Any Moms with There G.E.D?

Hi K.,

I am a single mother of 4 children(3 are still living with me). My oldest is 27 and my youngest is 13. My 13 year old was really having trouble getting up and going to school, so I looked into some of the "on line" programs. It might work perfectly for you. They are free(as long as you are 21 or under)! They will provide you with a Laptop at no charge. Some even have help with internet charges. They are sponsored by school systems in the state you reside in, so you get a high school diploma when you finish. If you are behind(time off for baby's birth?), you can take one extra class a semester until you are caught up. And they have teachers for every class that you can email, phone, IM, if you need help or don't understand anything.I have been very impressed. The one I decided on is Kaplan. http://www.kaplanonlineschools.com. There is also one called Washington Virtual Academy http://www.k12.com/wava
I believe both both programs are still enrolling for the this fall sememter.

I want to applaud you for breastfeeding(!) and wanting to get an education. I believe you must be 16 before you may take the GED. But I would look into the online programs. They also sponsor student get togethers occasionally so you can meet the people you talk to online.

S.
PS. I was also born on June 29th!

I have my GED and three of my kids have theirs also. One of my girls is going to technical High School. It is at the College. At age 16 with 11 or more credits you can too. It is very hard to go to High School and take care of a baby. When I was young it was not allowed. In college it is really nice because they treat you like an adult. You take care of business and come and go as you need to. I wish you luck.

K.,
Don't let mean people get you down!!! You are being a good mom and doing what you think is best, that's what is the most important thing you need to know. (My brother's girlfriend had my nephew when she was 15 and they are all doing just fine now so you will be in 10 years too.)

Anyway, my mom didn't graduate and got her GED at 36 and had a hard time being respected and getting a job because of it. My dad got his when he was 23 and then went to PCC and PSU so he has a BA. He has not had the same problems she has because he has a college degree. Having that degree really made a difference to our family and what he could make to take care of us. Education really matters....but do you have to have a GEd? NO! But if you don't have one, then you NEED at least an Associates Degree or higher.

I am a high school teacher and so I know I should tell you to stay in High school, but I also used to work with teen moms, and I know the realities of life. I just want to stress that just getting your Ged isn't enough, you HAVE to go on, or you need to stay and finish. But in the 2 years it would take to finish high school you could finish a 2 year college degree. Just remember that college builds on what you learned in hs, so you may struggle with the classes at first. I hope this helps, if you have more questions please feel free to email me. Just remember you need to what makes the most sense to you.

K.,

Don't let anyone discourage you from going after your goals. Your son will benefit from any attempt you make to better your lives together and the key to advancing your chances is finishing your education. My mother was also a teen mom. She had my older brother when she was 17 right before she graduated from high school. She went on to not only finish her high school diploma, but also went to college, nursing school, anesthesia school and holds 2 master's degrees and a PhD. She's now a nursing professor at a state university. Our grandmother lived with us most of our childhoods to help raise us while Mom was in school and working. Even though she had to be away a lot, we have always been inspired by and loved Mom for how hard she worked for what she wanted for herself and for us. Don't give up. If it's what you really want to do, you should do everything in your power to make it happen.

Good for you for wanting to get your G.E.D. even if your counsellor thinks you shouldn't. It is your right to get that and you should. How will you work if you do not have a G.E.D. At 15 you have a lot learning left to do. I am thrilled to see that you are trying to do what's right. There are lots of home-schooling programs available, and many accredited from the state and federal levels. You have a right to a free and public education too..even if you are not living at home anymore or anything, they have to let you go to school if you are a minor. She is treading on your rights as an American and you should tell her so. If she continues with her discriminatory attitude take it to another level and report her to whatever agency you can, and especially to the the school board. Tell them what she told you. I am sure her attitude will change if she finds you are willing to fight her for it. Write a letter..not a "loud" letter..just tell them the facts as you see them politely and clearly. Be respectful, but stick up for your rights as an American and say "I will get my G.E.D...not just because I want to but because my son deserves better than a "half way" done educated mother. You want to finish..do it. If it means homeschooling, find a good tutor so you don't fall behind etc. Check out your local learning centers, job centers etc and be vocal about your need to finish your education so that you can make a better life for your son. I don't see that the father of the child is involved, I don't know if he is or not...but it is your right. SO, use your right. Whether you are a minor or an adult, you have a right to have a G.E.D. and most counties have some way for you to get one outside the school system. Good Luck to you and I applaud your desire to continue your education. Keep it up and fight for it if you have to. If you message me with where you are, I probably have some links you can use. I am wondering if there is a possibility that the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation might help you. No, you don't need "rehab" but they might find you qualified if you are denied services by the school. Feel free to message me and I will find the links for your location. Take care and good luck!

Hi K. -

You did not say whether you are trying to complete high school. Is that why your counselor won't let you get your GED? Do you intend to further your education with job training or college? You didn't say when you will turn 16, but you might consider looking into Job Corp. They offer a program for 16 years and up, you can take your son with you and live in a family dorm, attend school, get your diploma or GED and job training before you are done. The center is in Palmer.

It's a very big job to raise a child and go to school, I know because I raised 3 kids as a single mother. I wish you the best and - if you were my daughter - I would be very proud of you for wanting to make a better life for you and your child.

Blessings,
M.

I got my GED spring 2008. I enrolled full time in college in summer 2008 and am still attending. I will graduate next June with an Early Childhood Education Degree. I am also an Honor Roll student, and am a member of the Honor Society. My GPA fluctuates between 4.0 and 3.65. I receive enough Pell Grants and scholarships to live on and go to school. My childcare was paid for by a grant as well, and now my child is in Head Start. I am doing fine and am continuing my education just fine. There are GED programs through the DHS Teen branch that will let you go to GED classes at a college and pay for your childcare while you go to classes.

K.,

My sister pursued her G.E.D. and successfully completed college with a 4.0 (A). I say, don't let anyone stop you!

I don't know what the online options are in Oregon, but Washington has WAVA/K-12, and I think it's a super program for homeschooling students. However, the supporting materials can be expensive.

Please follow up with your district on homeschooling options. Do you have a supportive adult that can help you out? Ask that person to help advocate for you, because I am sure you are very busy right now.

Good luck with your pursuit and your choice.

Sincerely,
M.

I just got my GED this past June. I am 79 Yrs. of age. I am retired and was a very successful Realtor. Not having a high school diploma bothered me greatly. You will be setting an example for your children. You should not stop the pursuit of education. There are ways to achieve your goal online. You can stay at home with your children and go online to study. They are watching and we know that they imitate us. Work on your English and word usage in that study. If you can dream it you can achieve it. I DID AND SO CAN YOU, K.. YOU GO GIRL. B.

So I don't have a GED, nor am I a teen mother. However, I am in college with my 6 month old. It is tough to do school while taking care of an infant! But donn't give up!!!!!! What ever route you take, HS or GED, complete it and go onto college. Be asnproud of your education as you are of your son! When you are tired and want to give up, remember that you are setting an example for your son and setting him up for his future. He needs an educated mother as well as a loving mother!! There are many diffeent routes by which you can complete your education, so choose the one that works best for you and persue it with determination!

Good luck Mama!

Congratulations on being a proud breastfeeding mom and on questioning authority and standing up for yourself and your son! It wasn't totally clear to me from your request, but I'm guessing that your counselor wants you to stay in school rather than "dropping out" and working toward a GED, is that right? I actually disagree with the idea of encouraging teen moms to stay in school, because I think it is much more important to be a good mom to your child, rather than leaving him with someone else while you go to school (or work). I was on welfare for several years when my son was young, and I firmly believed (and still do) that I was doing him and the world a much better service by being a full-time mom and giving him all the care he needed (he is now a wonderful grown man with a child of his own). I finished my schooling and got a job later - you will have plenty of time to do that when he is older and becomes more independent. It seems to me that it would be ideal for you to work toward a GED on your own time rather than staying in a structured, full-time school program -you can take your time and work at your own pace, studying while your son is sleeping (as long as you get enough sleep yourself!) or maybe while he spends a couple of hours with other family members. You could probably receive some tutoring or support if you need it. I think that so much of what is taught in regular high schools is unnecessary, boring, and irrelevant to living a good life, and that you can learn the necessary skills by studying for your GED and also by following your own interests. Wishing you the best!

I am consistently impressed by your questions on this site. Clearly you are trying to be a great mother, and whoever is saying your child deserves better is WAY out of line.

Do what makes sense for you and your baby, right now. If a GED makes sense, do that. If some sort of high school makes sense, do that. If taking a couple of years off makes sense, do that. Only you know what your support network can help you with and what you and your baby need; only you have the best idea how to balance that.

And this lady at school, is clearly not part of your support network.

I will say that I considered dropping out of high school (because I was irritated by the triteness of it all) and asked an admissions officer for the college I eventually attended whether they would still look kindly upon my application if I did that. She said something like, "well, we like to see people finishing what they started" (which makes sense, they want the full $80,000 of a four year student if they admit you). HOWEVER, you would not be dropping out (like I was), you would be actively choosing your education, and you can certainly sell yourself in college applications with essays about your strong choices and how you work towards and complete your goals, even though your life circumstances didn't make the standard path practical. College admissions officers like to see people with good writing skills, spunk, and something original to say (can you imagine reading 1000 applications???? I can't).

;). Do what is right. You probably know what that is :).

Hi K.

Was this person trying to get you quit school althogether? Because if so, that's just wrong. If this person was trying to get you to try and get a dipolma, then it wasn't really trying to be 'mean', albiet, she/he was probably not being sympathedic.

Simply put, a dipolma is looked on with more respect than a G.E.D. It sucks, but it's life. If you can get your dipolma, but you're not sure you can do it while raising a baby, just try. Try hard. It will be worth it in the long run.

But either way, do NOT give up on your education.

Hi there... I am a Mom w/ my GED. Let me tell you that you need at least your GED or a high school diploma to get anywhere w/ a job, even to flip burgers. You will also need one or the other to further your education, which I highly suggest doing. I was a high school drop out due to partying too much in high school, etc. I didn't have any kids until much later in life after I got married, BUT even by myself w/ no little ones to worry about, it was hard to support myself financially at times w/ only my GED. Things will be hard, but it will be very VERY worth it to you and your son if you can further your education in ANY way.
I am 30 now and back in school waiting to get accepted into a nursing program and my ONLY regret in life is not going back to school sooner when I was younger and more resilient. I have had to work EXTRA hard, as will you, but please set you and your son up for success as early as you can. Being a parent and a student is very hard... but it will be even harder w/o a certificate or degree of some kind. Find out what programs there might be in your area to help you in your situation and take advantage of any help you can get. REMEMBER that you can do ANYTHING you want to in life, no matter what situation you come from, as long as you stay focused. Surround yourself w/ lots of supportive people and anyone that isn't supportive doesn't deserve a second thought. Don't let anyone ever tell you that you can't do something!! Take baby steps... I have had to go part-time a lot and I've even had to take quarters off for different reasons. It has taken me a lot longer than the average student to get through my pre-req's, etc. but I know that it will be worth it when I finally graduate. Stay positive and when you hit a bump in the road, remind yourself that you are doing this for both you and your son. :)
Good Luck!! If you ever need some motivation or you ever need someone to talk to, please message me.

"It does not matter how slow you go, as long as you do not stop." Confucious

K.,
It sucks that you have such a negative person in your life. I got my G.E.D. and was even able to attend a 4 year college with my scores. They don't prevent you from going to college at all. You won't be able to get into the military with one....but you still can get an education. It is important that you stay in school as long as possible, there is so much more than academics that you learn in high school.
I have a son your age, and it is very important to me that he stay in school. I was a teen mom (my son was born when I was 17). I missed my junior and senior years in high school.
Looking back now I wish I would have stayed in school because there is soo much that I missed out on. My friends all went to prom and had a graduation ceremony, not to mention 10 year reunion. These things I missed out on because I dropped out and got my G.E.D.

You can accomplish much with a GED! You can attend community college and pursue all your dreams. Go for homeschooling and stay away from the negatve influences. Be strong and pursuing your dreams will make you the best mom!

See if you can get your "teacher" to get her/him to say that in front of someone, then report her/him to her/his supervisor. If she/he is not replaced, get a different teacher, go to a different school or go on line.

You are doing your self and your son a good and life long step up in the world. After you complete your G.E.D. go to Community College. Education is always something you need and deserve.

Congratulations on your son.

I have my GED. I actually left school 2 years before I had my first child at age 17. My plan was to get my GED and then enroll at PCC right away to pursue a teaching career. However that did not happen, once I was not enrolled in school with a set schedule I found it all to easy to fall into a minimum wage job and a slacker life style. At 19 I had my first son, we were living with my parents with no "future" in site. I knew this was not an ideal way to raise a child so I went to a technical school. While it did provide me the opportunity to find a specialized job, I also had large student loan to try to pay off. It did provide years of a stable ok paying job for about 8 years, but now in this economy even health care is no guarantee of getting a job or having enough hours to get health insurance. I do think that if I had finished high school I would have had more options available to me as a GED does exclude me from advancing in some directions where the diploma is required. Also there is still a stigma about a GED, people automatically assume that you are not as responsible or not a hard worker, thinking that the GED was the easy route. I am 34 years old now and some people still look down at me, and like I mentioned before I have been denied opportunities that required a diploma over the GED. You have to consider the long term for you and your child when making this choice.

And as far as homeschooling goes, I don't really think that's a good choice, you have to be extremely disciplined to stay with it. It is far to easy to put it off or get distracted from the work. And also taking care of your baby will take away from your schooling time, at least while you are at school you are not interrupted with diapers and crying.

It's a very hard decision. Each person has to decide for themselves what will be the best choice.
Best wishes on your baby and making a decision for you and your son's future.

I cannot see for the life of me what your educational decisions have to do with being a mom. There are mothers all over the globe with varying educations. There are mothers with doctoral degrees and mothers who are illiterate. "Your child deserves better" really does not apply to your education.

I can tell you that my sister in law does not have her diploma OR GED and is as capable of being a mom as I am.

Being a mom and getting an education is a very challenging experience (I'm in my thirties, two kids, and a college student). Being a mom at fifteen is a challenge too. The fact that you are looking at all of your educational options - and considering which are best for you and your son - shows that you are being responsible and know that being a mom and meeting personal goals require the flexibility of using alternate methods to meet both your needs. Way to go! I know middle aged moms who haven't figured that out. Sounds like this other woman hasn't figured it out either.

I'm sure, with how young you are, you get more than your share of people's criticism or "advice". However, there are nosy/mean/irritating people no matter when you become a mom and they are everywhere.. on the bus, in the store, in the family... Learning to deal with those types of people is hard. Usually, you need to remind yourself that what they think doesn't really matter. Then, just avoid talking to them when you can. The words I use are, "I don't really want to discuss it" or "Why exactly, did you need to know this?" or "I really don't think that you should be concerned about it, my councilor/parents/etc are helping me with this".

Remember, you are able to do this - and you are able to be a great mom. As to your education, I'd say to keep pressing on - for your sake, not for your son's - even if it takes longer or you have to go another route. You'll be happy that you did someday.

Good luck!

Even though I wasn't a mom just yet when I received my GED, it is still a rewarding achievement. It's always better to have your High School diploma, but if you choose to have just your GED...that should be your decision. Just make sure it's the right one that you want to make. I know that when you turn 16, if your education is a concern, you could try checking out Job Corps centers that have daycares on site or allow you to live off center. They could help you would with your GED, High School Diploma, college degree, and get a trade in a career field...all at once. Hope this helps. Btw, kudos to you for breastfeeding and congratulations on the new addition!

K.,

No matter what you do, you love your child...any parent can tell you that.

I cannot claim to be in your situation since I am an older parent (my twins are now 3 and I am 35).

However, your trying to improve your situation is a great lesson for yourself in what you will do for your child and a lesson for your child that anything is possible.

If you want your GED, get it!!! If you want more, go to college!!! There are many choices for moms today.

Be strong, love yourself, love your child. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING.

T.

K.,

Did you know, with a GED & a parents permission you can start college. ctuonline.com (Colorado Technical University - Online) is my college and I was speaking to them about my 14 yr old, and that's when I learned that she could go to college as soon as she got her GED.

perhaps you should request a conference with your teacher, principal & if necessary, a representative from the school superintendent office.

Good Luck & don't give up!!!

Your councelor has no right to tell you that. You have a few options. You can go back to school (and legally they have to let you in), or go through your county for your GED, or home school. You have every right to an educacation. If you choose to go through your high school, you will need to have omeone watch your baby ( I kow here in Benton County OR that they used to pay for daycare for teen moms to go back to school). I would go to your CSC office or DHS office and see what options you have through them. If this is your school councelor trying to keep you from going to school, I would go talk to your principle or the school district. If your parents are helping you out, it may be a good idea to have them talk to them too.

I think its great that you plan on continuing school even with your baby. It has to be hard being a teen mommy.

K.... being as young as you are, there are opportunities, ways for you to get a high school diploma rather than a GED. There is a huge difference between the two when it comes to applying for employment. Employers definitely take a diploma over a GED, they also take a college degree over a diploma... so shoot for the stars and go for your high school diploma. If you are in Washington State there is a virtual high school, high school online, that is accredited and you can get your diploma online and will be able to walk with your class come graduation. Your little boy will be a pre-schooler by that time and to watch you graduate, to celebrate with his grandparents will make a huge impression even at that young age. Your counselor is correct in pushing you to get that diploma, you and your baby boy deserve better, you can do better. Even homeschooling will get you your diploma, but your parents need to work with your counselor to make sure that you're getting all your classes. Again, go to www.ospi.wa.gov and they will have information on it as well. I applaud your desire to finish this first step in your education. Once you achieve junior status, you can apply for running start and get your AA degree at the same time you're studying for your high school diploma. Most community college campuses have a daycare program where you could leave your son while you're in classes. You might even qualify for financial aid in making this happen for the daycare. The running start classes are free, you just need to pay for your books.

Don't settle for the GED, you will limit your options later in life. You might think the counselor was mean, but she was giving you the best advice possible and working hard to prevent you from making a big mistake.

If your parents are in any way able to help you with childcare so that you can continue high school to get a diploma, I STRONGLY encourage you to do this. It is a hard choice, but one that you will NEVER, EVER regret. If you are seriously behind on your credits, Chemeketa has an accelerated program that allows for catching up so that you can graduate with your class. It is paid for by the school district and you get a free bus pass so transportation is taken care of, too. Is it possible that facing judgment from your peers is part of the reason you are reluctant to continue at your high school? You sound like a level-headed girl. Please don't sell yourself short by making a decision that can negatively impact the rest of your life. Bravo for choosing to breastfeed your baby! I'll hold a good thought for you, K.! Be wise!

Get your education. As far not being a good mommy for getting your GED, I think their are hundreds of reasons for some education. Including more earning potential later and being able to tell your child later that you did accomplish it.
Personally I have a masters and currently a stay at home mom, but I don't regret any of my education. I know I will use it someday, hopefully soon.

K.,

I didn't read all the responses so if this is repetitious I apologize. I think you should do what is right for you and your child as long as you get your education. Whether you recieve a GED or High School Diploma you still are showing that you believe education is important. The one thing I would caution you to look into is the legallity of dropping out of school to get a GED at 15. In some states (I believe Washington is one) you are required by law to remain in school until you turn 16 and your parents can be held financially responsible if you don't attend classes until that age. No matter which road you choose please just make sure you have explored every possible road and what the consequences can be then do what's right for you.

You've had some great advice given thus far, which is great. I quit high school half way through my junior year and went straight over to the community college and went through their high school completion program, obtaining my high school diploma 6 months earlier than I would have if I had stayed at the high school. Just a thought, in case you want to obtain the diploma instead at some point in the future. Maybe when your son is a bit older and in preschool. You may check into grants and/or scholarships for help in paying for it. Or just take a couple classes at a time and work to pay for it while your son is in school. I'm sure you'll figure out what works best for you and your little one.

This "good mom - bad mom" stuff is baloney. I think it's wrong to demean someone to force them to agree with your way of thinking. That said, the more education you get, the better your life will be later on, and the more choices you will have about the direction YOU want your life to take. Employers do treat a GED much less seriously than a diploma, so unless you have a college diploma too, you can expect to miss out on job opportunities. One thing is certain, if you don't get a HS degree it will be harder to convince your son to stay in school when he is a teen "because you didn't, and it was okay for you."

K.,
Ignore that woman and get your GED and then apply for scholarships and grants and go to college! She cannot stop you from getting an education!
You are so young and your education is very important. You will not be able to support your son if you cannot get a job. If you are unable to support your son you are setting yourself up for a hard life for both of you.
You have made a choice to have a child very young and now you have to make a choice to do what is best for yoru child, life is no longer about you and your feelings. That is what makes being a mom so hard. The only thing your litlte boy needs is love, food, shelter and a mom who can take care of herself. Also since you are breastfeeding you can pump while you are away from yoru son to make sure that he can still get 100% of his moms milk. You can do this! IF you need any help or encouraging words please feel free to contact me. God Bless you and your baby.

K.,
I'm happy to see that you are pursing finishing your high school education, no matter what form. Are you in Oregon? If so, Have you looked into Oregon Connections Academy? It is a fully accredited public online charter school. You could do your schooling at home and still earn your diploma. Curriculum and online teachers and support are all provided. Check out connectionsacademy.com for more info, or contact me and I'd be happy to talk with you about it. J.

That sucks! If you want to go for your GED, then do it. Anyone who's telling you that your son deserves better is a bit confused. Yes, it'll take you away from your son a little in order to get the education, but in the long term, having your GED will open more job opportunities. Even with a GED and not a college degree, it's hard to find a job that will support you and your son. Without a GED, your options will really be limited. If it's your counselor at school that is telling you that you can't get your GED, go talk to the principal or VP. Keep talking to people until you find someone who won't stand in your way.

Anyone who is telling you that by getting your GED/finishing high school, you are not being a good mother is extremely naive and not someone you should be looking to for advice. You made a brave decision in keeping your son, being at such a young age yourself. By not having an education, it will decrease your ability to support your baby boy. Education never hurts a situation! Please continue your education. I know there are schools out there specifically for single teen moms who want to continue their high school education, and since you have access to the internet, it might be worth it to see if there are any near you! Take care, and I know there are other mama's on here who will say with me, if you need advice or help with anything, let us know!

K.,

You NEED that GED or diploma but there are many ways of getting it that may fit into your lifestyle. If you go to Seattle school district, you can get an entire diploma from Insight, an online high school. You can also study over the internet with WAVA (wava.org) any place in Washington. For traditional homeschooling, your parent or other responsible adult must be on board and take on the duty of helping you choose your course of study and then make a transcript for you. It would be easier for you to go with the online option,especially with a new baby.

Good luck and I'm glad you are breastfeeding. Just because you want an education does not make you a bad mother!! The opposite is true!

Feel free to e-mail me if you have any further questions I can help you with. I am homeschooling both of my daughters, ages 5 and 10 all the way through high school!

H.

K.,
I am a 42 yr old mother of two. I have not been in your shoes, nor have my children. However, the older of my children was not able to follow the "normal" school route of finishing high school, simply because it was not her path. She tried the home school thing, which also didn't work and then she went to the local community college and got into a program called Career Link where she finished up her GED in 5 weeks. This is not the road for everyone. You need to find your own path! I will tell you bluntly, from reading your post IF you can find a way to finish high school and learn to read and write properly you will be giving yourself and your son a huge boost up. You want to be able, when the time comes, to help him with homework and do so correctly. You also want to be able to support yourself and him. Unfortunately, the number of jobs available to those without a high school diploma or GED are minimal and the pay pathetic. (I didn't go to college until last year and never made more than about $12). Good luck with your future K.. Try to think what is best for you as well as your baby.
K.

Call Nine Star in Anchorage at ###-###-####. They have a program where you can earn your diploma through the Nenana School District at your own pace, one-on-one with a coach and you can do the work at home or go into the school with your baby. They have extended hours on t/w/th from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

K.,
I had my son when I was 16, he's almost 20 now. I tried to stay in school after he was born but I was very far behind and ended up getting my G.E.D. Not having a diploma has never held me back. I have gone to community college and earned a child development dertificate from technical school. If I remember correctly you have to be 16 to get your G.E.D. I don't understand why someone would discourage you from getting on with your education. If you have a G.E.D. you can go to community college or a technical school. Rather than having a diploma when Braidyn is 3 you could be on your way to a career. Do you live at home? Are your parents supportive of you getting your G.E.D.? I'm sure the woman at your school has you and your sons best interest in mind and I don't know all of the details. I think you should talk to your counselor and your parents and tell them what you plan to do after you have your G.E.D.
Being a mom is hard work at any age. I wish you all the luck and success in the world.

Hi K.,

I am sorry you have such a negative person giving you bad information. I think that a GED is just as good as a diploma if you plan on going to college. I don't know for sure, but you might have to be 16 to get one, check with the closest community college and find out.

Are you still living with your parents? Are they very supportive (financially and emotionally)? My advice for you (knowing nothing about you or your situation, of course, but what I would do) would be to take this next year "off" with your son if you can. Babies are so precious, and they grow up way too fast. During that time I would work on getting your GED, and start going to a community college next fall.

Start looking for scholarships soon, see if there are any groups through the college that help out teen mothers. Check out these sites:
www.osac.state.or.us
www.fafsa.ed.gov

Do you have any areas that interest you? If not I would recommend taking a computer/business approach to a 2 year degree because it is so versatile. I work in internet marketing and love it - after 5 years I am now working from home and making more money than I had been. Look up affiliate marketing, email, paid search (SEM), and natural/organic search (SEO).

If you are more interested in home schooling I just ran across this site recently: www.connectionsacademy.com

Good luck to you, and great job on breastfeeding!
Celena

I am a college graduate and know how much it means to have an education and "YES" get your GED. You can't do much without a GED or High School Diploma. It is important and best wishes to you.

N.
SAH Mom, Nana and Wellness Coach

K., I have a strong suspicion that your counselor really has you best interest in mind and simply wants you to stay in school.
I see a lot of young moms like you on a daily basis, as I work in a setting, that offers the GED and GED prep classes. Many of our students thought at one point that is would be easier to just quit school and get their GED and are now coming to find out that it is not, a lot of them drop out and never even take the test.
As a teen mom you will have to find a way to balance your academic workload and caring for your child no matter which way you complete education but many people find it a lot easier in the structured setting of a high school.
Home schooling or just preparing for your GED in a community college setting requires a lot of discipline and self motivation, that frankly, many students your age do not have.
You did not write how your grades are and what grade level you are at, that is another consideration. If you are a very good student, you are more likely to succeed in obtaining your GED, if you are a moderate to below average student you will likely need more preparation to even pass the test.
If you high school cannot accommodate for your responsibilities as a mother, contact alternative schools in your district or even look into online schools.
Good luck!

You know, there is a new program that helps moms fund returning to school. This program is in place because studies show that moms with more education do better for their kids in the long run. Not only a GED, but even college level and higher education help moms be good mothers to their children, as well as to help provide those children with good opportunities for their success. Moms with higher education also appear to stay healthier and happier.

If the woman at your school wants you in school, not getting a GED, she is probably worried that the GED won't give you enough education to do well in the future. If she thinks that you need to avoid even the necessary work to get a GED than she is just plain wrong and should be ignored.

Please consider what you plan to do with the degree, and look into whether a high school program that ends in a traditional degree could work better for you. You could, for example, call a couple of potential employers and see if they would prefer to hire someone with a GED or a degree, or don't care. Likewise, you could ask at a local college if you could be admitted with a GED. Perhaps there is a counselor at school who you trust more - or a church or family member you trust to help you evaluate your choice?

Congratulations on wanting to get your GED. I wish you the best of luck in pursuing all of your dreams!!

Hi K.-

I was actually homeschooled through highschool and got my GED at 16. When I began preparing for the test, I just basically studied a good book on the subject such as 'McGraw-Hill's GED: The Most Complete and Reliable Study Program for the GED Tests.' It goes over every subject and has practice tests for you to try. The actual study was faster and easier then I expected. I would highly recommend studying for one test at a time, then taking that particular test before moving on.

Currently, I'm a stay at home mommy to three, but before that I taught music for awhile. After having children, my husband and I just decided we wanted to homeschool them, too, so that's my job right now :). I would definitely recommend homeschooling because you can study at your own pace...and the study doesn't take as long so you can spend more time with your sweet baby.

I personally think it's commendable that it's important to you to finish your schooling, despite having a baby to care for. Good for you! I can see how hard it would be to continue attending highschool with that added responsibility, too. I say do what's going to work out best for you and your son. A GED is equally as good as a highschool diploma. In fact, here's a website that lists some famous and successful people who got theirs: http://www.gedbook.com/2008/12/09/famous-people-who-got-t...

In the meantime, hang in there, love on that baby and try not to take what mean people say to heart...Your most important job right now is being a mommy!

-J.

K., You have received some great advice. No matter what, continue with your education in some fashion. My sister just didn't fit in the normal swing of things in high school and dropped out. In her mid-20s she was married and had a daughter. Within moments, she said 'I must get my degree - my GED, I can't believe I didn't continue with school.' And that she did! The looking back on it was the hardest part for her. You can do it, especially if you have a support system in place - whether you continue in your high school, find an alternative HS, homeschool or get your GED, it is an important part of growing up for you as well as for your child. I'm sorry that you have that negative person in your life. Know there are MANY MORE POSITIVE and SUPPORTIVE people okay?

Please, get your G.E.D. Both you and your baby deserve better! And that means getting a good education and being happy, right? Seek counsel elsewhere if possible, if you and this other woman can't agree. Good luck!

Wow,I don't know who told u that you would be a bad mother by pursuing your GED.
I want you to know that anything you do to better YOURSELF, helps your child!
I am 49 years old tomorrow, and I have my GED. I really would have rather had my diploma, but unfortunately I was on my own from 16 on, and had to work to support myself. I did try to continue with school, but it was too hard to work and go to school at the same time. I think I was just to young to do that. So I got my GED.
I had a wonderful career as a purser for an airline( lead flight attendant on international flights), until I became disabled do to being hit by a drunk driver.
I am permanently disabled now, but because of the great job I had, I was vested in the company. So my disability, plus my retirement that I will receive from when I worked will really help.
If I had not had the long term disability from my employment, I would never had been able to take care of my three kids. I am now a single mom of three.
So as you can see, because of having the GED, I was able to get a decent paying job that really helped me in the long run when I really needed it!
Don't give up!!
Btw, I am half way through my bachelors degree in criminal justice to become a criminalist.
You can do anything you put your mind to, don't let anyone tell you differently! If anything it will show your children what a good mom you are!
Good luck to you, and hang in there!
D. M

I was homeschooled. I got my GED 2 or 3 years later. I didn't have any high ambitions, but the only thing I think G couldn't do is study in Mexico--they want a real diploma. If you do well on the entrance exams that colleges give, then you shouldn't have a problem. I'm a SAHM, and I don't regret it one minute.

You didn't say why you wanted to go the GED route. If you are trying to finish sooner, then why not? Though there are some high school courses that can give you some college credit. But it totally depends on your circumstances. Don't listen to mean people!

Dear K.,
Hi sweetie. Let me just tell you, the decisions you make now about your GED will impact you and your son for the rest of your lives. When you complete your GED, you will be setting an example and a standard for your son to follow. DO NOT GIVE UP! You can do it! Once you have your GED, you will be a better provider for your son which will help you to be a better mother. Find any way possible to complete your GED wether it is night school or homeschool. Don't think for one second that your son will be better off if you quit. It is worth the sacrifice, and your GED will be a symbol of your love for your son. You are so young and you have so much life ahead of you. I would encourage you to get your GED and then don't stop there! You can get college degrees online, and there are trade schools out there where you can earn certificates in short amounts of time. Your son's life will be better because you stayed in school. Think about the long run. God bless!
H.

K., I know several people who have recieved there G.E.D.'S. They are all in college now and doing great! Keep up with the breastfeeding!
Check with a local college about thier G.E.D. programs.
Take care of yourself and remember that you ARE doing the best for your baby!
Lots of love
R.

You have gotten great advice. I think both staying in school, doing on-line classes and/or getting your GED are all the right answers. If you choose to get your GED I'd encourage you to continue your education starting in junior college. You could take a few classes and slowing work to getting a degree.
I don't think your counselor can legally stop you from getting a GED and you could request another councilor if you need one. Best wishes to you.

I dropped out of high school in 9th grade and got my GED at age 16 and started community college at age 17. If you are on track with getting a high school diploma I would stick with it! High school is free education and you will be much more prepared for college! The GED is no preparation for college level classes. I had to start in the very lowest classes in community college. It took me a couple of years to get to college level, so I spent 4 years at community college before I transferred to a university. That cost a lot of money. If you decide to go ahead at get your GED you can still do anything you want with your life, but know that it is not a shortcut for anything. I worked hard to compensate for not going to high school. Now I have a bachelor degree in molecular biology and I'm working on my second bachelor degree in clinical laboratory science, and I was even accepted into a Master's degree program in biochemistry in between the two programs. You have your whole life in front of you, and even it you get your GED you have countless options, but you will have to make up for what you missed in high school if you continue with your education.

Some people just doing get it - go for get your GED. I know that Washington State has a internet high school you can get your diploma with.

In this case it doesn't matter what people think - it is really just a good idea. I'm not even sure why someone would say don't get it - or you child deserves more. All that matter is that mom is happy - a happy mom means a happy child.