By now, you may have heard of the massive amount of money being spent by the federal government for people like you to start school, go back to school, or stay in school. Undoubtedly, you know that people with training beyond high school make more money over a life time and usually remain employed longer during periods of economic slumps. You know people who have good benefits at work, such as health care and retirement. You know all the financial advantages of getting the diploma or certification you need.

If that isn't enough motivation for you, consider the intangible benefits. These are things like your own improved feelings of optimism and value and getting a sense of control over your life. Having a goal (not just a dream), builds structure into your daily life and gives you a sense of purpose. Having obligations on your time and energy also motivates you to become more organized and to focus on what really matters for you and your family.

Another of those intangible benefits is the effect of all this on your children. Rather than feeling that you may be neglecting them if you do this for yourself, you are probably changing the way they see you and the world around them. They begin to accept some responsibilities around the house and their own school work, for their own organization because they have come to realize that what you are attempting will help them in the long run. It may also inspire them to follow your example and take their own education more seriously.

It is good to remind yourself that President Obama grew up watching his own Mother make sacrifices to get her degrees. She got up at 4 A.M to study and expected him to do the same. She used her education to help herself and her family, but she also used it to help lots of other women move out of poverty and start helping themselves and their own communities. It is an inspiring story for any Mother in difficult conditions to keep in mind.

Okay, very few children grow up to be President, but very many children trace their own success to having to learn self-discipline and commitment to larger goals at an early age. And that is the greatest intangible benefit any mother can provide!