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Lone parents

Use our Single Parent forum to speak to other parents raising a child alone.

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Original poster

Is anyone doing a degree or starting one this Sept?

12 replies

fairyfly · 18/08/2006 12:19

I'm going off benefits and really would like to speak to someone who has done the same as childcare, rent and the cost of living is starting to scare me witless. DO you manage?

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Original poster

fairyfly · 18/08/2006 12:32

Also everyone told me it would be part time hours but its full time and my kids will be in after school club everyday. Does it make you feel guilty?

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mellowma · 18/08/2006 12:45

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FioFio · 18/08/2006 12:48

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Original poster

fairyfly · 18/08/2006 12:51

I'm applying for everything now but the uncertainty of what i will get and the constant form filling is making me want to run away.

Also the thought of picking them up when it's nearly their bedtime makes me feel crappy. I do reassure myself with the fact that when i graduate i can hopefully provide them with a better standard of living.

Good luck with your course, what is it you're doing, 2 days is nothing btw, it will probably do your child good.

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Original poster

fairyfly · 18/08/2006 12:56

I haven't heard anything either fio and i ve just been told they should have sent me forms weeks ago for my childcare grant.I'm on the phone now to them listening to soft porn music, i can feel my blood pressure rising even before the bloody essay writing has started.

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mellowma · 18/08/2006 13:12

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Original poster

fairyfly · 18/08/2006 13:23

I think 2 days is a good balance Mellowma, especially when a child only spends time with you.
It helps with the clinginess you can sometimes get.If you do it from home you could be less motivated. I have just finished a diploma and i would have dropped out if it wasn't for the encouragement of my teachers. It was also really helful in regaining my identity as a person. Get out there!

I'm starting a degree in Graphic Design.

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nikkie · 18/08/2006 19:13

I was doing open university, and was going to restart in September but have missed the date for enrolling and will have to joint he next date.I am not very motivated though and get easily side tracked after work!
Where are you going to FF?
Is it close by ?Thats what put me off going to Uni as I would have to travel at least an hour 1/4 each way to the nearest one.

Rootsie · 18/08/2006 22:04

I too am starting university in September and know excatly what you mean about forms and childcare grants etc have tried to get someone to help me work out the financial aspects with no joy and just get really confused when I try to do it myself (mainly because I can't quite see how I can be so poor!) I am determined to go ahead tho. it will be great!

SofiaAmes · 19/08/2006 07:44

fairyfly...good for you for going back to school (as we call it in the usa). My dh is entering his second year of an hnd diploma and it's been really wonderful for him. It is hard not earning. But it will absolutely be worth it in the end.
And as advice from a working mother (I happen to have 3 degrees, but did them before having children)....your kids will LOVE being in the after school club. Both of mine are and the only part they don't like is when I show up too early to pick them up as it generally interupts some fun activity they are doing. You may want to consider moving their bed time a little later so that you can spend time with them...do this 10 minutes a day and you'll get there without pain. We have dinner together every night and then the kids go to bed at 8pm and then I do work or dh does homework after they are asleep. On the days that dh doesn't have class, the kids are still in childcare so that he can do his homework during the day.

littlelamb · 20/08/2006 13:37

I have just graduated, having had my dd at the end of my first year and I can honestly say I don't regret a second of it. If it is a full time uni course you should be entitled to a full loan, plus childcare grant to cover 80% of the rest. My dd was at the university nursery, and they subsidised the fees, meaning I only had to pay a few hundred pounds a term from my own pocket. As far as I am aware, your housing benefit will probably remain unchanged, but worth checking. If you do get into difficulty you should be entitled to some quite large grants from the university access to learning fund, without which I honestly would have struggled. I recieved hardship grants of almost £2000 in each of my last two years. The financial aspect of it IS daunting, but your university really will do all it can to help you, and the feeling you get when you walk across the stage at the end of the three years to collect your degree makes it all worthwhile

Judy1234 · 29/08/2006 12:29

In September I will have 3 children there.... and supporting them.
Don't worry about after school clubs. Sometimes I put my little twins in theirs and they love it.

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