| 4/14/2008 7:12:15 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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meli1982
Springfield, MA
age: 26
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I am a single parent and I am currently working on my degree. All that plus working it gets crazy  . How does everyone handle the craziness? I know there are days I want to call in sick for EVERYTHING, but I don't get sick days for motherhood  
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| 4/14/2008 7:22:05 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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kathy5311
Jackson, GA
age: 40
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I'm not going back to school, but I wanted to commend you for doing so! Good luck to you! It won't be easy, but nothing worthwhile is easy! Kudos to you! 
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| 4/14/2008 7:55:12 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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meli1982
Springfield, MA
age: 26
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thank you. it's not easy, but I'm doing it, and with good grades!
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| 4/15/2008 2:06:00 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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weatherwench
Tucson, AZ
age: 39
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I will be going back to school in the fall to finish up my Degree. Its going to be hard I've had to take a few classes at a time and when things got rough I had to lower my school load to one class at times so keep up the good work and just listen to your stress level when you feel stressed look into lowering your load. But DON'T GIVE UP!
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| 4/16/2008 12:15:21 AM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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goofygrama
Pensacola, FL
age: 44
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Ive gone back to school 3 different times.(haven't made up my mind what I want to be when I grow up yet lol)No it wasn't easy but in the end it was worth it. My daughter is a single parent with 2 kids and she is back in school going for her lawyers degree. She has been talking about being a lawyer since she was 10. I help her out with childcare. Kudos to any single parent who goes back to better themselves.  
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| 4/16/2008 12:32:06 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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meli1982
Springfield, MA
age: 26
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i give any single parent (mother or father) all the respect in the world. Being a single parent is tough enough. i'm lucky enough to have a great support system to help me out with childcare, plus the cost of tuition, plus what other expenses come along. It doesn't matter if you are taking one class or 5, you are bettering yourself.
[Edited 4/16/2008 12:33:06 PM]
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| 4/16/2008 10:31:13 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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kathy5311
Jackson, GA
age: 40
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I promise all of you ladies that you will not regret all the hard work that you will face or are facing right now.
Let me share my story:
When my ex abandoned me and my five children, my Bachelor's Degree was 8 years old and I had not obtained any professional experience. I had gotten married straight out of college and immediately became a stay-at-home Mom.
When he left and I began searching for a job, I was beginning to wonder if I'd ever find a decent job. I had no professional experience whatsoever and no one wanted to train me. I had a BA, but it had been so long since I had earned it. My children were young and needed daycare which is not provided here during evenings and weekends. And I have no family here to help me.
It took me FIVE MONTHS to find a job..... as a receptionist..... the highest level of education required was a GED! I was their ONLY applicant who posessesed a college degree, which is why I was hired. It was a low paying job, but the hours were good, and there was room for advancement. I've been with that same organization for over 7 years. My title today is "Senior Office Manager." I went from answering phones to management.
I went from drawing a welfare check, foodstamps, medicaide, subsidized housing and daycare assistance to being almost completely off the welfare system. Today I still live in public housing (but pay the maximum rent and won't be here much longer) and the children are on PeachCare (a subsidized healthcare program in which I pay a premium but no deductibles.) We no longer qualify for any of the other welfare programs.
If I had NOT been educated, I would probably STILL be depending on taxpayers to put food on my table. I'm not totally off welfare... but I expect to be in two more years. If all goes as planned, I will be a single mother of five children who does not recieve child support payments, yet has still worked herself off welfare in less than 10 years! Now, THAT's impressive.... and I will owe it all to the fact that I am educated!
Once you have earned that education, it's one thing that no one can ever take from you!
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| 4/18/2008 7:09:43 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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mommaloma
Searcy, AR
age: 34
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I am graduating with my bachelor's after beginning college after the birth of my last child (fourth child). I have only recently been single. But it is hard work to go back to school with children whether you are married or not.
Not only am I making a better life for myself and my children, I am setting a good example for my children, although I do tell them don't wait to go to college, go right after high school.
A college education is priceless. Yeah, there is a monetary value, (my future income and the loans I will have to pay), but college has broadened my mind, and in many ways has given life new meaning, as I now have a passion and skills to make a difference in somebody else's life.
So, keep up the hard work, Meli. You'll make it. And it will be worth every minute of sweat and tears!
Way to go, Kathy!  
[Edited 4/18/2008 7:10:19 PM]
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| 4/21/2008 4:46:37 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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meli1982
Springfield, MA
age: 26
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thanks everyone for the support!
it's tough, and certainly not cheap! in another year or so i'll be transferring to a local for year college (i'm at the community college now) with a double major and a minor! it's a whole hell of a lot of work but in the end it will definitely be worth it.
congrats Kathy! keep doing what you are doing!
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| 4/22/2008 9:01:30 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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owensborogirl2
Owensboro, KY
age: 44
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meli I did go back to school,college, but I quit because it was to hard and the money.But I can say that I did finish my Ass. Degree in Medical Admin. Now I will be graduating in July.
It was hard work but now I am doing good. Just hang in there,it is worth it.
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| 4/24/2008 3:38:45 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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meli1982
Springfield, MA
age: 26
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thanks, i am.
i am just glad this semester is almost over...just a couple more weeks, then finals!
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| 4/26/2008 7:24:24 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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cortam89
Provo, UT
age: 37
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Yeap Im a single mom, working and goin to school...Its difficult to balance everything, studyn, doin homework,helpn the kids do homework, spendn time with them....My youngest Son is AUTISTIC and im goin to school for him..to be a Special Ed Teacher!!! School is so stressful but when I come home with an "A" on my final and my lil boy hugs me and says "good job mom", " I knew u cld do it","Im so proud of you, mom" I know its all worth it!!! Take a brk when needed, call in sick, take a hot bath and relax!!!!!! All of us Single Parents need to stick together!! GOOD LUCK I know you can do it!!!!
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| 4/26/2008 7:30:16 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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mommyoflexnbray
Pasadena, MD
age: 20
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I'm a single parent but I'm not going back to school to major in anything. I never got to finish high school and I don't want my girls to have their friends saying "Why doesn't your mom atleast have a GED". So thats what Im working on going back for and then I'll take it from there. It's also depressing to hear your own family even belittle you for not having a GED.
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| 4/27/2008 1:08:22 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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happylilbabygir
Alliance, OH
age: 29
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Hi, I'm a single mom of 3 kids and I will graduate with my Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Sociology in May '09. I will then get a job and go on to Grad school.
It is tough especially if the father doesn't make an effort to do his part. I do it all by myself although I will say that I'm cheating a little. I don't work. I also don't get child support for my children. So yeah, I take out the max amount of student loans. My final year, I may have to take out a loan from a bank just to finish my degree. I think this sucks but I'm willing to do it so that I can make a better life for myself and my children.
I get frustrated a lot and at times it seems like I will never be able to finish my degree. Sometimes, things just seem impossible. It just seems like there is no end at times. Sometimes I just want a break from it all. But I just have to keep my goals in mind, make sure I take good care of my kids and not let anything get in my way. If something does get in my way, I just have to think of what I can do to move it out of my way. As of this semester, I take time for myself. I've had to settle for getting a little lower grades this semester. I was getting mostly A's (GPA is 3.8) and this semester I may more B's than A's. I don't want it to be like that, but I'm happier and more relaxed now. So basically, don't forget to take care of yourself 
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| 4/28/2008 7:52:46 PM |
Any single parents going back to school? |
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meli1982
Springfield, MA
age: 26
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good luck to everyone! doesn't matter if you are in HS or college...whatever. if you are bettering yourself for your kids and yourself, that's all that matters.
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