I'm scared - School & Work

laurenbsc · 10-12-2009, 07:42 PM

2009 was a big year for me. After 8 years of working on my associates digree through PCSs, deployments, alternate education, and pregnancy, I finally finished my degree at my community college in Texas. I also gave birth to a baby girl two weeks ago. Up to this point I've worked full time for a brokerage firm as an administrative assistant for several years. My income isn't great, but I pocket the majority of it and put it into savings. I didn't start this until I got pregnant unfortunately but I do have a good little cushion in savings at this point.

Anyhow, this is where I'm going with all of this... My husband would like for me to stay home full time and care for our infant and I need to decide whether I should stay at home full time and take classes online or if I should fight for the right to continue working.

Either way I'm filled with fear. I'm scared of giving up my income which gives me a sort of independence. That being said, I'm not thrilled about giving up half of my income each month for child care. I'm also not thrilled about the idea of someone else raising our daughter. On the flip side, I feel like I'm losing absolute control if I have no financial standing of my own. I know I need to finish school and I can finish it within a year and a half if I'm focusing on baby and school only. There is no way I can finish it prior to preschool if I'm working full time, raising a baby and going to school esp with my husband's crazy work schedule and deployments.

I don't know what to do. I just don't know which is most beneficial to my family... extra income now or more education for more income potential later? I need someone to share words of wisdom.

Are there any other full time mom's and students on this board living on one military income?

Victoria · 10-12-2009, 07:47 PM

I'm a full-time college student and mom. My son is now 4 and he's in pre-school. I've been a SAHM for about 4 1/2 years. I went back to college over the summer.

We've been a single income family for over 4 years and have done just fine!!!

tbabygirl1399 · 10-14-2009, 02:49 PM

Posted twice!! OOPSSS

tbabygirl1399 · 10-14-2009, 02:50 PM

All of us working mom's have these same questions.... But all I can say is that you have to make that decision what is best for your family. Each family is different and each person enjoys different things. I stayed home for awhile, but I wanted to go back to work when my youngest was 2.

Working and staying at home has worked for us, yet I enjoy working. But you and your family my be different. Either way you go it will be good because it is what you make of each. Just go with one and focus on the positives.

HTH

Kim

10-12-2009, 07:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
laurenbsc Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 1 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 0% Longevity: 1%	I'm scared 2009 was a big year for me. After 8 years of working on my associates digree through PCSs, deployments, alternate education, and pregnancy, I finally finished my degree at my community college in Texas. I also gave birth to a baby girl two weeks ago. Up to this point I've worked full time for a brokerage firm as an administrative assistant for several years. My income isn't great, but I pocket the majority of it and put it into savings. I didn't start this until I got pregnant unfortunately but I do have a good little cushion in savings at this point. Anyhow, this is where I'm going with all of this... My husband would like for me to stay home full time and care for our infant and I need to decide whether I should stay at home full time and take classes online or if I should fight for the right to continue working. Either way I'm filled with fear. I'm scared of giving up my income which gives me a sort of independence. That being said, I'm not thrilled about giving up half of my income each month for child care. I'm also not thrilled about the idea of someone else raising our daughter. On the flip side, I feel like I'm losing absolute control if I have no financial standing of my own. I know I need to finish school and I can finish it within a year and a half if I'm focusing on baby and school only. There is no way I can finish it prior to preschool if I'm working full time, raising a baby and going to school esp with my husband's crazy work schedule and deployments. I don't know what to do. I just don't know which is most beneficial to my family... extra income now or more education for more income potential later? I need someone to share words of wisdom. Are there any other full time mom's and students on this board living on one military income?

10-14-2009, 02:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
tbabygirl1399 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 95 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 13% Longevity: 8%	Posted twice!! OOPSSS Last edited by tbabygirl1399; 10-14-2009 at 02:51 PM. Reason: double post

About Us

MilitarySOS Shortcuts

MilitarySOS Help

About MilitarySOS

10-12-2009, 07:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Victoria Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 34,198 Classifieds: (1) Activity: 96% Longevity: 55%	I'm a full-time college student and mom. My son is now 4 and he's in pre-school. I've been a SAHM for about 4 1/2 years. I went back to college over the summer. We've been a single income family for over 4 years and have done just fine!!!

10-14-2009, 02:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
tbabygirl1399 Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 95 Classifieds: (0) Activity: 13% Longevity: 8%	All of us working mom's have these same questions.... But all I can say is that you have to make that decision what is best for your family. Each family is different and each person enjoys different things. I stayed home for awhile, but I wanted to go back to work when my youngest was 2. Working and staying at home has worked for us, yet I enjoy working. But you and your family my be different. Either way you go it will be good because it is what you make of each. Just go with one and focus on the positives. HTH Kim