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How to Overcome Mom Guilt When Heading Back to School

Going back to school as a mom is an invaluable investment in yourself and your children’s future. And while this may seem like the ideal option, there’s one thing that many women struggle with when going back to school: how to overcome mom guilt.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median gross weekly earnings of those who complete a bachelor’s degree is $1,432. That’s over $500 more than high school graduates earn each week, which is a whopping $26,000 more annually.¹

Just imagine how increasing your salary could impact your family.

What is Mom Guilt?

According to licensed clinical social worker, Nancy Colier, mom guilt is the feeling of not providing enough of your time and energy to your children.² Feeling mom guilt is normal — and understandable — as these feelings indicate your dedication to caring for your children. But caring for yourself is equally important.

From cooking every meal to maintaining household responsibilities to overseeing your children’s homework assignments and beyond, there are several unspoken expectations of mothers. It may seem like taking on additional responsibilities, like going back to school as a mom, could restrict the amount of time and energy you spend with your children.

Award-winning author, Jill Churchill, once said, “There is no way to be a perfect mother, but a million ways to be a good one.”³ For moms going back to school, one way to be a good mother is prioritizing your degree to create a brighter future for your children.

Dealing with mom guilt is a normal experience. It’s how you handle it that’s so important. Keep reading for tips on how to overcome mom guilt and the challenge of balancing your time when going back to school as a mom.

How to Deal with Mom Guilt when Going Back to School

Cut back on scrolling.

Today’s era of social media has cultivated an unrealistic idea of how a mother should spend her time and energy.

While social media is an effective tool when it comes to sharing your experiences with family and friends, it is also a tool many use to showcase unrealistic and unattainable lifestyles.

According to research published by Psychology Today, only 19% of women admitted to posting completely honest depictions of their lives on Facebook in 2018.⁴ Of those study participants who admitted to fabricating or exaggerating their realities on social media, many claimed to only post about the rare and exciting moments of their lives without ever mentioning their daily challenges.

When dealing with mom guilt as you return to school, try not to compare yourself to the false image of perfection displayed by other mothers on social media. While most social media moms don’t offer a realistic picture of their own lives, they also fabricate the lives of their children, as well.

Try not to compare the childhood you’re providing your children with the fabricated childhoods you may see on social media. Remember that going back to school as a mom creates challenges that are temporary, and spending time earning your degree means you’re creating a better future for your children.

Plan time for both studying and spending time with your children.

The idea of setting aside some time for yourself may sound easier than it actually is. Your children rely on your energy and support every day, which can create a habit of neglecting your own needs when going back to school as a mom.

Sure, you’ll get some time to study when your children are playing. But what about those times when your children need hands-on enrichment while you need to focus on your degree?

As simple as it may sound, using a physical or virtual planner to maintain your schedule may help in dealing with mom guilt. Use your planner to schedule time for studying, and also time for spending with your children.

According to a recent study involving habitual planners and procrastinators, nearly 80% of adults who prioritize planning report that they have strong family relationships while also maintaining time for themselves.⁵

Additionally, Kristen Bowe, APRN, suggests scheduling personal time for yourself and time to spend with your children as you would an important doctor’s appointment.⁶ Choose specific time frames in which to study and to spend with your children, and plan ahead to ensure that time is reserved. Then, most importantly, secure that time as often as possible.

Take advantage of free activities for children.

Many public libraries and community centers host free activities for children of all ages, like craft classes and story-telling. This may allow you to study in a quiet area while your children have fun.

Also, many public schools offer free after school childcare to students. This service often aligns with the schedules of moms going back to school, and may provide you with an extra hour or two to focus on your studies each weekday.

If a free childcare program is unavailable to you, consider trading your time for babysitting with other parents in your community. MetroKids, a parenting support network in the northeastern United States, suggests this as a commonly used, affordable way to schedule time for yourself.⁷

Ask a trusted neighbor, friend, or relative to babysit your children while you study, and be willing to babysit their children in return. This provides you the opportunity to prioritize going back to school while your children are being cared for in safety.

Spend more time at home with an online degree.

There are no perfect degrees for moms going back to school. However, some degree programs provide much more flexibility than others, which is invaluable when managing your feelings of mom guilt.

Traditional degree programs require students to travel to a college campus multiple times each week, often at times that are inconvenient for moms going back to school.

With an online degree, you’ll have the convenience of learning at your pace without ever having to travel to campus. Whether you complete your homework while your children do their own or choose to study each night after your children’s bedtime routine, learning online provides the schedule flexibility you need to be a successful student and overcome mom guilt.

All of 黑料视频’s online programs are delivered through a virtual learning platform and follow the same challenging curriculum offered to students on campus. Additionally, each course offers lectures from top-skilled educators who are committed to helping you succeed academically and professionally.

Ready to learn more about studying online 黑料视频 University's Undergraduate Online Program? Call 1.413.565.1700 for more information about program offerings, the online classroom, and more.

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Sources

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Career Outlook. “Education Pays, 2022.” Retrieved Sept. 5, 2023, from .
2. Psychology Today. “Recovering from Mom Guilt.” Retrieved Sept. 5, 2023, from .
3. Human Coalition. “There’s No Way to be a Perfect Mother…” Retrieved Sept. 18, 2023, from .
4. Psychology Today. “How Honest Are People on Social Media?” Retrieved Sept. 5, 2023, from .
5. Forbes. “New Study Shows Career Benefits in Planning Versus Procrastinating to Reduce Stress.” Retrieved Sept. 7, 2023, from .
6. Mayo Clinic Health System. “Self care tips for moms.” Retrieved Sept. 6, 2023, from .
7. MetroKids. “Babysitting Exchanges.” Retrieved Sept. 8, 2023, from .