Confidence is key in raising kids and going to school
September 25, 2012
There are a lot of qualities associated with being a strong single mother that can also help push these women through school. Strength, independence, courage and the ability to learn are all intrinsic to being a successful parent without any support or assistance from anyone else, and these same qualities are what make good learners do well in college. Single mother scholarships recognize these traits, rewarding women for persevering in the face of difficult odds.
Meeting the potential
Every mother has that fear of failure, be it with children, finances or their personal lives, there is always concern that something more needs to be done. This is a normal impulse, as one person is basically trying to fill the roles of two, and no matter how far someone extends herself, she can never cover all the bases.
It's important for women to remember that they are enough for their children, with or without a spouse, and any nurturing or life lessons they could have given with a man around can still be provided without someone like that in the household. It is also good to keep in mind that, even as a single parent, moms still deserve to do things for themselves and not feel selfish about it. Getting a babysitter and going to school is not something worthy of guilt. If anything, it is a testament to their empowerment as women, and their drive to do better for themselves and their families.
Being a good mom
There is nothing that says a mom has to be around all the time in order to be a good one. Doing the right thing for kids, even if it means spending hours outside the house, is what is most needed for them to grow up properly. If anything, a woman who takes the time to pursue a college scholarship and go back to school is making a sacrifice of herself, giving up her time with her family in order to get a better education.
Being confident and making informed decisions will help working and single mothers better navigate the tumultuous sea of uncertainty around returning to school, as well as harboring fears that she isn't doing enough at home for the children. The act of seeking a degree to benefit the family shows what sacrifices she's willing to make for their sake and that of the entire household.
