Establishing boundaries to support a busy college schedule
September 24, 2012
It can be hard to find space at home just to sit and study, especially if you've been away from your children all day. You will naturally want to set aside the books and homework to connect with them, but that can put college scholarships at risk if grades should slip. There are ways to separate space and define hours more effectively, so that no facet of life is allowed to deteriorate.
Create a study space
There are probably areas of the house the kids aren't allowed to trespass already. The laundry room, bathrooms and certain drawers and cupboards in the kitchen may be off limits to children, and they understand that there are repercussions for breaking these rules.
Similarly, creating boundaries around a designated study time and space will ensure that you get the room and ability to do school work in a relaxed fashion. It also means you won't have to worry about coming home and finding your sociology textbook has become a trampoline or a coloring book. Making the distinction between personal space and things versus shared areas will reinforce the idea that this part of the house is not to be entered when mommy is working on school things.
Be flexible with schedules
At the same time that it would be great to say, "I will study at 6PM every day," that isn't always an option with kids. Something special might come up, dinner could get pushed back or an illness could make keeping to a study routine impossible. Instead of punishing yourself or falling out of the regular habit, devote the same time later to academic pursuits. Kids will need you for emotional support, homework help and other things that can't be anticipated or put off until later, so don't beat yourself up if you can't start studying until 7PM or later.
Do not, however, replace sleep with study time. There is nothing worse to memory absorption and overall health than not getting enough sleep. As a single mom with financial aid for mothers to worry about maintaining, don't let other obligations get in the way of a full night's sleep. Homework will be there in the morning, and you will do a better job on it if you are well rested.
