Well, I would slightly disagree with Path.
If you’re okay with NOT being a helicopter parent, then yes, med school is a possibility.
My son is an only child. My son is also the child of a single parent home. NOT a home where there was a divorce and a mom is saying she is single mom despite her ex somewhat still in the picture with alternating days and weekends, etc. My son does not know his dad. We have not seen the man since my son was 6 months old.
All decisions made by me, All diaper changes, day care pick ups, doctor appts, dentists, ball games, after school activities, sports, art projects… all my responsibility…
and yet, I had help too.
I worked full time. I was very, very successful while in my career and traveled extensively; out Monday, home Fridays mostly; sometimes out Sunday and home 3 weeks later. He then, was cared for, by my parents who came to our house when I was gone to stay with him, and take care of the dogs, and take care of my house, and …
In that vein, it was truly a village that raised him. And I had to learn to be okay with some of the decisions they made when I was in a foreign country, or on an airplane, or … and sometimes, those decisions did not coincide with my own beliefs (I’m agnostic at best, they are devout Christians).
In that manner, you would also have to learn to be okay with some aspects of your childrens’ lives being taken out of your hands.
My son turned out fine. He’s been to every continent by Antarctica. He’s seen every Winter Olympics but Vancouver, he’s… and then … and there’s that… and of course… you get the picture.
Did he miss me? Yes. He did.
Is he catastrophically ruined because I was not around all the time? No.
Was it hard not to be there when he learned to walk? Yes. Does he remember that? No.
Was it hard when he played his 2nd to last basketball game of his 9th grade year and I could not be there because I was stuck in an airport 10,000 miles away? For me, yes. For him? No.
What he remembers of me being in the career I had, and what he remembers now is this:
he had as good a childhood as I could give him and has seen and done things many only dream about.
What he is learning now with me trying to get into medical school (at 47) is this:
anyone can do anything if they are willing to work hard enough, and sacrifice what MUST be sacrificed.
He is now 19, almost 20. He sees how hard I work, and has started emulating that himself. He sees how much this means to me, and cheers when I get a good grade.
I believe that showing our kids they are important to us, and that likewise we are important to ourselves is a gift. They learn the world doesn’t revolve around them AND that school is important.
Okay, I’m rambling. Just think you have to decide how badly you want to do this, and if your husband is on board, I’m not sure why you are worrying.
That’s all 