Back to School Moms

The support of Dina Blume's family helped her to return to school to study psychology at HBU. (Photo: www.solarisstudios.com)

When I was a child, my mother had a friend I admired. After raising three kids, she returned to school, earning a law degree. She later went on to become dean of a law school. Student-moms may not be a new trend, but starting (and completing!) a college program while juggling motherhood is still a commitment deserving of recognition.

Dina Blume is a mom worthy of instant respect, returning to study psychology while still raising four of her five kids. When her youngest was in kindergarten, she enrolled at Houston Baptist University. “I had always loved psychology, and said to myself, ‘I can do this.’

My husband, Greg, was a little skeptical at first, but when you contemplate educating five children, a little extra money can really help, so I was determined to do it,” Dina says.

“My family was very flexible, but they never missed a meal,” she says, adding that she made sure there was dinner every night, often cooking double portions. “There was lots of trading off children in parking lots and coordinating carpools, but it worked.”

“One of the things I didn’t like was that mom used all that psychology stuff she was learning on us,” says Brian Blume, now a sophomore at Stratford. “It actually works.”

Today Dina works for Spring Branch ISD as a licensed specialist in school psychology.

Her other children are also proud of their mom’s accomplishments.

Kelly Luedde waited for her kids to enter elementary school before she returned to complete prerequisite courses for medical school. (Photo: www.solarisstudios.com)

Kelly Luedde stayed home to raise three kids until the youngest, Cade, was entering elementary school. Then she returned to school to take the prerequisite classes needed to apply for medical school. This summer, Kelly studied for her MCAT.

“When I decided to go back to school, I called a family meeting. I told my kids and husband that at any time my return to school was too hard on the family, all they needed to do was tell me and I would stop,” says Kelly. Husband, Colt, and Kelly’s three children had to agree on more chores to make it all work.

Kelly’s daughter, Jacy, who is entering eighth grade at AOS, says, “We all knew that it would be hard but she deserves this more than ever. She is always giving and I am so glad that she is now getting to do something for her.”

“When your kids grow, your role as a mom shifts,” says Kelly. “I took classes when the kids were in school, and because the ones I needed had to be taken in specific order, I took them wherever they were offered at a convenient time.” For the next two and a half years, she enrolled at UH or HCC, whichever one offered the class she needed.

Kelly thinks there are plusses to having a family first and then going to medical school. But she adds that it is a challenge at any time.

“I won’t lie. There were moments when I cried and almost gave up,” Kelly says.

Kelly’s oldest, Jordan, a junior at Memorial High School, says, “Not only has going back to school benefited her, but it has shown my brother and sister and I the power of dedication and ambition. Through this experience I have looked up to my mom more than I think I ever have in my life.”

Mari Graham of Memorial made a natural choice when she decided to study horticulture at A&M. (Photo: www.solarisstudios.com)

Memorial mom Mari Graham knew what she wanted to study. “It all made sense to me. When I was five and got my first dollar from the tooth fairy, I bought a potted plant for my mom at a garage sale,” says Mari. “Growing up, I always had my hands in the dirt, and I knew I wanted to study horticulture.”

At the time of her return to school, Mari had two children at Rummel Creek Elementary, Dylan and Sophie. “I’d get the kids on the bus and get to my own class at UH by 8:30 a.m. I’d just hope there was not going to be terrible traffic so I could be there to pick them up by 3,” she recalls.

Mari completed five years of courses towards her degree, but was not able to take the final component needed, which was only offered at A&M. In the interim, her third child, John Paul, was born and Mari enrolled in Master Gardeners 12-week landscape design courses and 3-day landscape design seminars at A&M every six months.

Today, Mari’s company, MG Garden Designs, is thriving. But even with a waiting list for her services, Mari still wants to complete her horticultural degree at A&M when her youngest is older.

Husband, John, is up for any challenges once Mari starts commuting to Bryan-College Station. “I’m more than happy to be Mr. Mom. I’ve improved my skills of doing laundry, and I’m even getting better at making macaroni and cheese,” he says.

Kudos to those who are juggling family and books, and to their families for helping them realize their dreams.