debating on staying home with kids
I am single mom of four children, ages 4, 6, 9, 11. I have been f/t student for nearly 2 years now with nearly 2 years left to go. For the last few months I have been feeling increasingly pressured and stressed over the demands of school and raising a family. One thing after another seems to come up forcing me to choose between the two. When I put what I need to into my kids my studies suffer and vice versa.
Over time I have been noticing that the stress is making me less of a parent when I am present and I have a constant feeling of guilt because I do not feel like this is what I should be doing. At the same time I am afraid if I quit school I will be "throwing in the towel" on something that would be good for our future - afraid of dissapointing the people around me. At the same time nobody is here but me and nobody else really sees the toll things are taking on my family. I have been praying and have been getting the overwhelming feeling that I need to drop school indefinately & stay home with the kids for a while until I know it is time to return. I have also been unsure if nursing is the field I really want to pursue. I have some ethical issues with this and feel if it were an option I would rather practice natural medicine. Also, I have been exploring home based business ideas along the lines of natural organic food products and really wonder if I may be able to start a business that would enable me to be with the kids f/t.
With many of the problems facing families today I believe it all starts at home and I hardly feel like I am doing a very good job right now in my parenting - not because I don't want to but because I feel divided and know I need to do something to provide for my family. My oldest son has some special needs and as he is entering his teen years I feel very pressed that he needs my attention right now and that I need to be able to spend the time with him that it will take to help him develop neccessary skills for adulthood. In reality, he will most likely be with me forever but I still want him to be happy and as independant as possible and as it is I am afraid his needs are increasingly put on the back burner for lack of time. I nkow I cannot go back and do it over if I make the wrong choice now. Any input on this? Please pray for us - I really want to make the right decision and know that when I do make a choice I am doing what God wants me to do and not for the wrong reasons.
I am single mom of four children, ages 4, 6, 9, 11. I have been f/t student for nearly 2 years now with nearly 2 years left to go. For the last few months I have been feeling increasingly pressured and stressed over the demands of school and raising a family. One thing after another seems to come up forcing me to choose between the two. When I put what I need to into my kids my studies suffer and vice versa.
Over time I have been noticing that the stress is making me less of a parent when I am present and I have a constant feeling of guilt because I do not feel like this is what I should be doing. At the same time I am afraid if I quit school I will be "throwing in the towel" on something that would be good for our future - afraid of dissapointing the people around me. At the same time nobody is here but me and nobody else really sees the toll things are taking on my family. I have been praying and have been getting the overwhelming feeling that I need to drop school indefinately & stay home with the kids for a while until I know it is time to return. I have also been unsure if nursing is the field I really want to pursue. I have some ethical issues with this and feel if it were an option I would rather practice natural medicine. Also, I have been exploring home based business ideas along the lines of natural organic food products and really wonder if I may be able to start a business that would enable me to be with the kids f/t.
With many of the problems facing families today I believe it all starts at home and I hardly feel like I am doing a very good job right now in my parenting - not because I don't want to but because I feel divided and know I need to do something to provide for my family. My oldest son has some special needs and as he is entering his teen years I feel very pressed that he needs my attention right now and that I need to be able to spend the time with him that it will take to help him develop neccessary skills for adulthood. In reality, he will most likely be with me forever but I still want him to be happy and as independant as possible and as it is I am afraid his needs are increasingly put on the back burner for lack of time. I nkow I cannot go back and do it over if I make the wrong choice now. Any input on this? Please pray for us - I really want to make the right decision and know that when I do make a choice I am doing what God wants me to do and not for the wrong reasons.