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How Did I Return To School As A Working Mom?
I’m too busy.
The house would fall apart.
My kids need me.
I don’t even remember how to write a paper.
If you’re anything like me twelve years ago, this is what you think about when you consider returning to school.
Hi, I’m Lisa Martinez DeVinney, and I survived grad school as a working mom.
Lisa (mid-right holding the program) and her graduating class
Going to school made me realize I am much stronger than I thought I was. Let me share my story of how I made it work.
My Motivation
Admittedly, the thought of hitting the books again scared me. Could I balance being a full-time mom, working, and going back to school? Would I remember how to write a paper?
When I thought about being a role model for my children, it stirred something in me. When I thought about achieving my goal since the ‘90s, I knew I didn't want this to be one of my biggest regrets.
So, I took the plunge and enrolled in our Master of Strategic Leadership (MSL) program.
My motivations weren’t just emotional but financial as well. And this paid off before I even graduated – I received a promotion in my final program semester. And it keeps paying back, as I’ve worked my way from being an Admissions Coordinator to being the Director of Recruiting here at Roberts.
And now… it’s your turn. Your degree could be what’s missing for your next big promotion. Let’s figure out how to get there together.
My Advice
- Focus on your “why”
- Find a program built for you
- Build it into your schedule
- Involve your kids
- Lean on your support
Focus On Your Why
Why do you want this degree?
For me, it was a mix of career advancement, personal accomplishment, and being a role model for my kids.
I pictured what I wanted to be able to tell my kids. I know how it feels to struggle with homework. If your mom can do it, so can you. I'll help.
When I crossed the graduation stage that May, my husband and children were there to cheer me on.
Your turn: write down the answer to “why do I want this degree?” and “how do I want it to shape my career?”
My son, Will, playing hockey
Find a program built for you
One of the strangest places I’ve done homework was in a chilly hockey rink during my son's practice. It turns out that all the “wait around” time for the kids’ activities turned out to be the perfect time to work on homework!
If my classes hadn’t been only one night a week, I would’ve had to arrange my family life around school. I can’t imagine how many special moments I would’ve missed if I was stuck in a classroom. Instead, thanks to the flexibility of my program, I was able to prioritize my family above school without sacrificing my grades.
Your turn: look for an “asynchronous” online program. This means classes aren’t live.
Check your calendar for study opportunities!
Build it into your schedule
Life is busy - and at the same time, after reflecting on my calendar, I realized I had a lot more free time than I thought I did.
For example, you could decide to study regularly:
- A few hours on the weekend
- 30-60 minutes during your lunch break
- An hour after the kids go to bed
Your turn: look at your calendar and block out study sessions. These can be as short as 10 minutes or as long as an hour.
Could you do homework alongside your kids?
Involve Your Kids
I remember sitting down with my kids in the evenings and on weekends to do homework together at the dining room table. If Mom has to do homework, so do you!
There were many benefits to scheduling homework time with my family.
- I got to spend more time with them
- They learned how to schedule and prioritize their homework
- They interrupted me less often because they were busy at the same time
Could a nearby loved one babysit your kids so you can focus?
Lean on your support
My husband, Scott, was my rock throughout the program. He stepped up to cook, clean, and do more than I can list.
At times, I leaned on friends to help carpool the kids around so I could focus on school. The kids took on new chores. And I made time for my mental health by stepping away and taking a brisk walk when necessary.
Your turn: name three people in your life who could help out with housework and babysitting.
Are you ready?
That was a trick question. You might not ever “feel” ready. But like I said, you are stronger than you know.
I waited over twenty years before enrolling in my program. My only regret about school is that I didn’t start sooner!
You can do this. I believe in you.