Training to be Ed Psych with young or old kids

[SarahBcn]

For a while I’ve been thinking about becoming an Ed Psychologist. I’ve been a teacher for 10 years plus, now a specialist teacher and I have an MSc Psychology conversion. I think I could be facing redundancy soon and this could be a good opportunity to apply for the doctorate. My kids would be around 7 and 11. Is this a good time to do it or would you say wait until they’re teenagers, more independent, less childcare etc. I know though through speaking to friends with older kids that the teenage years can be a time when they need you the most, and I’m very aware of how demanding the course would be, plus the commute to London from the south coast. Any experiences from Ed Psychs who have done the course with kids?

I did it with a 4 year old and loved it. Such a great time. If I could do it again I would . Finances can be tough but my Dh earned enough so with the bursary we were fine. I now earn much more than Dh now so it’s worked out.

I did it (well, CP not EP) when my kids were almost 7 and 10.5. I would whole heartedly say go for it. Your kids are old enough that they're 'independent' but young enough that the teen angst years are not yet upon you. I'm asked by aspiring psychologists about the 'best' way to get onto the doctorate and my answers is always go and work for a few years first! You'll discover what you like and dislike, understand the systems, the difficulties, the client groups, the wider aspects of the role - and be able to reflect on this at interview, and you'll get to know a bit more about what makes yourself tick, how best to motivate yourself in the midst of challenges etc etc. You sound like you've done exactly that already OP. Good luck!

I’m wondering the same, but unfortunately I’m the breadwinner and there are no DEdPsy courses near me. Teaching 20 years and have done the MSc conversion.

Maybe one day!