Juggling College and Motherhood

As a mother of four (well five if you include the big one) who has spent most of her eight years of marriage being a house wife, it occurred to me one day. "I don't know how to do anything." More specifically I didn't know how to do anything that would bring in any income.

There it was, plain and simple. What would happen to me and my children if (heaven forbid) something happened to my husband? There is absolutely no way that I would be able to support our family working in a fast food restaurant.

This epiphany happened while my husband was in Iraq, so just for kicks I filled out the FAFSA, (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) then I filled out the application for the local community college, and then I forgot about all of it.

Eventually I got a letter stating that I was accepted into the college. I never replied back. But shortly before the fall semester started I received a letter from Federal financial aid saying that they would give me enough to cover going to school full time. That was it, I was certain of what I wanted and I went through the entire process of orientation, choosing classes, and registering within about week and then...I was a college student.

Over the last year there have been so many people who say to me "I don't know how you do it." When people say this, it actually makes me feel good because if it was easy I know that I wouldn't feel as proud when finally hold my degree in my hand.

With four children and a husband, a house hold to run, and classes, not to mention my writing, I don't have much time for anything else. What it means to be a mom and a college student is a lot of late nights, a lot of worrying about everything, and patience. A lot of patience!

There are times when I need to write a paper and I have forgo the house cleaning, there are times when the kids and family need me and I need to put off homework. Then there are the times when I get sick and have to keep going, when you're a mom you can't call in sick, you just keep going.

I know several moms who tell me they don't have the time to go to school. I am an avid supporter of online classes. These online classes mean that we do have the time. I am proof. If I can raise four kids and still have time to earn a degree, than so can anyone else. Online classes are great because you can do them at home anytime.

I hope that my experience with college and being a mom can help other moms to realize that we are never limited. You can do anything that you want to do, if you put your mind to it and really want to.