Can You Go Back to School After Having a Baby as a Teenager?

Adolescence is already a challenging period, and becoming a parent can make the journey even more complex. Many teens wonder if it's possible to continue their education after having a baby. The good news is that many teenagers do indeed go back to school, often by leveraging online education, creative planning, and unwavering determination. Let’s explore how this can be achieved and what changes might come with it.

Options for Continuing Education

One of the most accessible options for teens who wish to continue their education is online education. This mode of learning offers the significant advantage of saving time that would otherwise be spent commuting to and from school. It also simplifies the need for arrangements with babysitters, as you can manage your child's care closer to home. By choosing online courses, you can attend classes from the comfort of your home, ensuring that your child can have immediate and continuous supervision.

Creating a Plan for Success

A critical step in continuing your education is making a plan. This involves determining the courses you need and the sequence in which you should take them. Time management is essential, and it’s important to avoid overloading yourself with too many courses at once. Allocate some time for yourself to recharge and care for your needs. Structuring a manageable study schedule can help you balance your responsibilities as a teenager and a parent.

Real-world Examples and Inspiration

It's not uncommon for teenage mothers to successfully complete their education. For example, a doctor I worked with started her education in community college as a teen mother, then proceeded to finish college and pursue a medical degree. This was certainly a demanding journey, but she never gave up and is a testament to the possibility. Similarly, many women have gone back to school after having a baby, showing that despite life’s changes, education remains achievable.

Understanding the Changes You Will Face

While it is possible to continue your education, you should be aware that your life will change significantly at that point. Factors such as missed class time and the added responsibility of childcare are likely to alter your educational journey. You may need to take summer classes to make up for lost time, opt for different types of schooling, or even go back to obtain a GED if your educational path was disrupted. Additionally, you may find that extracurricular activities and social engagements are more limited.

However, allowing these changes to deter you is not advisable. "Different" does not mean "impossible." My personal experience, as a mother who continued to pursue my education while raising children, underscores that despite the challenges, completing school was possible. I missed a week in college to have my first child and returned to class right away. I completed my Master's degree by attending evening classes and finished law school by attending weekend classes, all while raising my children.

While the path to education may not have been the easiest, it was certainly rewarding. The choices and sacrifices made helped my children see the value of education and instilled in them the importance of prioritizing responsibilities. This experience also shaped the way they viewed their own education, making them determined to complete their studies before starting a family.

Conclusion

Whether you have a baby or a teenager, you have the freedom to choose your education path. You can opt to continue your education or choose a career track that may offer on-the-job training. These choices may not be easy, and many would have been smoother if made before having a child. However, it's important to remember that you CAN do hard things. Many of the hard things you'll do will also be among the most rewarding.

Parents, never tell your children that you "couldn't" something because of them. Instead, communicate that you "chose" a path because it was in their best interest. This mindset will help your children understand the value of your sacrifices and instill in them the importance of pursuing their dreams, regardless of the obstacles.