Getting an education is crucial to attaining independence as a single parent. Without it you can never make enough money to be completely financially stable. After a divorce the thought of going back to school can be daunting. Chances are you are working full time just trying to make enough to keep food on the table as it is. You may be afraid of the added expense of going to school. However, going to college doesn’t have to be expensive. There are lots of government grants and scholarships specifically designed to help single mothers go back to school.
Going back to school when you have children isn’t easy, trust me I know, because I am doing it. When I got divorced I had a choice. I could go back to work and find a tiny little one bedroom apartment, or I could move back in with my parents and go back to school full time instead. It was a tough decision. I desperately wanted to hold on to some independence and I hated the thought of becoming a burden on my parents, but I knew that the only way I would be able to support my son long term was to finish my degree. So I went back to school. Is it hard to find time to study? Yes, undoubtedly it is a struggle trying to balance being a single mother and going to school. There are times when I end up studying all night long and still have to get up to take care of my son bright and early in the morning. It is exhausting, but I know that in the end it will be worth it to be able to truly support my son.
Now, I know that many single parents aren’t blessed with the same options I was. I was lucky enough that my parents were willing to take my son and I in for the duration of my schooling. But keep in mind that even if you are only taking a class or two at a time it still puts you one step closer to financial independence. It isn’t easy, but you can do it. Show your children how important it is to get an education, even when everything is weighing against you.