Hi I'm a single Mom of a beautiful 2year old little girl. My daughter is my life. I'm starting college in the fall and can't seem to make up my mind about a career. I would like to be a doctor either a pediatric or psychiatrist. I was wondering if any had any advice for me. I live in Texas and in my area there is 2 medical schools. If I don't get accepted at one of these I don't know how I would support my daughter. I have been told when you are in medical school you can't work because it occuppies all of your time. If anyone has attending medical school and supported a child please let me know how you did. My mom is willing to help me with my daughter but if i'm out of town she can't. Any advice please

Hi Honey,

I know how you are feeling, I am currently at a community college, my major is biology. I am 29 and the proud single mother of a 6 and 3.5 year olds. I know that the road ahead of me is hard if you hang there we can do this together. Take the classes one semester at a time. I have began to make sacrifices for my career as well as my children. I have moved in with my parents, thank God they are the kind of grandparents that are loving there roles. So I have live in babysitters, I advise building a support network of family and friends who you can rely on. If you want something bad enough you do what ever is neccessary to get there. Look at athletes who run marathons the training is grueling, all they do is train mentally and physically beleiving there is not only a gold medal at the end of the race but also a sense of accomplishment. Hang in There sister. Only you can make the decision, for me I do not want to be in 50s and wishing I had at least tried to become a MD.
I will leave you with the Special Olympics Oath
" Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt" Yours truly,

foxyroxy

Thanks for your response. I have decided to not attend Medical school, but I have chosen to become an attorney. I think I would enjoy it more because I am not very good with some things that a MD might deal with. i would like to make a difference as an attorney and maybe change society's view of an attorney. For me personally I would like to take part in putting a murderer away or even family law and help a single mother through her custody battle, as we can both relate to her situation of being a single mother.

I have discussed my career choice with my Mom and she is behind me 100% which is a great thing because I also live at home. My grandmother, on the other hand, asked me why did I want to become an attorney so I explained and I could just hear her disaproving she would like me to be a dental assitant or something that only takes a few months. One of her comments was 'well, thats a lot of school' my response to that is it will be worth it in the end. So I know this career choice is demanding too. SO if you have any tips for me I would appricate it. I'll be starting school in August. Thanks

Honey (like your name ),

Take it one day at a time, and do it to the best of your abilities. What I would suggest, only b/c I've heard of other women doing this kind of thing is to actually go or call the schools that you want to attend. Make an appointment with the admissions counselor to set up a time where you can discuss and get as much information as you can to maximize your chances of being accepted into that school.

From what I have heard, many of these admissions counselors are very helpful and understanding...it could be a good idea for you. If you don't make it for the first application cycle, you can always try again the next year. Or you can go the other way and be bold enough to move out of state with your child, or to leave her at your mothers and visit as frequently as you can.

You're already a single mother which shows many of us that you are a strong individual, and its not to say that you can't make it away from your hometown. There is always options like financial aid (you can talk to FA advisors as well) and on campus childcare. It's doable.

I once had a great discussion going with a 2nd yr med student over on the old MomMD forum...she was a single mother of a 3 y/o boy and she was doing fine...it was difficult, but she was making it and flying high! You'll be surprised at how much support you recieve from the school staff and classmates. Always consider your options.

Good Luck to you ,

Annie

[QUOTE]Originally posted by caligirl:):
[qb]Honey (like your name ),

Thanks my Mom, Grandma, and most of my family call me Honey. It was a nickname given to me when i was a baby and it stuck with me.


[Quote]
or to leave her at your mothers and visit as frequently as you can.

I'm not saying anything bad about the mothers who do this, but I can't. I will not leave my daughter. The longest I have been away from her was one night and I thought I was going crazy. I have stayed home since she was born and going to school and working will be enough time away from her. But thanks for your advice.

Honey,

I feel the same way you do when it comes to schooling away from your child. I was in a predicament where I had to choose from UC Berkeley (6hrs up north from where I live) and UCLA, where my husband already attends. I chose UCLA, even though Berkeley has a "better" name to it...from what I've heard. I thought it was worth suggesting, everybody thinks differently.

Do what you feel is right in your gut and be happy. If you can't stay away from you kid, then don't. You'll be miserable if you do, and that can take effect on your performance in school whether it be Law School or Medical School.

Take Care,

Annie