Moms@School: Avoiding "Mommy Brain"

Become an A+ Mom

Breast pumps and bouncer seats, playdates and pacifiers. These are building blocks of the mommy vocabulary. But as much as moms love their 24/7 caregiving job, they often long to add more adult vocabulary and interaction into their days.

Unfortunately, many moms don't have the option of commuting to class to earn a degree or just get some intellectual stimulation. But moms have found the perfect way to stay connected with the outside world and avoid succumbing to total "mommy brain" -- online education.

According to the Sloan Consortium (Sloan-C), almost 3.5 million students were taking at least one online course during the fall 2006 term. In fact, enrollment rates at online schools have increased at an annual rate of 9.7 percent, compared to an overall rate of 1.5 percent for all colleges combined.

Flexibility
It's no surprise that online schools are increasing in popularity, especially with the mommy set. The flexibility is reason enough for moms to pursue this education format. Online courses eliminate the obstacles of transportation and time, allowing the busy mom to "attend" class when it suits her schedule. And women are certainly making time for their education: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in October 2006, 56 percent of all undergrads were women.

Positive Role Model
A mom pursuing online education provides an excellent example for her children. By taking time for her education, she demonstrates the importance of lifelong learning as well as the art of creating goals and sticking to them. Children learn that mom is a separate individual with a life and a purpose outside of her service to them. This helps them understand that, though they are a top priority in mom's life, the world does not revolve around them.

Personal Satisfaction
Kids are not the only ones to benefit from mom's online education, of course. For many moms, online courses are a way to preserve sanity by putting their intellectual energy into something that has nothing to do with potty training or princess dresses. And this benefit extends to the kids as well. After all, a sane mom is a happy mom, and a happy mom is better equipped to care for her children.

Moms who wish to invest in their families and in themselves are making time for both with online education. What could be a better investment of your intellectual energy?

by Robyn Tellefsen

Get Matched With a School for You

	* = required fields
Career of Interest:	*
Desired Career Path:	*
Preferred Method of Study:	*
First Name:	*
Last Name:	*
Phone Number:	*
E-mail Address:	*
Zip / Postal Code:	*