Studying at Home with Children

Student Support recognises that many of our students have busy lives outside of their studies and often times do independent study at home. This can be more challenging if you are a parent to young children so we have put together some top tips for making sure you and your family can get the most out of your time.

TOP TIPS

When do you work best? If you're a morning person, use this time to do the most 'important' work e.g. reading difficult and complex journals, planning and writing essays, telephone calls to tutors or professional support before you get interrupted by the children waking up and demanding breakfast and attention.

• Set some boundaries: this is vital for important phone calls or teams calls that you may need to conduct with your academics, lecturers or peers. Put up a 'Do not disturb' sign (maybe your children can make one for you!).
• Have a separate space for phone calls: you may need to find another room or go into the garden or your car to get some uninterrupted time for important phone calls.
• Create a 'work' space: find a space where you can set up a workstation for your computer and books. It may be the dining room table or a small desk or table in your bedroom.
• Children as educators: get your children to help each other and use other resources to solve their problems so they're not constantly disturbing you with questions.
• Reading time: when you have important reading to do, use the time to get your children to read to themselves. They are more likely to do this if they also see you read.
• Breaks: sometimes when you're studying at home you can forget to take breaks if you're immersed in your work. Your children can provide a healthy distraction e.g. snack times and lunchtimes for you to get up and stretch your legs and have a break from study.
• Meditation: play relaxing music or meditation tunes whilst you're studying. The children can also listen to this when they're studying and may help to calm them, too.
• Physical activity: make sure you take some time out to move and have a break from sitting in front of the computer. If you also have children studying at the same time, get them to join you!
• De-clutter: with so many people in the house the space around you can easily get clogged up with toys, books, chargers and electronic devices! Ask the children to help with tidying up at least once a day.
• Don't feel guilty: parents often feel guilty that they're not doing what they're should be regarding parenting. We're in a unique situation now and practising self-compassion will help you get through this period. Don't feel that you need to entertain your children 24/7…let them get bored. Research shows that it's good for them!
• Put away your things at the end of the day: it's important to distinguish between your 'studies' and your family life otherwise it becomes difficult to switch off from 'work' mode. Physically putting away your computer and books at the end of your study session will help to establish a separation between home and work/study life.
• Self-care: this is a challenging time for parents who are having to study, work and look after their children at the same time. Don't forget to find a few minutes for yourself during the day whether it's doing a breathing exercise, having a cup of tea or watching some Netflix whilst the kids are watching a movie on their tablets or are having a nap (wishful thinking!)

Stay well!

University Contacts

If you are pregnant and would like to know about the support available to you please contact Student Engagement at student.engagement@beds.ac.uk and we can book an appointment with you or answer your questions directly.

Please also find a list below of helpful information relating to your studies at the University of Bedfordshire if you are pregnant and advice available.

• Pregnancy Checklist for Home Students [PDF]
• Pregnancy Checklist for International Students [PDF]
• University of Bedfordshire Pregnancy Policy [PDF]

If you are a student with parenting responsibilities and would like to discuss support or the impact of your parenting responsibilities are having upon your ability to study, engage and/or submit your assessments, please contact Student.Engagement@beds.ac.uk and a member of the team will respond.

Please also find a list of helpful resources as a parent yourself but also services and support available to young people if you are a parent, the information below provides local and national services who may be able to provide further support, advice and guidance.

International Students

As an international student becoming pregnant and taking time out of your studies can affect your immigration status. It is therefore strongly recommended that you make an appointment with the International Student Experience Team- InternationalStudentExperience@beds.ac.uk as soon as possible so you are aware of the conditions of your visa and maternity allowance. 

Find information below relating to local services that can support parents directly and also support for the children of parents.

Luton:

• Home Start Central Bedfordshire, a family and children’s charity helps families with at least one child under the age of five who are going through a difficult time in their lives. Our charity’s impact is both well recognised and measurable. Of the families supported by Home-Start studies showed that.
• Luton Family Hubs offer support to every family in Luton, whatever their experience or circumstances. From thinking about starting a family or expecting a child, to all families with a child up to the age of 19 years or 25 years with special educational needs and disabilities, they here to support every child’s changing needs.
• Luton Directory –  a website for a range of local services.
• Luton Directory Childcare – this part of the website lists the Luton preschools, nurseries and childminders, who are Ofsted registered to take early years children. The page has a search function to find settings by postcode which may help parents find settings near to them so that they can make contact for further information and place availability. The majority of Luton settings are good or outstanding Ofsted rated.
• Luton Family Information Service (FIS) - offers free, impartial information and advice about registered childcare, early education, and other matters relating to families (not safeguarding). The team can be contacted by email or phone for advice. They are able to talk parents through applying for childcare places, for example. They are a wealth of local knowledge and information.
• Childcare Choices – This government website explains the childcare offer, eligibility and how to apply.
• Help with childcare while you study – the government page with information about the support available for parents who are also studying.
• Total Wellbeing supports people living in Luton who want to improve their physical and emotional health.
• Introduction to Health & Wellbeing, provided by ELFT Recovery College. Every Monday 10am Mary Brash Court, Stopsley, Luton.
• Perinatal Mental Health Services, provide support and advice to people thinking of having a baby or recently had a baby under 12 months old and struggling with their wellbeing in Bedfordshire and Luton.
• Young Person’s Sanctuary in Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford, providing crisis services for young people in need of mental health support, aged for 14-17. Sanctuaries are safe, non-judgmental spaces young people can come to if they find themselves in crisis or mental distress in the evenings. There is no need to call and book an appointment, simply drop in and young person will be met by a trained mental health worker who will listen and help identify ways to address the problems young person is facing. The teams will also be able to refer and signpost to other services if required.
  The Young Person’s Sanctuary will open its doors at the Young Persons Hub, ResoLUTiONs in Castle Street, Luton.
  Opening Times: 4:00pm - 10:00pm (Monday – Sunday), 365 days of the year.
  Wednesday night Sanctuary will be held at Luton Wellbeing Centre, Dumfries Street, Luton.
  
  Young Person's Sanctuary Leaflet [PDF]

Bedford Borough:

• FACES (Family and Children's Early-help Services) supports local children and families faced with difficult issues such as mental and physical health, domestic abuse, poverty, child sexual exploitation and behavioural issues via a range of quality-tested services and family support groups, many led by the team of dedicated volunteers. FACES also provides a Baby Bank which offers a range of items including clothes, equipment, toiletries, formula, nappies and unbranded school uniform. Contact Student.engagement@beds.ac.uk and a member of the team can make a professional referral for you and your family for Baby Bank Faces Bedford [PDF]
• The Grove Pregnancy Advice Centre Bedford offer support to those for whom a pregnancy and the first year of parenting presents financial difficulties. We do this by providing good quality baby clothing (from birth to 1 year) and by loaning out items of equipment free of charge such as buggies, Moses baskets, cots etc.
• Antenatal Classes - Bump, Birth and Baby Stuff. Help preparation for new arrival, find out about birth, caring for you and baby, feeding your baby, whether you are a first time parent of for a refresher course. Visit Antenatal Classes for more information and to book onto a course.
• Perinatal Mental Health Services, provide support and advice to people thinking of having a baby or recently had a baby under 12 months old and struggling with their wellbeing in Bedfordshire and Luton.
• Young Person’s Sanctuary in Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford, providing crisis services for young people in need of mental health support, aged for 14-17. Sanctuaries are safe, non-judgmental spaces young people can come to if they find themselves in crisis or mental distress in the evenings. There is no need to call and book an appointment, simply drop in and young person will be met by a trained mental health worker who will listen and help identify ways to address the problems young person is facing. The teams will also be able to refer and signpost to other services if required

Central Bedfordshire:

• Home Start Central Bedfordshire, a family and children’s charity helps families with at least one child under the age of five who are going through a difficult time in their lives. Our charity’s impact is both well recognised and measurable. Of the families supported by Home-Start studies showed that.
• Perinatal Mental Health Services, provide support and advice to people thinking of having a baby or recently had a baby under 12 months old and struggling with their wellbeing in Bedfordshire and Luton.
• Antenatal Classes - Bump, Birth and Baby Stuff. Help preparation for new arrival, find out about birth, caring for you and baby, feeding your baby, whether you are a first time parent of for a refresher course. Visit Antenatal Classes for more information and to book onto a course.
• Young Person’s Sanctuary in Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford, providing crisis services for young people in need of mental health support, aged for 14-17. Sanctuaries are safe, non-judgmental spaces young people can come to if they find themselves in crisis or mental distress in the evenings. There is no need to call and book an appointment, simply drop in and young person will be met by a trained mental health worker who will listen and help identify ways to address the problems young person is facing. The teams will also be able to refer and signpost to other services if required
• Young Person's Wellbeing Navigator Service - Mind BLMK. A new service offers wellbeing and mental health support to young people aged 16-25 living in Central Bedfordshire. The service offers up to 8 sessions of 1-2-1 support with a Mind BLMK Young Person's Wellbeing Navigator. Session explore barriers or challenges impacting the young person and work proactively with them to address the problem areas that are detrimental to their mental wellbeing.
  Access support by completing a referral form on the website, scan the QR code on the poster. For more information contact email: ypwns@mind-blmk.org.uk or call 0300 330 0648.

Milton Keynes:

• Milton Keynes Perinatal Mental Health Service - The Milton Keynes Perinatal Mental Health Service offers treatment and support for pregnant and postnatal women experiencing mental health difficulties. Visit MK Perinatal website for more information information.
• Net Mums - find out information on pregnancy services in Milton Keynes. Visit the Net Mums website for more information.

Find information below relating to national services that can support parents directly and also support for the children of parents.

Accessing the Childcare grant

You may be eligible for help with your childcare costs if you:

• are a full-time higher education student
• have children under 15, or under 17 if they have special educational needs

The grant:

• does not have to be paid back
• is paid on top of your other student finance

More information and the application process can be found on GOV.UK - Childcare Grant

Bounty

The Bounty app is a totally personalised resource that gives you practical help alongside honest, entertaining insight. Packed with articles and advice, as well as brilliant freebies and offers all tailored to expecting and new mums.

Download the Bounty App

Emma's Diary

Emma's diary is an app that gives you access to pregnancy, baby and toddler discounts, information and much more!

Download the Emma's Diary Pregnancy & Baby App

Childcare

Childcare is an award winning online social networking platform for parents, childcare providers and private tutors with over 3 million members. Start your childcare search or childcare job search today

childcare.co.uk

Family Planning Association

Aims to establish a society in which everyone can make informed choices about sex, relationships and reproduction. Its website contains impartial advice on pregnancy, abortion and adoption, and also contains a list of useful organisations.

fpa.org.uk

National Health Service

Provides information relating to pregnancy, abortion, health in pregnancy and maternity, and services provided by the NHS.

nhs.uk - Pregnancy

Start 4 Life

Sign up to receive weekly emails from the NHS scheme which provides expert advice, videos, information and tips on pregnancy, birth and beyond.

nhs.uk - Start 4 life

Antenatal Classes from the NHS

Antenatal classes can help you to prepare for your baby’s birth and give you confidence and information. They're usually informative and fun, and they're free on the NHS.

nhs.uk - Antenatal classes

National Union of Students

Provides information and advice to students and students’ unions about student finance, rights and welfare. Information for student parents is available on its website, along with research and publications about students with dependent children.

nus.org.uk

Adoption UK

A national charity run by and for adopters, providing self-help information, advice, support and training on all aspects of adoption and adoptive parenting.

adoptionuk.org.uk

Antenatal Results and Choices

The only national charity that provides non-directive support and information to expectant and bereaved parents throughout and after the antenatal screening and testing process.

arc-uk.org

British Pregnancy Advisory Service

Supports reproductive choice and health by advocating and providing high-quality, affordable services to prevent or end unwanted pregnancies with contraception or by abortion. Also offers a range of other reproductive health services.

bpas.org

Family and Parenting Institute

Provides support to parents in bringing up their children, and has a range of resources for parents.

familyandparenting.org

The Miscarriage Association

Offers support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy.

miscarriageassociation.org.uk

SANDS

The still birth and neonatal death charity – provides support to anyone affected by the loss of a baby and conducts research into the causes of still and neonatal death.

uk-sands.org

Marie Stopes UK

They specialise in treatment, advice & support for women considering abortion. Call for a consultation appointment, available in 48 hours.

msichoices.org.uk

Mumsnet

Where you can meet other parents online.

mumsnet.com

Breastfeeding support

Get off to a good start with this NHS guide offering help and support for breastfeeding.

nhs.uk - Breastfeeding support

UCAS - Student Parents

National level support for student parents while they study in Higher Education.

ucas.com - Student parents