At the age of 41, my mother decided to go back to school. I was ten years old at the time and experiencing such milestones as my first crush, my first pimple and my first tube of lip gloss. I must admit, I didn’t make my mother’s transition from full-time mom to full-time student easy. To this day, my mother loves to spice up family gatherings with stories about how I would slip notes under her locked bedroom door while she attempted to type a paper. I wanted answers to some pressing questions such as “Are we having Pizza for Dinner? Circle ‘yes’ or ‘no’”; or “Which of Charlie’s Angels do I look most like? Sabrina, Kelly or Jill?” The notes were clearly not a cry for help, but more a cry for attention.

What I didn’t know at the time was that my mother was a pioneer in a growing trend of women over 40 returning to school. In fact, according to the Education Resource Institute, the number of students over 40 has increased a whopping 235 percent between 1970 and 1993! For many women, going to school is a wonderful way to improve career options and enjoy higher salaries and benefits. In addition, having financial independence is so crucial particularly because we women are simply outliving the men in our lives.

As parents, we know it can be difficult for our kids to balance class schedules, homework, tests and the ever important social life. As a grown-up, it can be really overwhelming when you throw in the roles of wife and mother not to mention a new classroom culture primarily comprised of people who send electronic birthday cards and take pictures with a cell phone the size of a quarter. What’s even worse is the boys in your class say “Yes Mam” rather than “Hey Babe”. There are a few things to help ease in the transition and make back-to-school for mom more manageable.

1. Set up Scheduled Study Time
   In the average American home, there are meal times, work times, bath times, and bed times. We operate best when a routine is established. When re-entering the classroom, it is important to build-in study time into your daily routine. Identify a time and a location and let everyone know it!

2. Leave the Sock Drawer Alone
   Remember that families can survive bathrooms that aren’t spotless and menus with T.V. dinners as the mealtime special. In addition, it is time to delegate! There is no reason why your 7 year old can’t feed the dog or take out the trash. Everyone in the family needs to pitch in and help mom with her added responsibilities.

3. Hit the Books with your Kids
   Shared study time can be a great way to spend some quality time with your kids while going for the A! It is also a wonderful way to “lead by example”. You can demonstrate good study habits and provide some guidance for your child on homework methods. In addition, your kids may offer some helpful insights into how to text message fellow students rather than passing notes in class.

4. Just Say No
   Something has to give. You can’t maintain the insane schedule of working 40 hours, putting a hot meal on the table, being the homeroom mom, and driving carpool four days a week. Adding school into an already crazy calendar will lead to early burn out. Do not over commit and try to free yourself from any unnecessary extracurricular activities.

   My mother’s decision to return to school in her 40s led to a wonderful career that lasted over 25 years. I respect my mother’s decision and regret any attempts I made to distract her from pursuing her dream. For those of you who are considering returning to the classroom, I say sharpen your pencil and strap on your backpack – the school bell is ringing just for you!