School

LittleNugget93

My due date is September 3rd and Fall Semester begins August 26th. I am considering take one easy online class Fall Semester so I can stay enrolled in the college but I worry that I won't be able to handle the stress of being a single mom with a newborn and a class.

I have always loved school and I have never struggled so I'm not worried about that. I just don't know if it is all worth it...especially if I am not getting any sleep because I'll be breastfeeding my daughter and doing this all on my own.

If any of you have advice on this, it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you  

ktedmon

I had to drop school this quarter due to early pregnancy complications. I hope to go back this summer, but I plan to take fall quarter off as it starts in October and I'm due in November. I hope to go back after the baby is born. As of right now, I only have 3 classes left until I am finished with my Master's.

Runaway22

How much help will you have with your newborn? I didn't have anyone around, and I know I could never have handled a class for at least the first 6 weeks. Newborns are really, really hard. They're awesome, but HARD. 

ETA: also, with BFing, you will have some days in those first couple of months where you only get boob breaks to pee and shower. Comfort nursing is really important for establishing your milk supply, but it definitely ties you to the kid, and the couch or bed, wherever you're camped out for the day.

I hope I'm not coming off too negative. Squishy babies really are the bees knees  

babymama619

I'll be taking one easy online class at the time my LO is born b/c I need access to the excess financial aid. (Meaning I will take out the amount for the class and some extra and I can't take out a loan w/o being in class.) 

If this is the case for you, or  you are in a program that you are trying to wrap up or stay on a specific time line then I say take the class. If not, take the term off, and enjoy yourself, and just be MOM! If you are worried about student loans going into repayment, you can apply for forbearance.

tracy41

Ditto it depends in how much help you have. I had just been accepted to a Master's program when I found out I was pregnant with LO and I knew there was no way I could juggle full time job, school, and two kids. They let me defer a year but I just had to decline again because I knew I still couldn't do it. Maybe I'll be able to reapply in a year or two. If you'll have help you could probably swing it with one though!

MommyKristin88

I was a single mom for the first 2 years of my daughter's life. I started working on my Associates online 2 months after she was born. I completely it ontime.

It won't be easy, and it takes dedication, but you can definitely do it!! Having a good support system was key for me. I knew I could always depend on my mom to watch my daughter if I needed to study or get some homework done.

By the way, I breastfed my daughter for 19 months. I am confused as to why you think breastfeeding would prohibit you from succeeding in an online class? I am seriously asking, so please explain.

pregokat

My experience with going to school and being a single mom-  

I was a 4.0 student, a new semester started when my son was only 3 wks old and I took 2 classes.. I'm determined to graduate asap so I can make a good life for him.. I've always loved school, it comes easy to me and I don't struggle as much (until i tried going to school as a new mom lol )

I got a B in one of my classes, and an A in the other... So my Gpa took a little hit.. I was sad because they grow so so so much during the first few months, and you can never get that time back.. So I missed spending time with him..

It was difficult to do homework/school work because I had a little baby that needed my attention

He only eats breast milk, so that was very time consuming and difficult the first 3 months, balancing, nursing, pumping, school and work.. after that it gets easier because the baby wont be eating all the time. I think its definately worth it to stick it through and breast feed as long as possible, its healthiest for the baby.  (good for you for wanting to exclusively breast feed!)

 It is definately worth it but it is a lot of work. 

If I could go back I might just take the semester off like everyone told me I should (I'm stubborn and wouldn't take anyones advice)

But  I  am happier that I survived and completed my classes because I am "that" much closer to graduation 

good luck!!  

MomToNeeners

I found out I was pregnant right before starting nursing school. I had to take a semester off. I went back to school at 6weeks. I'm glad I took time with enjoy my DD, but if it's online and it's just one class, I would go for it. It's gonna be easier than having to get stuff together to leave and drive and all that jazz.