How to Be a Single Parent, Have a Career, and Be a College Student

Nowadays there are so many women that are having children right out of high school. This starts a domino effect of issues that can arise, such as trying to find a decent paying job with no college degree or experience in the field you choose, trying to get your college degree or work full time while trying to spend time with your child. It is becoming even more difficult especially nowadays with the job markets so poor. However don't lose hope there are definite way to work your schedule and life to allow you to not only spend time with your child but work full time, and go to college to get your degree.

First step is take advantage of the hours when your baby is young. Infants are usually more awake during daylight hours so if you get a job at nights you lose less important time with them. Perfect jobs that usually do not require experience or a degree would be your local call centers for Sprint, T-Mobile, or even Progressive. The pay is good, and usually call centers are more willing to work you different schedules. You can also get benefits through such a large company; Ford Motor Credit even offers in house daycare for children along with USAA as well.

Also when your child is an infant taking 2 classes a semester at your local college should not be out of reach. Classes are usually an hour and only 2 days a week. If you do not have family to watch your wee one, contemplate the ads on campus there are always students looking to baby sit for extra money or maybe you can trade babysitting with another parent. The great perk to being a single parent is the Pell grants and student loans you will receive to go to college. It is rare that money will actually have to come out of your own pocket for classes. Most colleges even have student cards you can use to purchase books that will apply to your loans.

Now if you do not want to leave for anything but work, many colleges offer online courses. Colleges such as University of Phoenix, Regis University, and Walden University offer online courses and they are legitimate colleges. This allows you to work evening and fit in classes and homework when your baby is sleeping or whenever you have a moment to sit and breathe.

As your baby grows working evenings is still a great idea because than you are getting all day long to play and interact, and only have to leave as they are settling down for the night. Once they hit Kindergarten age is when you can flip schedules and start working while your little one is in school. This works out for both of you and there is no time missed.

Now for ideas on who to watch your child all these evenings, you can always talk with parents or siblings, maybe even grandparents depending on their age. If family is out of the question, is your child's father around could you arrange custody in a way that suits both your needs. Also sometimes finding a roommate with the same concerns is good. Also remember after potty training there are cheaper preschool option with places like the YMCA that have classes part time and full time for young ones.

Eventually as your child grows taking online courses get much easier and you have more time to dedicate to y our classes and can even take accelerates courses to finish your degree faster. However ultimately to work full time, go to school and be the best parent you can be all you would ever have to do is be away from your child during work hours. Otherwise even time studying can be made a game between mom and baby. This kind of schedule allows more freedom and chances to bond than an 8-5 job that takes away from all your time anyway. The late nights and early morning will be rough in the beginning but you learn napping when your baby naps is key, and having all the time to spend with your child or children is worth every bit of discomfort.