Are you thinking of returning to college even though you have small children? This is a big decision for most parents of little ones, but it actually has many benefits to the entire family. What are some of these benefits? Consider this list of ways everyone wins.

1. Kids Socialize at Child Care

Most student parents use child care so they can attend class and study. However, they may feel guilty for this because they’re not spending all their time raising their children. But, far from an option that should be avoided, child care is actually a wonderful opportunity for growing children.

How does your child benefit? They spend time with other children their same age range as well as other adults, learning needed social skills and coping mechanisms. Child care is provided by trained professionals who have years of experience handling all sorts of development needs and challenges. And you as a parent may be able to make use of their experience in your own time as well.

2. Parents Get a Break

Having young children at home can be overwhelming for many parents. A single parent may try to do too much while a parent who stays at home with the children could become burned out being without adult companionship and personal interests.

When you go to classes and socialize with other adults or pursue passionate interests of your own, you get that break many parents desperately need. With modern, enriching child care options open to parents today, you can feel confident knowing that your little ones are busy engaging their own interests and learning about the world with professional child care experts.

3. You Encourage Education

Children learn from the example of their parents. If you value education, taking on a degree program even when it's inconvenient shows your kids that this is something valuable and worth working for. It may even increase their likelihood of following suit and valuing their own education later on.

Talk to your kids in a positive way about you going back to school. Let them see you studying and putting in the hard work. Show them where you go to learn more, and equate it to their own child care learning experience. Let them be a part of the process. They will likely gain an interest and learn that education is a good thing.

4. Your Career Track Doesn't Suffer



Many parents — particularly women — tend to see their career track and future earning ability suffer due to the responsibilities of parenthood as well as jobs. They may even see a loss of 4 percent of income for each child they have. There are a variety of reasons for this, prominently including needed time off work and flexibility in schedules as well as an often-hidden bias against working mothers.

If you have suffered a career trajectory problem or you want to prevent it, getting more education is one of the best ways to do so. And as you increase your earning potential while your children are young, you can provide what your family needs for a lifetime as well — better access to health care, good schools, and their own career interests.

These benefits are just a few of the many ways that your own higher education can boost the family unit. What can it do for your own specific situation? If you're still unsure, talk with the child care experts at Small World Early Learning and Development Center today. We are ready to be your partners in balancing your own needs with the welfare of your family. Call for an appointment today.