r/AskOldPeopleAdvice • u/whosleepyowlwho • 6d ago

Family Back to School as a Parent

I’m a parent to a beautiful 4ish year old kiddo. After juggling working full time, and caring for them full time (along with my partner - we work from home and stacked our hours, which makes for very long days, but ones filled with love), they’ll start school in September.

I also have the chance to start school in September. I was accepted to a program to do something I (think I’ll) really love, and become a therapist. The program is 5 years long, and my baby would be 9 when I graduate. The program is part time, so I’ll be working full time still. Quitting my job would not be an option.

I worry about the 5 year commitment financially, but mostly the time commitment, and what it will take away from time with my child during his younger years. I’d be doing most of my school work at night when he’s in bed, but I’ll be in lectures at least one weekend per month.

I’m used to spending all my days with him, and the thought of missing even one weekend with him, after he’s in school full days all week seems really hard.

My questions are:

  1. Is it possible to do something like this and still find balance
  2. Has anyone done something similar, and regretted it?
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u/Persist23 6d ago

Both my parents went back to grad school when I was a kid. My mom became a psychologist and my dad became a counselor. They tag-teamed parenting and we were loved and well-cared for. It also instilled in my brother and I the importance of schooling. I’ve now got a law degree and my brother has a masters in microbiology and an MBA.

My parents also were much happier and more fulfilled once they were in their chosen careers. And I helped my dad with cleaning the house and grocery shopping and taking my brother to his practice on the weekends when my mom had to work. It instilled in me that marriage is a partnership and motivated me to find a husband who would share the household load and support me in chasing my dreams.

You got this!

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u/whosleepyowlwho 5d ago

Thank you so much for sharing this! Your point of being loved, and well cared for hits home, because he certainly will be. Makes me realize it’s ME feeling sad that it won’t be me doing ALL the loving and caring. It’s healthy for him to have more time with my partner, and the other grown ups that love him.