to be considering university as a 30 year old lone parent?

[GoodWitchHunting]

Is it crazy?

I'm worried the kids will suffer because I selfishly want a career.

They will be 11 and 3 when the course starts.

Go for it. You will get financial support and think about what you want to achieve at the end of it. Why are you doing it? What career doors will it open? You are showing your children the value of education the first time around.

Think about why you want to do it, how it will benefit your family and it will most probably be selfless in that you want to do it to make life better for your children.

My sister did. Her children were a bit older. She has not regreted it. Go for it.

So the tax payer will support you while you retrain?

Work and do an open university course in the evenings.

I am a 27 year old lone parent just coming to the end of my first semester.

It's not been as hard as I thought (yet!) but have realised how important supportive family are to be able to get things done and being organised has helped a lot!

Do it .

If I didn't have to work I'd do it.

I did it at 30.... Ds was 4 at the time and did a full time degree with 2-3 part time jobs whilst also being a student rep... Then i did my masters and remarried during that and now almost finishing my phd havibg had dd mid way through.... I have never regretted going to uni and i have no family support nearby either

I say go for it. It will be difficult and you will need to be well organised, but it will be great for your children to see this. They will see that you value education, and how you organise your studies. All great life lessons.

JAMW what do you want her to do, claim benefits until the kids are years older. She's trying to get qualifications, don't squash that.

thanks for the suggestion jamw. But the tax payers are currently supporting me as I can't earn enough to cover my rent and childcare. I'm hoping this degree would solve that and everyone could sleep better at one less benefit grasper being in the world.

And JAMW, if the government didn't want people to do this, the money wouldn't be available for the OP, would it?

It's not crazy, it'll be hard work but you won't regret it. Have you got anyone who will look after your DC if one if them is ill? That was the only problem I had, but lecturers where I studied were understanding if I had to miss a seminar here or there.

It's great to see some positive posts though. One big concern is lack of family support. But I guess we could overcome that.

If I was able to go to Uni I might get off tax credits a bit sooner. As I can't I will be doing an OU course while juggling work, children and ill health. So it'll be years more benefits for me.

Another saying go for it.

I did my degree aged 32, finals with a newborn outside waiting for a feed. Slog but worth every minute.

DH graduates in June; also been a slog and in many ways a steeper learning curve for him but he does not regret his choice either.

I would hopefully have someone in an emergency like an illness but not a regular thing.

I'm hoping to get onto the social work degree. :)

If you know which uni you're considering OP, then find out what child care and other help exists. IME, some unis are much more helpful with this. So if you have a choice, then I would make that a factor in which one I applied to. Even if you never use the services, it's a good indication that they are understanding/supportive of parents studying.

Goodwitch Just do it! I've finally got my first bits of OU paperwork through after 2 years of meaning to get round to it. I have no idea how I'm going to juggle it, but as they say "a thousand mile journey starts with one step".

And you can work in the evenings: DH does.

If you are on benefits anyway better for the taxpayer that some of the costs of your living are repayable and that your tax give in later years is +++.

Well done everyone that went for it! Now, lend us some of that courage would you? Pretty please?

There's NOTHING selfish about wanting to expand your horizons, develop your skills, etc.
Much better for DCs to happy a happy, fulfilled and thriving parent than an 'available' but unfulfilled one.
So go for it, and very very good luck.

I think mockingjay makes a good poitn about different unis/childcare, though.

Go for it. I did it at 35 as a single parent. I thoroughly enjoyed it and received a professional qualification at the end of it. It was hard work at times as some of the academic demands seemed to conflict with family life and needed a lot of juggling (e.g. making study time, and lots of essays to be done over the Christmas period etc, though your course may be different).

FWIW the 'state' did not support me. I received a student loan which I am now paying off, and worked at weekends and out of term time. So anyone making assumptions, stick that up your derriere.

Blimey, you can't do right for doing wrong as a single parent sometimes.

Goodwitch don't think about the whole degree course, just think about it as applying to the university. It seems undoable if you think about the whole lot at once! Best of luck to you.

It seems there is help with childcare etc.

I'm just worried about fitting it in but I know it must be possible.

I'm in my first year of my social work degree. PM me if u want any advice or anything.

Best decision I ever made though and I love it

I'm all booked for a mature student open day! I'll be able to ask ask questions and check out the campus. I'm pretty excited now!