Can I handle it all? 😬

Question

I am 22 years old, mommy to a 7 month old, and engaged to a man with a 5 year old that calls me mom. I am wanting to go back to school. I only completed one semester a few years ago. I want to get my doctorate in psychology to be a forensic psychologist. Yeah yeah I know that’s A LOT of school but I think it would be worth it. But my dilemma is I will have to take care of my family, work full time, and go to school full time for several years. On top of that my fiancé wants to join the Army and we want to try for another baby in a year or two. I’m worried I won’t be able to handle it all and that I’m just taking on too much. I know the decision is purely mine but I’d love some opinions and advice on the situation!
Pics of my family cause we’re cute 🤷🏻‍♀️

Answer

Having young is so stressful, but it is also an amazing and wonderful time that passes so quickly. Work already takes so much of that time away.  You shouldn't give up on your dreams, but you also dont want to squander this time with your kids being totally stressed out because you are spread so thin. My advice would be to wait to go back to school until your kids are in school, or try out taking one class at a time and see how it goes. Best of luck!

Answer

If you could do some of your classes online and if you have nearby family to consistently and reliably provide childcare, yes. If not, it seems like some of it may need to wait.

Answer

You can do it, but your success will depend on the level of support you have.  If your husband is away, you are going to need to have someone else you rely on to help.
I got my masters degree while going from one child to three.  Our extended family isn’t close enough to help out, so all my slack fell on my husband.  It was tough and we had a blowout fight once a semester because he wasn’t helping enough so I could get homework done.  I took online classes through a brick and mortor school, so that eliminated the need to actually go to class.  I tried to do my school work when the kids were asleep, but things would get tricky if a kid was sick, if there was a sleep regression or their sleep patterns changed.
I would like to tell you it is worth it, but getting my masters hasn’t really opened doors for me yet.  Maybe it will in the future.  I think getting a bachelors degree would be worth it though because more and more places are requiring it.

Answer

Some time as females we have to sit and think about what's best for us
I see too much females putting their life on pause so that the male can live out their dream 
Can they just do that for us for once? 
I would love if you could go back to school and make a better you for you and your family.

Answer

I’m sure it could be done. Lots of mamas juggle a lot of different things in their lives. 
I would really consider the time and money that would be required. A doctorate, I believe, will be about 8 years of school if you would be able to carry a full time course load. Also, consider how you would pay for it. Would you be able to pay out of pocket, or would you need student loans? From personal experience, I would recommend not going into debt for a degree. Especially if you want more babies, because you might decide that you want to stay home with them for a while. 
And I would also research where you would need to go to find a forensic psychologist job. It may not be a big deal since your fiancé has military plans, but you could have to move far away to find a job.

Answer

I’m all for “I am woman hear me roar” but honestly we are human and there are only so many hours in a day! We can have it all, but not all at the same time. I’d say if you can not work (or at least part time) it would seem a lot more feasible. Also keep in mind if your husband is in the Army that will likely mean moving around. That can make school difficult if you are in the middle of a program at one university, then move away, things may or may not all transfer.

Answer

One step at a time. If right now you can figure out a way to continue your education, start with that. You're still very young, so if it all gets too much you can hold off on another child until you're done with your studies. It's a great ambition btw., I'm a clinical psychologist myself and just loooove my occupation. Forensic psychology is awesome, so interesting!

Answer

Theres no harm in trying!! I've always wanted to study Psychology and Criminology but I quit school in grade 11 to work full time and never finished, and feel like I never have time, as a mom of a 2 year old and due in 3 weeks

Answer

I would be cautious about taking on too much- right after I gave birth I was like I'm ready to go back to work! And I felt like I was handling mama hood pretty well but then we (as in the whole family lol) hit a rough patch and I was so glad my husband told me to hold off on working. Sometimes things seem do-able when there's smooth sailing but then when life happens it's so much harder. Maybe try one major life change at a time?

Can I handle it all? 😬

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