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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think I can do a pt degree with 3 kids.

19 replies

ottermadness · 17/08/2020 21:19

Just this really. I have three little ones (5, 3, 6m) is it a daft idea to take on a pt degree course to retrain at the moment?

OP posts:
isittimetogotobed · 17/08/2020 21:19

Yes you can, I did a full time degree with four kids and it was the best thing I ever did!! Go for it

CazM2012 · 17/08/2020 21:22

I’m 2 years away from my honours degree, started prt time with OU when I had 2 kids 5 years ago, gave birth to 2 more whilst doing it from home. Hard sometimes to find the time and enthusiasm for it but I love my time doing it.

HotPatootiebootie · 17/08/2020 21:24

Yes you can. I did a part time degree and then a masters with 4 kids. Took me longer than expected but I did it. Two of those mentioned kids have extra needs and I suffer with several auto immune diseases and an also bipolar. Oddly I found it easier when they were younger as I had to be strict about fitting study in when they were in bed etc.

Do it. If you hate it it can't manage you can't take a break. Me 4 years of full time study was spread over 12 years but I did it!

gwilt · 17/08/2020 21:25

My friend did it with 6. Go for it Grin

Sayitagainwhydontyou · 17/08/2020 21:29

Depends entirely on whether you've got the cash to pay for nurseries, or a DP who can work part time to take over childcare while you study.

Also depends on the course, amount of distance learning, hands-on practical lessons, etc.

I'd personally wait until 5 and 3 are at school full time.

madcatladyforever · 17/08/2020 21:32

My aunt did two degrees with four young children.

Borderscotch · 17/08/2020 21:49

I worked full time and did a part time. degree, started, then had dc1, followed by dc2. It was hard work but I think it was easier when they were smaller, at 12 and 8 I would find it harder now as they don't go to bed early!

Icanflyhigh · 17/08/2020 21:56

You definitely can do this! I had my DD2 half way through my degree, she was very obliging and born out of term time, and uni were great, allowed me to have her with me in lectures as I was EBF when I returned in the September.

Had DC3 a week before I graduated, and already had DD1 aged 6 and DD2 aged 2.

HavelockVetinari · 17/08/2020 22:00

It's not necessarily about whether you can per se, more about whether you have the support to do it and whether it will genuinely improve your earning capacity more than e.g. an apprenticeship with training.

Is your DC's father supportive, and is the degree likely to lead to guaranteed earnings?

SheldonSaysSo1 · 17/08/2020 22:04

Yes you can definitely do it, what are you looking at doing? Is it with Open University? I'd add a caveat that you need to have a decent chunk of childfree time to devote to your studies and preferably the ability to get more if needed. A lot depends on what your previous level of study is like (will impact how easy it is to hit the ground running) and also how good you are at self motivating. Take it one term at a time, keep your eye on the short term and try to get ahead at every opportunity.

HappySpade · 17/08/2020 22:05

Go for it!! I went out to finish my degree when I had a 4 month old.

peajotter · 17/08/2020 22:14

Would there be options to pause or delay if it didn’t go to plan, or are the deadlines/costs fixed?

Would you have any childcare or would you be doing it in evenings etc? What happens if the kids get ill, stop sleeping etc, will your dh take a shift or is it still your job?

It’s theoretically doable but make sure you’ve got your backup plans as kids don’t always fit in with our ideals!

SerenaSandwich · 17/08/2020 22:19

I think if you have some form of childcare it would be fine. At least one day a week where all the DC are being cared for by someone else. If not, I personally would find it tough. That's not to say it can't be done of course!

YesINameChangeEveryDay · 17/08/2020 22:21

If you have childcare then you should be fine. A family member of mine is a single mum to 2 kids, works 2 part time jobs and is doing an OU degree.
I am in awe of her tbf though.

PatriciaPerch · 17/08/2020 22:21

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gah2teenagers · 17/08/2020 22:30

Go for it. You have up to 6 years and ask for extensions if you really need them. I’ve found them to be very flexible and supportive.

lanthanum · 17/08/2020 22:49

Witht the OU, more than 6 years, even, depending on subject. 6 years is if you do 60 credits a year - the full honours degree is 60 credits. For some subjects the modules are 60 credits, but for some they are 30 credits, so you can choose to do 30/60/90/120 credits a year (120 is full-time). It's also possible to take a break (eg if there's a child number four!) - you have up to 16 years to complete.

EcoCustard · 17/08/2020 23:00

Yes you can. I am half way through a degree with the OU. Been at it 3 years now. I have 4 kids (5,4,3 & 1). Hoping to do my level 3 modules full time next year when my 3rd child starts school.
My only support is my husband, study late into the night after the kids go to bed and prior to lockdown some Saturdays in the library. No childcare that takes all the kids, as they are going off to school it’s getting easier and I have more energy to study at night.

JaneJack23 · 17/08/2020 23:04

Of course you can!! You don't need to get the best grades, a pass will do! I'm halfway through my Masters and have 3 little ones.

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