Single parenting can be exhausting, especially when your kids are little. Still, that doesn’t mean you should give up on all your life goals or even put them on hold. Waiting until your kids are grown up could make it difficult to transition into a new career or explore entrepreneurship.
If you want to advance your career or start a business, then you might be considering an MBA to help you gain the skills you’ll need to be successful. But is it a good idea to go back to school as a single parent? If you’re trying to decide whether going back to school for an MBA as a single parent is a good idea, here are some things to consider.
Be Realistic. Do You Have Enough Time?
As a single parent, time is something you never have enough of. It’s can be a challenge just to make sure your kids are fed, relatively clean, and in bed on time. If you work full-time, then juggle all the daily responsibilities of your job, taking care of your kids and making sure the household tasks are done, then you probably don’t have much time left over.
Just because you’re busy, that doesn’t mean you can’t go back to school; it just might mean you need to get creative. Can you study before your kids get up in the morning or after they go to bed? Can you streamline some of your tasks or hire some help?
Be realistic about how many hours are in the day and what you need to get done. You really might not have enough time to go back to school right now — but maybe you do. Single parents go back to school successfully all the time, so don’t write it off before you think critically about your time and obligations.
How Old Are Your Kids?
If your kids are still really young and not going to school yet, then trying to fit your own school goals into the picture might be tough. Older kids have more independence and don’t need your full attention 24/7.
All kids need time with their parents, of course, but it’s going to be a lot easier to go back to school if your kids have school, sleepovers, and other events that will give you more time to work on your degree.
How Fast Do You Want to Finish Your MBA?
Many single parents who go back to school for a master’s degree choose to go part-time, taking only a few classes at once. Full-time, a master’s degree should take only a couple of years to complete. Part-time, it can take much longer.
Pursuing a degree part-time is a great compromise for some people. Others would rather wait until they can go full-time and focus on school more fully.
Are You Planning to Attend In-Person Classes?
In-person classes offer benefits like enhanced networking opportunities, but there are also several downsides to the traditional classroom. Commute times and inflexible class schedules can make going back to school impractical for single parents.
Online MBA programs are often a better fit for people who need flexibility and convenience. If you choose to attend an online program, you might be able to fit it into your busy schedule more easily, especially if you choose to take only a class or two at a time.
What are Your Goals?
Why do you want to get an MBA? It’s a big commitment, in terms of time and money, especially for single parents. Before you decide to pursue an MBA, get clear on your goals. Do you know where you want to be in your career 5 or 10 years down the road? It pays to decide what you want from an MBA program before you add school to everything else on your plate.
Should You Go Back to School?
Every parent’s situation is different. Only you know if you have the bandwidth for another major obligation. Sometimes, it’s worth giving up the small amount of free time you have for a few years so that you can get ahead. On the other hand, you might decide that the amount of stress it will add to your life simply isn’t worth it, at least right now.
An MBA can be a useful tool in helping you climb the corporate ladder or start a successful business. Will it be hard to go back to school as a single parent? Definitely. But it could also serve as an important lesson for your children while helping you advance your career.
You are your kids’ role model. It’s important for you to be there for them. It’s also important for you to show them that valuing yourself and your goals matter too. Ultimately, you need to consider all of these factors and make the decision that’s right for your family. Business school will be there, whether you enroll next month or in 10 years!
—
This content is made possible by Andrew Deen.
Photo credit: Shutterstock