These days there are times when children and parents are studying in colleges. Back to school or college time is a challenging time for any family. There are preparations that must take place so that the kids will have a smooth start to the year. Parents often want to remain engaged and involved in their children’s learning. Back to school or college night is typically the official kickoff to the new school year, from a parent’s perspective. Even after the kids are in school there are typically adjustments that take time to adjust to. Parents also have their normal workload in addition to all these adjustments. It can seem overwhelming for many parents.

This can be an especially challenging time when they have parents going back to college as well. There’s now an even larger adjustment that must be made. You may have financial aid to deal with, and then there are classes to attend. Even online classes require much time spent in front of the computer. The kids are used to having your full attention each day. Now they’re feeling as if their parent is being yanked in all different directions. The parent now feels more stress because they must complete school work on top of all their normal duties.

When a parent is in school, the family typically has to make financial adjustments as well. This is owed both to the cost of tuition as well as the likelihood of working fewer hours to open up room for classes. Often times, financial aid will cover a portion of the expenses, however, not all of them. All the normal bills are still due, in addition to what isn’t covered by the loans. There’s also new debt on top of it all. The family may have to take a step back in terms of their standard of living, as well as turn to cash advance loans to make ends meets as the household takes a hit in income.

Children don’t always take these changes well. Spouses are typically in the same boat. You may be asking yourself if it’s really worth it. This is a question you need to have answered before you begin this journey. While determining the value of going back to school before enrolling won’t guarantee you won’t experience doubt along the way, it will provide the foundation for your resolve in those moments of uncertainty.

If you’re working towards finishing a degree you’ve started years ago, the sense of accomplishment alone is gratifying. If you’re looking to get a promotion at your job (Harvard Business Review article) that requires furthering your education, it’s definitely a smart choice. Even those who are simply taking continuing education courses to maintain certifications or credentials are still working towards a worthwhile goal.

Getting your finances in good order is critical for any family that has students. Careful budgeting and being prepared for unexpected expenses may have been an overlooked step. It’s well worth it to take a few moments out to review your current situation and make some decisions. Even if it means hiring a babysitter, it’s a necessary step. Decide what is most important, and create a budget based around those items. See if there’s anything that you may be able to scale back on to make your situation better.

Reducing anxiety during such a pivotal time will make everyone’s lives much easier. Be certain that you’re considering the appropriate amount of time when considering your finances. Although you may only consider this term to be what’s immediately affecting you, the bigger picture is what dictates reality. Overall, careful planning and execution will have you worrying less about the amount of stress you’re under. You’ll be able to focus on being a great parent, employee, and now student, all at once.