My daughter is 6 years old, and now I am 24. I had her when I was 17. I am coping fine with mothering...except, I really feel like there's nowhere for me to go from here now.
At the time when I had Hailey, my daughter, I was a different person...a rebel. Sex, drugs, everything. School was the last and least important thing on my list. And now I'm older, and I've realized that I am meant to be an academic...but how? I haven't even finished high-school.
The most important thing to me now is teaching Hailey the importance of education, and the environment... but I am a waitress...and nothing for her to look up to. Ironically, it was having her that made me see how important education is, and her which caused me to drop out.
Where the hell do I go from here...
Its not too late. You can get your GED, and then enroll in college. Go to your local community college and talk to someone, tell them what you want to do with your life. As a mom, you're eligible for financial aid.
I'm 24, with three children, and I'm doing it. You can do it as well.
There's nothing at all wrong with being a waitress, in fact I kinda loved it. But the hours were always inconvenient, and I couldn't count on having the same amount of money each week. So I do understand where you're coming from.
Just because you're a 24 year old mom, doesn't mean you can't go back to school. There are lots of women on this board who are either doing it right now or have done it.
(The mods may move this post to another forum, so don't be surprised if you don't find it in Social Justice later)
Really look into diffrent options of getting your GED And enroll in college. There's finachail aid tons of scholarships and diffrent opitions for classes. In class, through TV or on-line. PM me and mabe I can help.
Hey, I'm moving this to Your Stories, where it may get more replies. :)
As others said, you can go back to school no matter how old you are! You can get your GED since you didn't finish high school, and there are many colleges with scholarship programs, financial aid, and student loans. Check out this article for more info on paying for school:
http://www.girl-mom.com/node/94
If finding time to attend classes is a problem for you, many community colleges offer online courses, where you can do the work from home when it's convenient for you. They also offer morning, afternoon, and evening classes, so there's usually something that works out for everyone.
You can do this, mama! Many of the members here are in varying stages of completing our education. I went back to college this year at 22, and I also work and have a 4 year old. It can definitely be done. Sit down and make a plan, and call around and get started. Good luck, and feel free to ask if you have any questions!
I'm 25 with a 6 year-old, a high school dropout and reformed rebel too. I just graduated yesterday with 2 bachelors degrees. It can be done! The thing I had to realize was that going to school would never be a stable thing. Every semester I had a crisis. At the start of every year and at every summer I was never sure if I had the money to go. But it all worked out in the end.
Wow, congrats, Seyva! :)
I pretty much agree with the other posters. The thing about having kids young is that, well, we're young. We've got a ton of time ahead of us, generally speaking, and there's no reason for us to feel restricted in what we can do, and hell, we can take as long as we want. If you feel that completing or continuing your educations is right for you, go for it! Like the above posters mentioned, you can both parent successfully and educate yourself successfully. You can even work, too, if that's the situation you're in/want to be in.
I'm finishing up my 3rd year of university right now, and I've had my son the entire time I've been enrolled. Honestly, I can't imagine having done it without him. Additionally, he's given me such a strong sense of responsibility that motivates me to move forward, no matter what, because I know what I'm doing is for the benefit of both of us (in terms of our lives).
Furthermore, I'm dirt poor. I've managed to work with loans and federal/provincial programs to make this work, and make it so that I can be a full time student, with my son in preschool, without having to work. If you're in Canada, I gan give you some more specific advice. Bottom line, having a child isn't the end of the world. You can raise one well and do what you want in life at the same time. It is more difficult, but not impossible, and success, whenever it comes, will only be that much sweeter. (My son thinks it's so cool that we're both in school, and both have backpacks. My SO works, and my son thinks he's a complete oddball :wink: )
Good luck :)
Yes, you can do it. I started going to school full-time at 21 after being underemployed since high school. ( i had a few credits before). I am 24 now and have a four-year old and I will receive my BA on Saturday. It wasn't all easy, but I'm so glad I did it. I attended a community college for two years and then transferred. I met moms with kids of all ages who were in similar situations. Please feel free to let me know if you have any questions about college or financial aid. THere are many moms here in school. Let us know what you need.