College student feels ready to settle down

Dear Harriette: I feel like I am ready to get married and have kids, but I’m only 19. I am still in college, but I think that is what I’d rather be doing. Most of my family members started their families very young, and I feel like it’s the right thing to do. I know I am young and that’s very discouraged nowadays, and I also know that these are important years for growth and self-discovery. Should I go with my heart and try and start a family after graduation, or should I wait? — Ready for Marriage

Dear Ready for Marriage: It’s good to be clear about your intentions for your life. It’s also wise to consider your circumstances and evaluate the timing of your next steps. If your soul is telling you that you want to make a family now, go a step further and imagine what that looks like. Do you have a partner now? If not, what are the qualities that you want in a spouse? Make a list. Attracting the right person for the life you want to build is important. Your list will help you notice people who fit the profile of someone with shared values and interests.

Since you are still in college, can you focus on completing your studies and mapping out what your work life may become? Most people have to work whether they are single or not. It is smart for you to plot a course for how you can support yourself. If you do marry soon, this plan will also have you poised to help support your family.

There’s nothing wrong with getting married and starting a family when you are young. Set yourself up for success by taking the time to envision your future and doing all you can to enable yourself to make it happen.

Dear Harriette: How do I set boundaries with my dad who wants to reconnect with me? I am 20 years old, and my mom and dad divorced when I was 2. I was raised by my mom, who told me he was really abusive to her. My mother has been controlling and abusive throughout my life, so I don’t know whether or not to trust my dad because I’ve only heard my mom’s perspective. How do I figure out how much to trust him, and whether I should work to reintroduce him into my life in a healthy way? — Rediscovering Dad

Dear Rediscovering Dad: Take some time to talk to your dad so you can figure out if his intentions are genuine and whether he’s reformed since your parents’ divorce. Eighteen years is a lot of time for someone to grow, so cautiously give him a chance, but set boundaries on the amount of time you talk so that it doesn’t end up taking up too much of your life. In this way, you have a set amount of time and space in which you can get to know him and learn whether or not you see the relationship as something you would like to continue.

Dear Harriette: I am a 50-year-old woman who wants to go back to school for the first time since high school. Ten years ago, I tried to attend community college, but having a full-time job in addition to being a single mother prevented me from fitting it into my schedule. My son is in college now, and because of the pandemic, I want to move on from my job at a grocery store. Do you have any advice on this new big step? How do I balance schoolwork, a personal life and my job during the pandemic? Is it worth it? — Next Steps

Dear Next Steps: Now is a time to pivot. Given the tremendous challenges that have come with the pandemic, people are reimagining their lives. Continuing education makes sense, especially if you can see a way to improve your overall well-being as a result of it.

While it will take a big time commitment, it is worth it to go back to school. Figure out what you want to do for work once you have your degree. That will help you decide what course of study you should pursue. IT jobs, medical technicians and medical records professionals are in high demand now. And the coursework and length of study are shorter than a more traditional college education. You can consider a range of job opportunities and the requisite education for them as you make your decision. Do research so that you make an informed decision. To learn more, go to workingnation.com.

Also, because of the pandemic, school is largely virtual right now. That should make it a bit easier for you to work and manage your studies. You have to be well-organized and disciplined, but you can do it.