I'm posting this on behalf of a friend who doesn't want to post incase the other half reads it (i still think you are being daft :) ) Anyway, she has two girls already, both at school, no problems with them so she has been to college and decided on a career. Now, her first course towards her career will start in September, however, she also wants another baby. Basically, she can't do both! She waited until her girls were at school to start her training, her youngest is 5 now but she feels that if she doesn't have another baby now then she may never have another or the age gap would be to big. But, if she does have one now she doesn't think she will ever have her career either. She's been having this argument in her head for about six months and it's driving her (and my ears :hihi: ) insane! She says she can't cope with doing the courses and looking after a baby and she doesn't want to have to leave the baby with someone else three days a week as there isn't any family that could help with that.

So, what would you do, how would you decide? Please someone help her to figure it out for her own sanity!!! :love:

I was considering a similar thing some months ago. I figured since achild begins nursery normally around their 3rd birthday it would give me time to explore my options once they are settled in. Until then I'd prefer to look after my girls myself.
A career and education can be undertaken for a long time, fertility declines.
If it it all suitably viable I.d go with having a baby, do college courses at night, or weekends or wait until the child goes to nursery.
However, with conception at the right time, a college course could be undertaken from September and completed in June next year, allowing for a child to be born say July or August and therefore fitting both in and leaving the mum to return to work with new qualifications when she's ready :)

I have to agree with Zebra you can study part time, at night, weekend even in the loo if you have to!

I've just had a baby and have just start doing 3 A Levels as distance learning. I will still be doing these when I return to work in Dec and I have a newborn and a 10yr old.

I think it's a case of changing your priorities and doing what you feel is right for you and your family.

agree with the above posts, i've done both, i went back to college when my firstborn was 9 months old, initially leaving her with daddy, then moving her into the college creche at 18 months. I was still at college when i fell pregnant with my second, but timed it right :D he was born in august and i returned in september when he was 4 weeks old (it was a part time course and i only went 2 afternoons a week). i graduated in december 06, 2 weeks before i gave birth to my third lol.
It was very hard work, but it means when my youngest starts nursery I'm well qualified and can get a decent job, rather than struggling on minimum wage, or benefits as I'm unfortunately doing now :(
There are loads of different options for learning, such as evening and weekend classes, as well as online learning. If shes using sheffield college the creches are very good, subsidised for college students, and take babies from 6 months old

I have put off my teaching carear three times but in that time have had three children and a fourth due in October. I didnt want a big gap between any of my kids (there are two or three years betweenn each) and I am still following my chosen carear but as a teaching assistant not fully fledged teacher. It all comes down to what is most important to you - carear or family? I know I can continue along my carear path after the newest addition is older if I choose to do so , but I dont regret one bit having put teaching on hold for the last 9 years since leaving uni as I love my kids to bits and wouldnt have it any other way.

It is possible to train with young children... at one point I was working full time nights, had a 2 year old and a baby and was studying for a PGCE - so it is possible to have it both ways! :o:D

However only your friend will know what she feels more strongly about so only she can make the decision as to what is right for her family. The other thing to bear in mind is growing costs with a growing family!

It will be right for you whichever path you choose to take. :thumbsup:

I also think that part-time study would be the best way to go. I've done distance learning courses previously, and I am about two-thirds through an evening study masters degree from Sheffield Hallam. Pretty much every university in the land is offering flexible courses, and there is always the Open University.

I would advise that you should only going into such things accepting that you are going to have to make considerable sacrifices. There will be times when you will spend Christmas and Easter holidays writing assignments and revising for exams, and at times the social life will go (even more!) out of the window, but it will all be worth it in the end!

My only other advice would be to outline to your partner what kind of commitment you will have to make to your studies, and likewise ask that they support you and that they understand the additional domestic responsibilities they will need to take on to free you up to realise your dreams!

if she puts off her baby, how would she feel if it diddn't happen as she'd hoped. she may then regret having waited, so i think i'd be inclined to try for the baby and see what happens. ( it may take months or years to concieve ) its amazing what you can fit into a busy day when you want to ( i'm meaning study, not making babies) there is a saying, if you want something doing, ask a busy person. she will be able to fit it all in if the need arises, life's funny like that. it's more difficult 'thinking' about how you will cope