Follow Your Kids To School

It happens when the last one has left. They're all in some university or college around the country now. But you miss the early mornings and hectic dinner times more than you'd ever thought you would! No more parent teacher meetings - they're on their own. But what do you do with the time…?

Many parents, on being introduced to the joys of education through their children, want to continue the relationship, often by deepening it. They've become so attached the school room that they go in there themselves - as students. And indeed, most community schools about the country are now only happy to oblige, offering courses in everything from business and finance to personal improvement skills.

Take Mary Higgins for instance. The forty-four year old mother of five is taking a course in Communications Skills at Ballincollig Vocational School in Co Cork. "I looked at what was available and I went for Communications Skills. It sounded good, being taught how to communicate a message in public or in a formal situation" says Mary of her decision. " I was nervous at first, of course, but when I settled a bit the confidence started coming to me." Mary says she was nostalgic for school-yard days after seeing her four children through the same school as she's now attending. "After going in for parent-teacher meetings and for school events, I was there walking down those corridors and sitting in those rooms where the kids spent so many of their days", she told Nightcourses.com.

Adults returning to secondary schools are bound to be ill at ease at first when settling into class. "My wife took three courses in everything from computing to painting. Her nervousness at the start was incredible but when she sampled the challenge and settled in, you couldn't hold her back", said Dublin man Joe Collins in a chat with Nightcourses.com this week. Joe's wife Rebecca now takes a class in cookery at Marino College on the city's north side.

Rose Tully of the National Parents Council thinks that parents who go for evening courses are doing the right thing. Rose left her job as a national schoolteacher ten years ago to pursue charitable work. She also turned to further education and is continuing on that road. "It's great for children to see their parents or grandparents taking the Leaving Cert or being back at school", she says. "It makes them aware that education is a continuing process that never necessarily ends." Parents who return to school either at night or full time find friendships and meet people of like mind while also helping them move into further and higher career niches, Rose told Nightcourses.com.

Going back to school is like landing in deep water. It might seem too deep at first but it won't be. Just try to paddle and then swim your way into what will more than likely be a very rewarding experience. Just stick with it through the part where you'll be going through those corridors that will hold so many memories for you if you're a parent who's put a bunch of kids through that same school. Evening courses for parents is the most positive way of enjoying the same educational experience as your kids have had - and you'll appreciate it even more when you're a little more mature and eager.