Perhaps the most common concern case managers hear from people seeking new skills for a new career is the challenge of going back to school with kids. It can feel overwhelming to balance the needs at home with attending classes.
While these are completely valid concerns, there’s hope and many options that can ease your client’s concerns. The first step is to always offer a sympathetic ear to the realities of up-leveling while caring for a family. This is especially true for parents with young children, as they require a lot of attention. When children aren’t in school yet, some parents may think they should wait to start new careers. But not everyone can afford to wait.
Once you’ve let your client share their specific concerns and fears around going back to school with kids teach your clients about the family development model. The concept, created by the researcher E.M. Duvall back in the 1950s, states that families develop through different stages over time. An important takeaway is that all members of the family continue their development — including parents enhancing their lives as children grow.
To accomplish this growth, parents often require a strong support system to reduce stress. That’s where case managers like you fit in. With your experience and connection to resources and services, you can make going back to school with kids easier and more likely to succeed.
Be Part of an Expanded Network of Support
Parents need additional support, both emotionally and practically, to develop their personal and professional lives. If they don’t have nearby family or loved ones who can help them complete tasks or organize their lives, you can connect them with people who can.
For example, students who take MedCerts certification training programs work directly with an education support team. These professionals can work through career path options and concerns students may have about schedules and requirements. The MedCerts Student Success Team is just a phone call, email or text away.
Look for Nonprofit Resources To Help
Often, parents don’t know about the resources available to them in the nonprofit sector of your community. You may be able to help them identify affordable childcare, free transportation opportunities, after-school programs or other services they can use to free up their time.
Consider creating a document you can share with up-to-date phone numbers, websites and locations for popular and commonly needed services of parents. When your clients learn about the opportunities nearby, they may feel a big sense of relief as they prepare to go back to school.
Help Them Find the Right School or Program
Finally, traditional schools that demand parents attend in-person classes may be impossible when a child is sick or needs a ride somewhere. A better option is a flex learning path through an online school like MedCerts that lets students learn online from anywhere and at any time that’s convenient for them and create schedules that fit best in their lives.
By using the innovative and interactive tools provided online, MedCerts students can complete their studies even when children demand extra attention. They’ll feel proud of their accomplishments, a confident feeling that can help them be better parents, too.
