IS/JSA and Open University Studies.

shegirl

Just a thought,as you still have some time to go....could you do some voluntary work before you start OU and need to start looking for work?

It will help with getting you into routine and also give you some recent experience to help you with looking for work.

Oldernotwiser

Plenty of people study with the OU, work and have a family life. You certainly won't need every weekend and evening free for study, a few evenings after the children have gone to bed and a couple of hours at the weekend will be plenty.

Don't forget that your youngest will be at school soon which will give you far more time than you have at present.

heretolearn_2

congratulations on making plans and working towards a qualification.

If you were a SAHM, all of a sudden you are facing all the kids in school, plus studying and working and it feels like a lot to take on out of nowhere. It's a big change to your life so I think it's perfectly natural to have a few colly-wobbles about it.

but I promise you, you can do it, it'll be great,in a few months time you'll wonder why you were so worried. It IS achievable to work part-time and study part-time as a single parent; lots do and there's no reason you can't either. OU is great as unlike a standard course it really can fit in around what time is convenient to you. If it's a Level 1 course take the 16 hours with a pinch of salt, I only get to that sort of committment on Level 3 courses and only because I'm determined to get a first.

Good luck with it all, it's the start of a better life for all of you and you'll be a great role model for your children :T