For those who have been following my homeschool journey for a while, you know how deeply I believe that learning does not stop when we close a textbook. It is woven into our ordinary days, our conversations at the dinner table, and the hidden goals we hold in our hearts. I often tell my children that education is a lifelong gift, but for a long time, I kept that idea pointed mostly at them, not at me.
Somewhere between diaper changes, lesson plans, and late-night grocery orders, I tucked away the dream of going back to school myself. It felt like something “past Gervase” once wanted, not something “current Gervase,” the homeschool mom of six, could actually pursue. The desire was still there, but the logistics felt impossible. My life already felt full, and the idea of adding one more thing to my plate seemed unrealistic at best.
With that in mind, I want to share what changed, how I eventually earned my Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from National University, and why I genuinely believe their online programs can make higher education feel possible for other moms and nontraditional students, too.
Seeing Education as an Extension of My Calling
For years, my identity was wrapped almost entirely in motherhood and homeschooling, and in many ways, that made sense. Raising six children, tending to our home, and managing our rhythms is a deeply full life. But underneath that, there was also a part of me that still loved the world of education, leadership, and learning in a more formal sense.
I began to realize that pursuing my doctorate did not have to compete with my role as a mom. It could actually strengthen it. The more I learned about organizational leadership, systems, and change, the more I could bring those insights into our home, our homeschool, and even the way I show up in this online space. Instead of seeing my return to school as an “extra,” I began to see it as a natural extension of the gifts God had already placed in my life.
That perspective shift was the first step. I stopped asking, “How could I possibly do this?” and started asking, “What would it look like to pursue this in a way that still honors my family?”
Why I Chose National University
Once I finally allowed myself to consider going back, I knew I needed a program designed for a real, unidealized version of real life. My days are noisy, layered, and often unpredictable. I needed a university that understood that reality instead of asking me to pretend it did not exist.
National University stood out because it is built with working and nontraditional students in mind. Their online programs are structured to serve people who are already juggling families, jobs, military service, caregiving, and more. That posture alone made me feel seen before I even filled out an application. I did not have to explain why my schedule looked the way it did. They already expected students to show up with complex lives.
From the beginning, it felt less like I was trying to squeeze into a traditional mold and more like I was stepping into a space intentionally crafted for people like me.
Flexible Courses That Fit My Life
One of the most practical reasons I chose National University was its course structure. Their 4- and 8-week online classes meant I could focus deeply on one course at a time instead of trying to juggle several at once. For a busy mom, that single detail was huge.
I could log in after the kids were in bed, early in the morning before our homeschool day began, or in those rare quiet pockets that show up unexpectedly. I was not tied to driving to a physical campus or rearranging our entire family rhythm to make it work. The program flexed with my life instead of asking my life to bend around it.
Were there late nights? Absolutely. But there was also a clear structure that made those sacrifices feel purposeful instead of chaotic. I knew what to expect each term, which made it easier to plan around family commitments, travel, and even the busy seasons of homeschool.
A Program Designed for Nontraditional Students
Another thing I appreciated about National University is that nontraditional students are not the exception there; they are the norm. Many of their students are working adults, parents, or people returning to school later in life. The average age of their undergraduate and graduate students reflects that reality, which means the courses, expectations, and support systems are built with that in mind.
For me, that meant I was learning alongside people who understood what it felt like to answer a discussion board post after a long shift at work or write a paper after tucking kids into bed. There was a shared sense of real life happening behind the screens. I did not feel out of place as a mom in my thirties working toward a doctorate. I felt like I belonged.
They also offered over 150 programs, credentials, and certificates, allowing me to choose a path that truly aligned with my interests in education and leadership, not just the most convenient option. That sense of alignment made it easier to stay motivated when the work was demanding.
Support That Made It Feel Possible
Going back to school is not only a time commitment; it is also a financial decision. One of the reasons National University felt realistic for our family was its commitment to scholarships and tuition reductions. Knowing they had a strong scholarship program made the leap feel less intimidating. It moved the idea from “nice in theory” to “maybe we can actually do this.”
Beyond finances, the support from faculty and staff mattered just as much. Professors understood that life happens. They expected effort and excellence, but they also extended grace when genuinely needed. Academic advisors helped map out my degree plan in a way that worked with my pace, not against it. The whole experience felt like walking with a team that wanted to see me finish, not just enroll.
I often tell moms considering further education, “You do not need a perfect schedule to start. You need support and a program that understands your reality.” That is what I found at National University.
What It Looked Like in Our Home
In practical terms, earning my Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership meant a lot of small, intentional choices. My children saw me reading articles at the kitchen table, writing research papers, and talking through ideas with my husband. We built pockets of quiet into our evenings, and sometimes I worked from the car while waiting at activities.
There were moments when it felt stretching, but there were also beautiful gifts hidden inside the process. My kids watched their mom pursue something hard and finish it. They saw that learning is not just something I ask of them; it is something I am willing to model myself. That has become one of the most meaningful parts of the entire journey.
Most importantly, pursuing my degree never replaced my role at home. It grew alongside it. I remained a homeschool mom of six, present in our daily rhythms, while also moving forward in a way that honored the season we were in. For me, going back to school was not about doing more. It was about moving forward in a way that still protected what mattered most.
A Final Thought
If you are a mom, a caregiver, or someone balancing work and family, and you have secretly wondered if you missed your chance to go back to school, I want you to hear this: you are not behind. Your life is not “too full” for growth. You simply need a path that respects the reality of your responsibilities.
For me, National University provided that path. Their flexible, accredited online programs, thoughtful course structure, and commitment to supporting nontraditional students made it possible for me to earn my doctorate without stepping away from the season of life I am in. It was not always easy, but it was deeply worth it.
If you have been thinking about returning to school, I encourage you to explore what National University offers and see if it might be a fit for you as well. Sometimes the next step is not about adding more to your plate, but about choosing opportunities that align with who you are, what you value, and the future you feel called to build. Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.
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