Single Parent?

[CaliCPhT]

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I'm curious... Is it possible to make it through pharmacy school as a single parent? I'm still married, but thinking of leaving. I truly, truly want to be a pharmacist but I am concerned about making it through the program as a single parent. Advice?

 

[LiveLoveFartRepeat]

Anything is possible if you want it bad enough..

Just out of curiosity, if somebody says you can't make it in pharmacy school as a single parent are you going to stay married just to have your husband as a baby sitter and dumped him once you graduate?

The point I am trying to make is you need to realise that you have two independant situations here, not one that can fix the other one. How bad do you want to fix things with your spouse is one situation. How bad do you want to go to pharmacy school is another one. Going to school in an unhappy marital situation is not the best choice. You'll need support, you'll need to focus, you'll need encouragement.

I wish you the best in both.

ps: I am assuming that you are a female. My bad, if you are not one.

 

[sdn1977]

I'm curious... Is it possible to make it through pharmacy school as a single parent? I'm still married, but thinking of leaving. I truly, truly want to be a pharmacist but I am concerned about making it through the program as a single parent. Advice?

As gabon said - anything is possible. But, this is the time to seriously ask yourself - are you using your schooling to escape from your marriage, or will your status as a single parent & all that encompasses be an excuse for any "holes" in your education?

You must go into each thing - marriage, parenthood, education with the knowledge that sometimes you can't go back without severe repercussions - for sure you can't go back with parenthood - your child is now your responsibility forever. No excuses, hardships or reasons will ever be enough to compensate for good decisions you will have to make with the child's other parent. That's not to say you can't go on & pursue your education & career......but, you will always co-parent with the child's other parent.

Be sure you are leaving because it is right for everyone - not just for yourself. If you leave without anger, hatred, envy, jealousy or other emotion-charged reasons, then you are leaving with a clear head & can make the best decisions possible for your child, which is now the first priority for you.

As parents, we do sacrifice some of our goals for the best for our children. Only you can decide if this is the right choice for you.

Good luck - be sure to search your heart & perhaps seek counseling before you choose to have a child become part of a divorce.

 

[CaliCPhT]

Thanks y'all. I honestly want things to work out between us, but I can't go on the way they are now. I think I'm getting him to realize this and it's going to be work for both of us. We shall see. I appreciate the words of wisdom that were offered.

 

[mattsokj]

If you do go down the divorce route, consider letting some of the dust settle before making other major life changes like career or schooling. I went through a divorce and it is very mentally/emotionally challenging. Big life changes like career can also be mentally challenging and it may add up to more than you'd like to handle all at one time. I made a career change after getting divorced but I waited a while for things to settle first and I'm glad I did. As the other posters mentioned, if you haven't already, check into some counseling first to see if you can work your problems out. It's hard work to fix a realtionship but a divorce is even harder. Hope things work out for the best.

 

[southgeorgiarx]

I went through pharmacy school just fine with twin boys(4 years old)the school new it when they accepted me. And actually they made a big deal about parents in school, especially single parents....They had all parents stand up. and said to everyone...look at these people, of all of yall in the room--these standing will be the ones that make it. Espescially those doing it alone with kids. You will work harder, be more organized, all because you are a parent with a goal. You CAN do it. No questions asked. The other students were told that if you get to a shaky part of the year, find one of those parents. They will help you.

Its true. I was more organized because I had to be. Already was before that. Also have to be dedicated and determined. We do work harder, dinner, laundry, children. In addition, i seemed to adopt other "kids" in the room. Made for a wonderful experience.

 

[elisa]

I started pharmacy school the same day my son started kindergarten. I don't feel it is any more difficult for me than it is for anyone else in my class. To be honest, I think other students without children are stressing a lot more than me. My son and I are alone in this town (no family members or the father). No big deal, no doubt you can do it if you really care about a better future. Don't get stuck with someone just because you are afraid of not being successful on your own; on the other hand, if you and your husband love each try working things out.
Good luck

 

[nextgenpharm]

Hi there......

Just going to tell you a little about my story.... see if it helps

I am a 28 year old single mother of a soon to be eight year old girl. We just moved from Miami to Chicago, after I got accepted to UIC College of Pharmacy. It took me 6 years to finish my undergrad because i was working at the same time. Now, I have taken out loans to manage the load while I am in school. My daughter's and my schedule concord perfectly, and I'm with her 90% of the time. She is helpful around the house and plays quietly when I need to study....

Point being, It can be done. I was freaking out for a little over a year, wondering if I would have to leave her with my parents while I studied, wondering if it was even worth it, if that was my only option.....

I realize now that I freaked out for nothing.. things have been going smoothly and I finally feel a sense of order in my life....

So, if you want it... please know that you can achieve it... and you don't REALLY need a man there to smooth the ride....

🙂

 

[All4MyDaughter]

I have a 3.5 year old and find it difficult to study with her around even if my husband is here to distract her. You'll just need to be creative with finding time to study. I study in between classes while she is in daycare so I can play with her when I'm home. I also study late at night after she is asleep.

I think it would be easier if she were school aged because she'd be better at entertaining herself and would understand that "mommy needs to do homework now" - perhaps we could even work on our schoolwork concurrently!