Back to studies after babies? Share your hacks for managing studies and parenthood! - £200 voucher to be won

[EllieSmumsnet]

Balancing parenting with career or educational goals can be challenging, but that’s where flexible online studies can be a game-changer! With tailored schedules and distance learning at your own pace, online courses make it possible to build new skills alongside parenting. We’d love to hear how you’re making it work! How do you fit study time around naps, playdates, or bedtime routines? Have you found ways to stay organised and motivated, or tricks for keeping little ones entertained while you study? Share your best hacks below to help others balancing online learning with parenthood.

• Post your stories and tips in the thread below to be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky MNer will win a £200 VEX voucher for a store of their choice.
• Don’t forget to vote in our poll below.

About The Open University:
"At The Open University, we recognize that many mothers feel they must choose between supporting their families and advancing their careers. However, with our flexible, remote study options, they don’t have to make that choice. Our accessible learning model allows mothers to balance education with family life while receiving dedicated tutor support.

We also offer a range of financial support options, including childcare grants and the Parents’ Learning Allowance, to help manage study costs.

To discover how The Open University can empower you to advance your career, visit https://www.open.ac.uk/. Start dates are available as soon as February and April 2025. Remember, investing in yourself and your skills is not just a personal pursuit—it’s a valuable step towards a better lifestyle for you and your family. #FindYourMumentum"

Discover our guide to re-training with The Open University here.

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!

MNHQ

Insight T&Cs apply

My partner takes our DC out for the day, leaving me lots of time to study.

My tips are timetabling study slots, and explaining to your DC's why you need to take time out from them to study - if the slot is when they are wanting to be around you.

Tips and hacks are doable timetables - and be kind on yourself with time, 3 hours study is hard to achieve - I found 1 1/2 hour slots more effective.
If your DC's are old enough explain why you need to take yourself away to study.
Be open to change - studying with a family is difficult and unexpected events happen.

I've just finished a masters while working full time and being a parent.
I found studying this time round meant I needed to be much more organised than pre kids. I didn't want to be staying up all night to meet a dead line when I had work /kids the next day. I'd book time in my diary as if it was work. So organised childcare etc to make sure I had that time set in stone for studying.

You need to be really disciplined and have your 'goal' way ahead in your timeline, when I studied with young children, I went to bed when they did - at 8, and woke at 5 to prep for studying and had time slots through the day.
A whatapp group or teams group for students was really helpful to discuss tutorials.

My tips are to have schedule study, but also build in breaks. You need to stop for food and drinks, and you need to stay hydrated. I feel that sometimes switching off and doing something else can be the exact thing that allows a reset.

Planning, timetables, take breaks, have a quite place in your home to call 'yours'

Get up an hour earlier than everyone, have a coffee and study in peace and quiet.

Congratulations @AlertMoose, you are the winner of this discussion!