Hi! My name is Kathi. I’m 41 and can’t believe I’m back in school. I really thought I was done with the school chapter of my life. I have two children, ages 6 and 8. We live in Rockville, Maryland, so my classes are divided between the Shady Grove and main campuses. I ‘m part-time but am taking three courses this fall � Human Behavior, Social Policy and Social Research. I’m hoping to finish in three years. My approach is to load up a little on the academic work this year to make things easier when I’m doing the Field and Clinical Work in years two and three. I anticipate it will be a challenge in terms of the family schedule to balance the academic work with the Field and Clinical Work. I will also be making use of my summers to the extent possible.

It’s been a bit of a blur so far. We all started school the same day, coincindentally also my birthday! It was a rocky drop-off at the girls’ school. My first grader has been worried about this since last Spring. Then I had to literally drag my third grader in the door of the classroom and hand her over to the teacher; she was really worked up about the homework load and social issues this year. My heart was a bit heavy as I hopped on the DC Beltway to go to my 9 a.m. class in Baltimore. Once I was there, though, it felt great to be out in the world again, pursuing something that’s all mine. I’ve been home full-time for the past nine years, so this is quite an adjustment for my family. In addition to the course work, I work a few hours a week from home to help with tuition costs. My girls are not happy that mom is doing these other things. I have been trying not to leave for Baltimore on Tuesday mornings until the kids are off to school but, since I’ve now been late (5 minutes, but still late) for class two weeks in a row, I’m going to have to come clean and tell them the real deal.

On Fridays I take two classes at Shady Grove. It works well in the sense that I’m not concerned about being home in the afternoon to help with homework and I have a much shorter commute. The only negative is that the kids’ school has a 12:30 dismissal every Friday so some juggling on the child care is necessary.

Reading this, one would think that I am nuts to be undertaking this Master’s Program. Part of me would have to agree. The other part is at a loss to explain why this just feels like the right thing to do. I’m not entirely certain where I am going with this degree. I do plan to follow the Clinical track and would like, however indirectly, to make some use of my law degree. I know I don’t want to practice law in a private firm as I once did. The hours and demands are just not compatible with my idea of family life. Law was never a perfect fit for me and the experiences of motherhood have changed me in ways I never would have anticipated. So here I go….