Have any SAHMs here gone back to school?

[nodito]

Any stay at home moms here gone back to school? I’m curious to hear your stories. E.g., how many kids do you have, how long were you at home, how old was the youngest when you went back, what prompted the career change, etc, etc?

 

[pensmama87]

My mother did, when my youngest sister was in middle school (not that long ago.) She got a degree in computer science in the 80s, but got married and had me shortly afterwards, so she’d been a SAHM for over 20 years at that point. She started by working part time at a community college doing filing and helping out on occasion with ESL and then GED classes. The teachers of the GED classes and the students noted she was really good at math, so she took a couple courses (free, as an employee) to meet the requirements to teach the classes herself, which she now does.

Some of it was a desire to supplement household income, but my mom also said after elementary school, there wasn’t much for her to do to help out and she wanted to be busy. She liked getting to use her math skills again, and she made a few friends, too.

 

[midori]

I did my BA and my MLS before I had my family-- I might go back to pick up a CNA to help better care for aging family members, although that’s more of a training thing, rather than an actual degree. My mom, however, dropped out of school to get married, had four kids, and went back to finish her degree 30 years later. Go, Mom!

 

[pianistclare]

I got my Music degrees before I was married and right after high school.

My theology degree was obtained after my girls were in High School and I was widowed.
The Catholic school promised to reimburse me.
They lied.

 

[AnnArbor]

I got my Music degrees before I was married and right after high school.

My theology degree was obtained after my girls were in High School and I was widowed.
The Catholic school promised to reimburse me.
They lied.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I had attained a BA and was certified to teach English and biology, but was pregnant with my first when I graduated. I stayed home until my youngest was in school and then went back to school and got my AD in Nursing and became an RN. I tried to coordinate my classes with the school hours, and was lucky enough to have my MIL watch the children if they were off or ill. I also attended summer classes to lighten the course load during the school year. Since I already had a degree, I did not have to take any electives, nor did I have to take any classes such as English.

I would get up and get to the University around 6 AM–my husband was able to get the kids off to school before work. My classes usually started at 8 Am, hospital clinicals mostly at 7 AM. I would go to the student union, grab a coffee, and study until time for classes, because it was quiet. This was about 3 days a week. One quarter I took a night class that met 2 days a week. I would study or work on projects after the kids had gone to bed.

It was tough, because there was a lot of work both in school and at home with the children, husband, house, etc., but I had a lot of support from my husband, who was very good about getting them off to school on the days I had classes and helping with cooking, etc. I had it a little easier because I did not have to attend full time.

I graduated with my Nursing degree exactly 10 years after I had graduated with my Bachelor’s. I was a SAHM about 7 years.

 

[1990Domer]

I got my Music degrees before I was married and right after high school.

My theology degree was obtained after my girls were in High School and I was widowed.
The Catholic school promised to reimburse me.
They lied.

PC,

Shame on them but proud of you!

 

[pianistclare]

PC,

Shame on them but proud of you!

Thanks! :curtsey:

They finally fired that woman. She just about shut down the school. Over 200 families left during her tenure there.
It’s hanging on by a thread.

But the degree was fun! Expensive, but fun!

 

[AdamP88]

My wife and I don’t have any kids yet. I have one more year left in my RE/English teaching degree. After we have a few kids my wife would like to go back and to nursing or something similar as a degree or a masters. Then I’d like to get a Theology masters so I might have the option of lecturing in university.
That is the plan anyway. In Ireland the tax system is more favorable to families where both spouses are working, even if only part time. So we’ll probably both be in the workplace to some extent until we can afford to buy a house.