I always had the desire to go to college. I wanted to feel like I did something. I wanted to feel like I wasn’t rotting away and had some purpose. I struggled with learning in HS. I got A’s in the easy classes but I definitely was an C/D student. Got an 16 on the ACT. Me and my mom always blamed it on ADHD and other learning disabilities that I was never officially diagnosed with. We kinda assumed I had something since all my siblings do. Deep down I wonder if most of my struggles were due to toxic relationships I had with my bf’s and the abuse at home vs all of it being learning disabilities.

I applied to colleges when I graduated, got in, pretty much all the ones that would take anyone but I was proud and clueless then. I kept asking my mom for help and ideas and she kept putting it off and eventually she told me I shouldn’t go at all. Over the years I kept going back to the idea. I would think of different programs but get too scared to do anything.

Now I’m a mom and my husband has a TBI. He’s doing better and works but we can’t keep living like this. I want to be able to save for retirement, emergency savings, and afford a vacation here and there. Maybe eventually sports or whatever activities for my son. Please do not shame me. We prayed a lot when we had our son and were better off the . Our family has been through the wringer. Now I’m trying to fix things.

ANYWAYS I’m looking for ideas of programs and careers that I possibly havnt thought of or know about. As of now I’m going for an LPN since they have an affordable part time program here, and maybe I will bridge to my RN after. I just know nursing is hard and don’t think I can do it. TMaybe surgical/sterile tech. I enjoyed my time as a behavioral tech. Vet tech. Child life specialist is out due to all the work that goes into it. Thought of social work but they pay is low and as far as I’ve heard not worth the schooling.

If I’m going to do this my end goal is to make 25-30hr with an associates or less. I’m a mom and my goal was to be at home. Now that those plans are changing I want to make sure that I’m not like my mom working two jobs going to college their whole lives. Would love some ideas and advice