[msiddiqi]

My DH and mother are begging me to start a class or part time work etc. They think my mind is going numb between a 3yo and a 3mo... and I have to somewhat agree with them. I feel like I want to do something while still being able to take care of my kids. Something once a week or a couple times a week at a time in the evenings when someone in my family can watch my kids. But I'm at a loss... do I want part time work? Go back to school part time for a masters? Just take a yoga class?<br>
If you were given the opportunity to get out of the house to do something productive (other than being a mommy... what's more productive than that right <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"> ) what would you do?<br>
Just as background, I have a bachelors in IT but I really don't like the field at all. I have been wanting to go back for something else... architecture, political science, something in the sciences... I just really want to learn something new. IT is just too dry for me, although I love love love math - but I think where IT lands you in the work field is just unappealing to me.

 

[mightymoo]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up"> I am going back for my MBA and I'm loving it. I have a computer science undergraduate degree, though I worked in software dev, not IT really (though some consider it the same thing), I liked what I did, but I did a lot more coordination and decision making and not so much coding. I wouldn't have liked business when I was an undergrad, but with the life perspective I have now, I find it fascinating. I'm really enjoying classes now in a way I never did before - I really feel like my brain is just thrilled to have a a challenge again, something new to learn.<br><br>
The nice thing about graduate school is the classes are usually once a week at night. So I say give it a try - even if you aren't sure you want a master's or what field, look into continuing ed at your local college, they may have some interesting courses.

 

[Penelope]

Honestly, I think graduate school (if you can go at a pace that works for you) plus kids is a great combination!<br><br>
might have difficulty with being away from a 3mo (I started back to class when my first was 9mo), but mine were both pretty mama-centered at that stage. If you can pump, or if your schedule would permit 1 hour/3x week instead of 3 hours/1x a week... just, if you could work it so that you would all be comfortable with the schedule - go for it!

 

[wonderwahine]

are you crafty?? maybe sign up for a craft class at micheals or jo-anns etc.

 

[ma_Donna]

I found volunteer work fulfilling.<br>
It has evolved so I now work 4 afternoons and do some (OK, too much) volunteering.<br><br>
I like volunteer work because it's much more forgiving for your schedule with the kids and with the stuff I do, there's quite a bit of it I can bring the kids along for.<br>
HTH <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">

 

[lucky_mia]

I loved going to graduate school. I didn't have kids then but I was just so into it and it was great for my mind.

 

[katt]

I'd start with a class at a local CC. It could be for fun or eventually for a degree, certificate etc...

 

[KariM]

I loved graduate school, but had an older kid (4-6 y/o) not a baby.<br><br>
I tried taking a graduate class in religion last year and ended up dropping it because I couldn't find the time to write because my then 2 y/o DD was too demanding. That's OUR situation, though, and may well not be the case for you.<br><br>
What makes you passionate? Are there topics or causes that really excite your intellect? Anything new you've always wanted to learn (could be a hobby, skill, class, etc)?

 

[Kleine Hexe]

No advice...but man this thread is makin gme want to go to graduate school. Plus, my friend just started her classes back up. Sigh. I miss school.

 

[peacelovingmama]

When I only had 2 children I used to volunteer every Friday on a child-abuse prevention hotline. It was tremendously satisfying. So I second the suggestion about volunteer work. Search your heart for which issue is most important to you right now and then go make a difference!

 

[Angelstill]

It seems that I did the most popular thing mentioned here.<br><br>
I went back to school.<br><br>
I was a music major when I first went to college. Dropped out, did the family thing. I didn't play for over 10 years.<br><br>
Then cause I was bored, and someone invited me, I started playing at a church and fell in love with music all over again.<br><br>
I started back to school when the boys went to prek, and will graduate next dec with my Bachelors of Music Education. LOVE IT<br><br>
(so much so that the only reason I am on here is procrastinating doing my homework)

 

[aishy]

I have knit night on Tuesdays (I don't go every week), belly dance class on Wednesdays, and occasional other moms nights out/book club meetings I attend.<br><br>
Someday i'll do the school thing, but I really couldn't concentrate on it right now & I know it.<br><br>
aisling

 

[MorganRiley]

besides going back to school...<br><br>
i have to ask...what interests or hobbies or sports did you do BEFORE having children?

 

[Ianthe]

i am taking 6 credit hours at the CC and love it<br><br>
Some local MDC mamas and i are starting up a knit group too, so that should be nice.

 

[lalaland42]

graduate school, book club, weekly MNO, yoga class, cooking class, movie night by yourself... I could go on and on.<br><br>
I run a meetup.com group for progressive parents (in a conservative city) and next week we are having a MNO. It will be great! We are meeting for beer and chat. You could join a meetup group for a hobby.

 

[zaftigmama]

I don't think I got enough sleep - but when I first read the thread title I thought you meant you didn't want to be a mommy anymore, and I thought it was going to be a really sad thread.<br><br>
You're looking for something to do in addition to being a mom - I second the idea of a bookgroup. I'm in one, it's a once a month comittment, and I love it. I'm also in graduate school, finishing my teaching certification. What's neat about grad school now is there are so many great schedules. Some classes meet once a month, but some meet one weekend a month, or a series of Saturdays, some are partly online.<br><br>
If you love math, you could teach at a GED program in the evenings. My neighbor does that a few nights a week, makes some money for herself, and feels good about helping adults get their GED's. Or you could do some tutoring for kids who need to pass these ridiculous standardized tests, and the tests are very math heavy.<br><br>
Or, maybe start an exercise program - you mentioned yoga. I take yoga once a week (I wish I could do it more often) and it's the highlight of my weeks sometimes. We joined the local Y, which has so many different classes or the gym if I just want to work out. I definitely find exercise a stress reliever.<br><br>
When I first had two young kids and wanted to get out at night, I took cooking classes at a local comm. college. I loved them, ended up finishing the certificate course, and taught culinary arts when I got my first teaching job.<br><br>
Good luck picking something, it's so nice that your family is encouraging you to get out and do something for yourself.

 

[msiddiqi]

wow, so many great ideas <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> I do love crafty things, I like to get my hands into everything - knitting, painting, sewing. Definitely thinking of a class like that. I really really do want to grad school, but yeah, I'm so undecided about it. I probably won't really work full-time for a long time because I'm planning to homeschool but I wanted something that would either help me with the homeschooling or ... well, I don't know how to put it into words. I love the sciences, and I feel like I'd love to get back into it especially because I'm always researching about vaccines etc, and I have so many ppl who come to me asking me info, and I think it would be helpful to have a better understanding of the human body etc. But then, I'd also love to go do photography or something in the arts. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> I'm so all over the place. I remember when I was in high school and they did those career placement exams, I think I was placed under everything under the sun. This is probably why I haven't decided anything yet.<br>
Volunteer work sounds interesting to me. I actually always wanted to do that with DS though. I wanted to help the community and involve him in it so he gets a sense of something else besides his own needs from a very early age. I know this wouldn't be my own time but during the day it would be great - is there anything I could do with him at such an early age (he's 2.5 yo). I was thinking going to a soup kitchen that my BIL goes to but he said he wouldn't recommend bringing such a little kid and a baby.<br>
Zaftigmama, I could see how a sleepy person could make the title out to sound so sad <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> But no, I love being a mom, I just need to get out of that mode a little so I can be a better mom.

 

[Ruthla]

Personally, if my youngest was only 3mo, I wouldn't be in any hurry to broaden my horizons. I was quite satisfied with "baby lust" when each of mine were that little.<br><br>
But if you're feeling unsatisfied, I'd start slow. A yoga or art class once a week sounds reasonable. Something bigger, such as graduate school/career thoughts should wait until the baby is older IMO (that is, if you can afford to SAH- obviously not everybody has a choice about working or going to school when they have infants.)

 

[ma_Donna]

My volunteer work is with non-profit environmental groups.<br><br>
One of them is teens and they adore the boys so it's OK if I bring them to some meetings. I can't bring them all of the time or I wouldn't be able to concentrate enough <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> Sometimes I call into meetings, or just have to catch up with minutes. I absolutely bring something to the table even though I can't be 100% committed. I'm developing skills with my volunteer work that are very different from my professional and mommy skills. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/thumb.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="thumbs up">

 

[LavenderMae]

I guess after I got over being insulted and the obvious disrespect for mothering I would really think about what I truly want. There's nothing at all wrong with deciding you are very happy being a mother and letting your brain go numb. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll">