open university, should i do a degree?

[mimi03]

I have a 5 month old baby, i am a full time mum, not working anymore.

I have nothing to do allday other than look after the little one and have always wanted to do BA HONS childhood and youth studies.

The first course is 60 points and requires 16hrs study time a week.

Do you think i can do this with a baby? has anyone else out there done a similair kind of thing with a baby? Bare in mind i have no one i can get to baby sit so i would have to do the study in the eve when hes gone to bed...... could i end up regretting taking it on? any advice from ou students much appriciated!!!!

[SenoraPostrophe]

I haven't done a degree, but I do work around 20 hours a week with a baby - I work nap times (=3 hours a day) plus I have a mother's help for 2 afternoons a week. It's not too bad, although housework does get neglexcted. but then it got neglected before...

nb do not attempt to work while the baby is awake and in your care.

[SenoraPostrophe]

just re-read your post. does he not nap? evenings are not the best time of day to study. ds2 (the baby) sleeps less at night so he can have nice long daytime naps.

[mimi03]

he only naps for about 30 mins in the day, can i ask how long does ur mothers help come round for and whats the going rate of pay?

[allgonebellyup]

do it!!
its really quite easy, i did 5 lots of 60point courses as a single mum with a baby AND a toddler..
its not as hard as they make it sound and you dont always have to do that many hours!!

[prettypurpledaisy]

Try it if it doesn't work out at least you gave it a go. I talked myself out of it when dd and ds were babies and have regretted it, I have done it more recently now they are older it has bee a struggle sometimes juggling home, work and study, but I could have been teaching now if I had had the courage to try it 10 years ago and not still have two more courses to take to complete my degree.
Good luck with it you will enjoy it!

[mimi03]

allgonebellyup- wow you did it with baby and toddler! wasnt sure when they said 16hrs study a week, i thought 'yeah maybe for someone whos organized and sure of everything- will probably take me 20hrs a week' when did you find the time to study? did you have a babysitter?
Im thinking if i start now i could be qualified by the time little one starts school. thanks everyone for your responses.

[countrylass]

I would say to go for it!

I did a full time degree (over 3 years) and started when my ds was 3; although I had childcare during the day when I was at university, the majority of my studying was in the evening when ds was in bed.

As long as you are prepared to give up the majority of your evenings during 'term' time, you can do it.

[allgonebellyup]

mimi, i am the world's laziest student, some weeks i didnt study AT ALL, then when there were weeks where i had to work towards an assignment i would do a couple of hours every evening, say 8.30-10.30 when both kids were asleep.
i still did well in exams through cramming the night before, and passed everything!!

good luck