Whether it is at 30 or 50, pursuing further education and a college degree can open wonderful new doors for you and your family.
According to an Insitute of Women’s Policy Research report, 26 percent of adult Americans head back to school while caring for dependents, including children. As a parent, you are seen as a primary and one of the most influential presences in your children’s lives from the day they are born. Although heading back to school can call for some great mother-student-employee balancing skills, it can also bring impactful and long-lasting benefits for yourself, your children, and your family relationships. From improved family dynamics to an indirect impact on your child’s educational pathway, here is why heading back to school as a mom is a great idea for you and your family.
It Can Mean A Financial Boost, Improved Quality Of Life And The Affordability Of Family Life
Although only half of Americans think college is important, the resulting gaps in the workplace remain stark. Those who have a college degree earn over $30,000 more each year than those with a high school diploma, while holders of an MBA can command double the salary. The National Center for Children In Poverty also claims that the less educated a parent is, the higher chance that the family will be classified as low income. Around 67 percent of children with parents who finish high school but not college are in low-income families.
In addition to the financial perks that added income brings for parents, college degree holders also command more respect in the workplace and the interview rooms. This means they are more likely to be shortlisted for jobs they want and are in a better place to name their desired salary and working terms – like flexible working – during an interview. For parents, this equates to a better work-life balance and greater affordability for the $233,610 price tag of raising a child.
Your Educational Background Can Affect Your Children’s Educational Aspirations And Achievements
In the 2014 National College Board/National Journal survey, children with parents who didn’t hold college degrees tended to enter the world of work right after high school – repeating the pattern. Modeling achievement-oriented behaviors at home, such as pursuing further education yourself, instills the impression in your children that higher learning and achievement are valuable. Those that come from non-degree families also have a harder time finishing school.
The good news is that, thanks to increasing options for parents furthering their education, they now have many more choices when choosing a school, including those that offer distance learning or graduate schools that don’t require GRE scores. This means parents can portray these positive traits for their children while still finding educational options that suit their budget, time constraints, and professional support needed.
Increased Career Scope And Progression Leads To Improved Familial Relationships
One of the most commonly cited benefits of having a college degree is the increased chances of career progression it provides. With it comes the knowledge that you can compete in the workplace and vie for higher roles. This can have a favorable mental impact on a parent’s self-esteem, confidence and happiness at work. Multiple studies have shown that one of the unfortunate impacts of being unhappy at work is that it can filter down to your personal life through increased stress, a decline of your marital satisfaction, and strained interactions with family members at the end of a workday.
However, with the emotional, mental and career boost heading back to school can provide, you are more likely to feel happier in your job – or seek a career where you feel happy. The sense of professional fulfillment is not only a great example for your children; it means you are bringing home fewer negative emotions at the end of your workday and are able to foster positive conversations with your family.
Going back to college for further education can mean positive changes for you and your entire family. While it does take some time management skills, hard work and dedication to the final result, remembering to focus on the bigger picture can help you through it.
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