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Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:14 pm  |
Hi wonderful EDSr's. I am writing on behalf of my amazing younger brother. He just recently divorced a woman who is very manipulative and they have a two year old son. My brother loves his son more than any father I've ever seen and he is a really good dad, a true natural. It's the mother we all worry about. She often puts her own needs above anyone else's and her son is no exception.  Anyway, her leaving my brother was really bad timing for him. He gets to keep his son over the coming summer but to have this benefit, he has to work 40 hours a week at a low paying job to take care of him plus pay child support to the mother (yes, I know, I know, even when she isn't taking care of him!  ) The problem is that he also has to finish his final semester of school and study for his GRE to get into grad school in the fall. He doesn't know how he is going to accomplish all of this. Are there any other courageous single parents on our forum who currently go to college and have figured out ways to get outside help as student parents? Any advice and tips will be greatly appreciated and forwarded to my bro. Thank you ladies! |
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Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:33 pm |
In my school there are tons and tons of scholarships out there for single parents....He should look into that. The committee would probably admire a dad taking on the role...
I do know a friend who did college with a young child...she luckily had the help of her mom to babysit and pay some bills.
Churches usually have the most inexpensive babysitting/daycare facilities...Or he can arrange with a friend who has kids to take turns?
i'm out of ideas...oh yeah, if the b*tch is that bad why doesn't he petition for full custody?? |
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Combination - dehyrdated, acne, sensitive, late 20's. |
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Wed Apr 19, 2006 3:54 pm |
| The reason she gets away with all her crap is because she has a wealthy family willing to give her all the resources she needs while my brother does not. Churches are a good idea, I'll pass that on, thanks! |
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Wed Apr 19, 2006 5:31 pm |
About 4 years ago... when I was 8 months pregnant, I was diagnosed with a herninated disc in my back that would require surgery once I delivered, I was not able to work because of my back injury, I was going through a divorce, and in grad school (and I had NO family around to help). Life was not good. Four months after Harrison was born, I had back surgery (I had it during my spring break so I wouldn't miss class). Honestly, on many days I didn't know how I would get through it.
At night when the rest of the world slept, I would be up doing research and typing papers....many nights, I got no sleep. My son was a baby, which was somewhat easier because he slept alot...but we all know a 2 year old is active and require alot of attention, so your brother will be very sleep deprived!
I know there are student loans available to grad students. He should check with his grad school about TA positions, it seems like they make a little money and may get some help with tutition. Check your states' college foundation, the North Carolina site has tons of available scholarships listed. I was surprised to learn that many scholarships go unused because people (myself included) are too lazy to submit the paperwork.
With the GRE, I would suggest a formal GRE prep class to assist him in preparing for the class. Basically, they teach you how to take the test, in addition to prepping the material. It was one of the best things I did!
Throughout all of this, I had to constantly remind myself that "what doesn't kill us makes us stronger". It would have been so easy to say..."fu#! it I quit", but you can't do that. This degree will help your brother provide a better life for himself and his son!!! |
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46 yrs old, I live at the beach and love being out in the sun. |
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Wed Apr 19, 2006 8:55 pm |
| Thanks for the advice, Chrissie. I didn't know there were prep classes for GRE! That's good advice. He already has scholarships and is a TA, so he is ok financially for school. His main issue is living expenses and time with his son for the summer while preparing for next year. He is also doing all this on his own and we try to pitch in when we can. I don't know how you did it, I am so amazed by you! |
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Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:42 pm |
| Your brother is actually quite lucky to have you looking out for him. I really would suggest to him to look into student loans. They are interest-free while in school, and the interest doesn't start until you've been out of school for six months. I really wish him good luck with this!!!! |
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46 yrs old, I live at the beach and love being out in the sun. |
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Thu Apr 20, 2006 11:13 pm |
pnw: in my school, they have this day care thing for graduate students who have kids (I dont have kids, hence never use the facility). But I heard this facility is pretty good. your brother should check with his school, maybe they have the same facility.
As far as the GRE general test, as I remeber when I took it, was not too terribly hard. So he should not be stressing out about it.
i hope things work out for him.
cheers |
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Fri Apr 21, 2006 11:34 am |
| Thanks, roadtonowhere, he'll be relieved to hear that. His school does have a daycare program as well, but it's not free and is still too expensive for him. |
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| Thu Apr 25, 2024 7:23 am |
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