7 practical ways to find the time and make it work
Starting a Successful Mums course while juggling children, work and family life can feel like a big commitment. You may be excited to begin but also wondering how you’re going to fit everything in.
Our courses offer much more than a qualification. You’ll gain new skills, practical careers advice and support from trainers who understand the realities of family life. Depending on your course, you may also benefit from employer connections, help with job applications and interview preparation and guidance on finding a job that fits your skills, experience and family life.
The time you spend studying can also help you get back into the rhythm of working life – meeting deadlines, learning new things and making time for your own goals.
Many of our graduates have gone on to find jobs they love, so we asked our mums what helped them stay on track and how they made their course work around family life.
Here are seven of their most useful tips.
1. Get clear on why you’re doing it
Start by thinking about what you genuinely want. What would you like your life to look like this time next year? Where could gaining new skills or a qualification lead you?
Perhaps you want to return to a career you enjoyed, find a family-friendly role, build your confidence or show your children that it’s never too late to learn something new.
Write your reason down somewhere you’ll see it. On the more challenging days, remembering why you started can help you keep going.
A fully funded course is an opportunity to invest in yourself and your future. You don’t need to change everything at once – small, consistent steps can take you much further than you might expect.
2. Make time rather than trying to find it
If you wait for a completely free day, you may be waiting for quite a while! Instead, block out specific study times each week and treat them as appointments.
Choose times that fit your family’s routine, such as when the children are at school or nursery, after bedtime or during a quieter weekend morning.
You could also try the Pomodoro Technique: study for 25 minutes, take a five-minute break and then repeat. A short period of focused work can feel much more manageable than facing several hours at once.
Sarah, one of our super-organised mums shared:
“Planning was key. I set myself mini deadlines so I didn’t get caught out – it only takes one child with a bug to derail your study! It helped me stay on track and avoid leaving everything until the last minute.”
3. Make use of small pockets of time
Small pockets of time can soon add up. You might read a section while waiting at school pick-up, review your notes over lunch or work on an assignment while your child is at an activity.
It can also be helpful to notice how easily spare minutes disappear into scrolling. Swapping just a little of that time for your course could give you an extra hour or two across the week.
Try not to create study time at the expense of sleep, meals, exercise or the things that help with your wellbeing. Studying alongside family life is about finding a sustainable routine, not exhausting yourself for a few weeks.
4. Let the people around you support you
Think about who might be able to make things a little easier. Could your partner cover bedtime routine while you complete an assignment? Could you swap a school pick-up with a friend? Could a family member entertain the children on webinar day?
It can also help to explain to your children that you’re studying and need some quiet time. Seeing you work towards a goal can be a valuable lesson for them too.
You’ll also have the encouragement of your Successful Mums group. Our learners share ideas, cheer one another on and understand that family life doesn’t always go according to plan.
5. Ask for practical help
Asking for help isn’t a sign that you can’t manage, it’s a practical way to create the time you need.
Rather than asking someone to “help more”, try making the request specific. You could ask your partner to take full responsibility for one household task or arrange for somebody to look after the children at a set time each week.
Gill, a mum of three, explained how she and her partner approached it:
“We blocked out time when one parent was in charge of the children and the person studying left the house. Cafés, libraries and hotel lobbies are all good places to study.”
Even one uninterrupted hour can make a real difference.
6. Talk to us when family life takes over
Our courses are designed with mums and real family life in mind. Our online courses usually include one live webinar each week, with around 15–20 hours of independent study to fit around your routine.
Of course, children become ill, childcare arrangements change and some weeks are simply harder than others. If you’re struggling, talk to your trainer as early as possible.
There will be deadlines to work towards but your trainer can help you prioritise, get back on track and prevent one difficult week from affecting your whole course.
7. Notice and celebrate your progress
Finished a module? Submitted an assignment? Learnt how to do something that felt daunting a few weeks ago? Take a moment to recognise it.
You don’t have to wait until you receive your certificate to feel proud of yourself. Celebrating the smaller milestones can build your confidence and help you maintain momentum.
Successful Mums has supported more than 12,000 women through our courses and events. Every one of them began by taking a first step – and each step of progress counts.
Finding a routine that works for you
Balancing a course with family life isn’t about creating a perfect timetable and following it without interruption. It’s about planning where you can, adjusting when you need to and accepting that progress may sometimes look a little messy.
The time you invest could help you rebuild your confidence, discover a new direction or move closer to part-time, full-time or flexible work that suits your family.
If you’re considering a Successful Mums course but are worried about fitting it in, take a look at our courses HERE to find one that suits your goals and family life. If you have any questions, please get in touch – we can talk through what’s involved and help you decide whether it’s the right time and course for you.