Going Back to School as a Single Mom

Parenthood, the 24/7 never ending best job you’ll have, so rewarding, but not in any way profitable in terms of contributing to the household income. And if you are doing it on your own, you are likely feeling the pressure of having to provide a double income lifestyle for your kids, on a single income. Time to start figuring out how to increase your earning potential while still devoting yourself to your family. This is not an impossible task!

The percentages of people earning college educations online is rapidly rising and this is a great option for people who want to earn their degree, but do not have the opportunity to be on the schedule of a full time, in person, student. A college degree opens so many doors and qualifies you for higher level salaries than applicants without one. Especially with so many universities and certification programs moving towards a primarily online platform, strike while the iron is hot and invest in yourself, so you can in turn give the best to your family. 

Don’t Fear Debt

Debt of some sort is pretty much a fixture inside every home and personal budget, learn the difference between good and bad debt. Taking out a student loan with a private lender in order to pay for your education is an example of good debt. As a single parent you may also qualify for special interest rates or terms depending on the lender. 

Use your platform as an opportunity to get ahead. If you do not have a college education, you are automatically disqualified from certain professions and could end up on the minimum wage hamster wheel, living paycheck to paycheck, unable to build financial security for your family. Depending on your degree and your determination post-graduation you could land yourself a job that generates an income higher than you imagined, and repaying your loans won’t even feel like a financial burden because the extra money you bring in each month, can be in part, allocated towards debt management. 

Setting an Example

You are already a hero to your children, showing them that you can be your own hero too is priceless. They watch everything you do, and even when they are too young to understand it, they are aware of how it effects the household. Earning your degree will give you newfound self-confidence and the closer you get to graduation, the harder you will push yourself towards finishing, so you cannot just tell, but show your children, that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. 

As a parent it is often hard to reconcile doing things for yourself as necessary and instead deem them selfish or unimportant. Regarding education, give yourself permission to switch up that narrative. Yes, this choice will involve sacrifices and sure, the dynamics inside your home might have to change to accommodate the new normal, but that is inevitable with life, so don’t push your potential to be the best version of yourself further and further down the list. The perfect time is a sliding timeline, meaning, there is no perfect time. You would not want your children to settle for good enough, knowing their potential, so recognize the potential in yourself and invest in it.