such as day-care at colleges and all. I wish you nothing but the best!