Family, Homeschooling and Further Education – Can You Make It Work?

Whilst family should always come first, there may come a time when you need to enroll on a further education course, whether to improve your employment prospects or simply to broaden your mind. It can be hard juggling multiple commitments, and if you home school your kids, too, you will find it even more difficult. Despite the problems, many families can and do make it work, so if you are thinking of enrolling on a doctorate in nursing practice, here are some tips to help you complete your doctor of nursing practice from Bradley University stress-free.

You Need a Supportive Spouse

The first thing you need is a supportive spouse. Studying for an advanced graduate qualification is tough enough without dealing with a spouse who firmly believes you are wasting your time. Marriage is a union in the fullest sense of the word, so it is important that we support each others endeavors to the best of our ability.

If your spouse is not as supportive of your educational aspirations as they might be, talk to them. Avoid being confrontational, even if you are upset at their perceived lack of support. See if you can find out what the issue is. You may discover that your spouse is concerned you won’t have time for them or the family, or they could be worried about a loss of income if you are quitting work to study.

Be empathetic and put yourself in your spouse’s shoes. Look for solutions to problems and don’t allow the conversation to become confrontational. You both have an opinion, so listen. If you struggle to find a solution to your issues, consider talking to family members, friends or your local pastor to see if they can act as a mediator. Oftentimes, an objective outsider can offer sensible advice because they are not emotionally involved in the dispute.

Study Online

One way to cut down on some of the issues that may arise if you return to school is to study online instead. Many reputable universities now offer online degree and post-grad study programs. These are more flexible than traditional brick and mortar courses, so they are very popular with mature students who have families to take care of.

Home school Lessons

Whether you choose to study online or not, adding home schooled kids into the mix creates a whole host of new issues. If your kids are at home instead of going to school, you will have less free time to study. However, one way around this is to plan lessons where you have half an hour to hit the books while your kids do some self-learning activities. Luckily, technology makes this eminently possible, as there are some great teaching resources online.

Let Household Chores take a Back Seat

You may have to turn a blind eye to some of the less important household chores if you are embarking on a study program. If you can’t do this, ask the kids to help more.

Further education is a blessing in more ways than one. The skills you learn benefit not only you, but also the wider community, so why not give it a shot.

Guest Writer, Maggie Hammond is a retired nurse and freelance writer. An advocate for public health and nursing qualifications, she feels passionate about raising awareness of the current strain on public health organizations.