Need insight with making a life changing decision

[robertsechenfen]

I need more then one perspective with a life changing decision that I need to make.

I've decided to go to massage school to be trained and licensed as an MT. (I thought this forum would be more appropriate to post because it had to do more with business then school. If it's in the wrong forum, feel free to move it elsewhere). My problem is I'm not sure WHEN I should go to school. I'm thinking about how much time I actually have to devote to working as an MT when I graduate.

My children are still very young so I won't have many hours to work outside the home. The income I do make as an MT will supplement my husband's. My ultimate goal is to one day have a practice of my own.

Now I can't decide if I should go to school soon, become licensed, and work very very part time either as an employee or IC for some years and slowly build up my clientele.
The only positive I can see with this option is that by the time my children are older I would have gained years of experience all ready which may make it easier to strike out on my own. The negative is that I won't be able to supplement my husband's income as much as I would like. I would also need to keep up with CEUs and renewing my license when I am only practicing very part time.

OR go to school later when my children are older, work full time as an MT either as an employee or IC and devote more time to building up my clientele. The only positive I see with this option is that I will have more time to work. The negative is that I won't have years of experience. As our children grow up we'll need more income so I'll have to work. I would rather do something I love (massage) then do something I hate just for the money.

I've had this discussion with hubby. He is supportive but leaving the decision up to me because it's me that will have to make it work somehow. I'm indecisive... :undecided: Any thoughts would be really great!

 

[nonmisogynisticAL]

Need insight with making a life changing decision

I say go to school now,you are getting that part out the way early on. Get all your licenses together and work how it fits your life. You can still make decent money part time.
This way when your kids are older and you need to bring in more money,you won't be worrying about going to school and all that. Or being stuck getting a job you hate.
Me..i had finally decided at 29 to go to massage school,my husband was dead set against it. He would not help me in anyway to go to school bc I was just a waitress and would never be anything better than that. Well I divorced him,took half his retirement and went to school
My first year as a LMT I was single and only had my income. I did fine. My second year I was able to purchase a new car ( I was working 25-30 hours a week then) and still pay my rent and other bills.

You can do this! If you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it work and make it right for you.

 

[banananose_89117]

Need insight with making a life changing decision

this is a tough call because it seems like there are good points to both decisions. remember that any decision you make, you'll make work. trust that whatever you choose will be good. you can cause yourself crazy amounts of stress trying to figure out the 'right' or 'perfect' decision.

i think it's easier going to school when your kids are little. when they get older they get more involved with activities/school/sports and you'll find your time isn't quite as flexible. with massage school there are usually many mandatory weekend workshops and other classroom requirements that you can not miss.

as far as what it will cost you in ceu's and licensing it depends on what state you are in. i wouldn't let these costs stop you from getting a head start on your career. also, you shouldn't have any trouble finding a job that will let you work part-time even if it's only 1 day a week.

if you decide to wait, don't get caught up in the "i won't have years of experience". it's not that big of a deal. if you love and are good at what you do, you'll be fine. having some experience really isn't going to make that big of a deal. you'll gain experience as you go.

maybe it will help you to check out the school that you are wanting to attend. find out when their classes start and get the schedule and what's required of you for the program. i know my school had the exact dates of all classes, workshops and other requirements so there were no surprises. i set my schedule up for the year. i knew when my classes were during the week, i knew when i needed someone to watch my daughter for weekend workshops, i knew what weekends i had open and which ones i didn't etc... maybe seeing this info will help you to choose.

that's just a couple of thoughts. hope it helps a little at least! good luck and don't drive yourself bananas trying to come up with the "right" decision.

 

[Wanna play?]

Need insight with making a life changing decision

TLH, if you were to wait to go to massage school until the children were older, would you be doing something else to help supplement your husband's income in the meantime? Or "just waiting to go to massage school"?


...


Personally, I went to massage school even having young children at home (when I was in school, my youngest was 1 going on 2, and still nursing). Our life situation is a bit different, though- I also had older children (teenagers) who were fully capable of watching their younger siblings, and a husband who was also already a licensed MT and who *fully* supported my going to school.

My reasons for going to school and getting my license were:

1) As "insurance" against possible future disability/death of my husband- with the "school" part out of the way, I would be able to jump into the work force full-blast to support my children without having to go through the stress and time of getting the education and license. I have the license now; whether or not I actually DO any massage is up to me. As long as I keep my license up to date and get my CEU's as required, I'm good to go, IF that situation is ever presented (which is, of course, a "worst case" scenario and we hope never happens!)

2) To be available to help him out "in public"- in the case of "trade shows" and other "big events" like that, I could legally and literally give him a hand with the actual massaging (if we had a chair set up), as well as actually, truly *knowing* what I'm talking about to help with marketing.

3) To be able to"pinch hit" for him in case he is ever unable to take a scheduled client- which did actually happen right after we opened our place (more on that later; see #5 below). He cut his hand deeply, requiring stitches right in the meat between the forefinger and thumb. Thankfully, it did not hit any nerves or bones. The day after, he had a regular client scheduled; I called to tell her what happened and to offer her the option of seeing me instead of him. His clients come to him for therapeutic work, and being right out of school I can't do what he can, but she chose to see me rather than wait )or seek out someone else), and declared that I am now her "second choice" if he is ever unavailable again. She was in bad shape and *needed* a massage right then- waiting was out of the question for her.

4) To provide a path for *my life's dream* to come to pass. I have been an herbal student for many years; as the mother of 9 children, I have always felt inspired, even called, to minister to expectant mommas in some way. I also knew I'd never become a midwife our a doula myself, as many have suggested I might. Offering prenatal massage fills that gap. I am also currently working on my herbal certification (which, with 9 children is admittedly a slow and arduous process, LOL!). I intend to combine my prenatal massage services, (future) infant massage services and classes, and herbal consulting with a focus on women's health, pregnancy, birth, and beyond in the future. Without this course change in my life (getting my massage license), the herbal part would have been more "just for myself". I have an audience now that I would not otherwise have had.

5) My husband and I have always wanted to "work together", if I ever had to work. We have tried 3 different home-based business over the years- all failures. We didn't have something we could work *together* in. Now, we do. We have an office not far from our home, and while I am not currently "marketing my services" at all, I *can* see clients, *have* been requested for massages from time to time (prenatal and certain folk who have particular issues they feel my touch is better for), and I *can and do* spend time over at the office with him and to watch the desk, even if I'm not actively massaging. I am active in our marketing efforts and managing the business- we have *much* common ground, and this is actually working for us!


...

Understand that prior to this "massage thing" starting up in our life, we had never once seriously considered the option of my going to work. Too many kids, too much on my plate already, too expensive for daycare, we homeschool, I didn't have any "marketable skills" etc., blah blah blah. My husband's entry into the massage world changed not only OUR life's course, but more specifically MY life's course, and we have been thinking, considering, and planning things for our future that we never thought possible, before.

That said, (I wouldn't doubt that I'll get some "tomatoes thrown" for this next comment: those who disagree with me, please remember that I have just as much right to my opinion as you all do, and withhold the tomatoes, please!)...

I have never actually "wanted" to work out of the home. Personally, I much prefer being at home with my children. Always have. The only reason I feel the way that I do about "what I'm doing now" is because it is a joint effort with my husband. I'm not saying that you should not go to school and get your license now, nor even work part time at it, as you mentioned. But *to me*, young children deserve for their mommas to be with them at home as much as possible. I do think that if you feel strongly that massage is "what you need to do" (as in, "a calling" as opposed to "a good way to make some extra money"), and if y'all can swing the money for school (I do not recommend going into debt for it, especially since you DO have small children and admit that you would only be working part-time at it), and have a suitable arrangement for your children's safe keeping while you are at school and studying (maybe night school with Dad home?), then perhaps going now WOULD be a good idea, and then you will have the license to "fall back on" if the *pressing need* to go to work ever presents itself; you'd also be already licensed when your children are older and you do have more time for working.

 

[BeYoNd It ALL...{{2.2.0}}]

Need insight with making a life changing decision

I'd say consider going now. If you ahve the time and the inclination, you might as well dive in, because in a few years you may not be able to. Life is funny like that.

In Texas, it's $106 for lisence renewal every two years. CEU's are usually around $100 - $150 for 6 hours and we need 12 every two years. So, all in all (at least in Texas), that would be "do-able" in my opinion, for someone even practicing part-time.

Mainly though, I've seen how times change and how opportunities come and go. I say take any opportunity to get education (if it fits in with your family values and lifestyle), because it does take time and although it seems like time is all we have, more often than not............... it flies!

I also agree that children should have as much time with their parents. That being "good ones", of course. So, it does make sense to figure out a good timing for school. But, I am sure you already know that, if you have little ones at home. I wish you the best in making the best decision for you.

 

[Annie R.]

Need insight with making a life changing decision

Brief hijack here -

Timedess - I understand you want to provide herbal consulting in conjunction with your massage therapy practice. However, in my state that is out of the question: nutritional/herbal consulting is outside our scope of practice as MTs. Sure, some people do it anyway and get away with it, but it's a time bomb. Naturopaths, TCM practitioners, nutritionists, chiropractors, dieticians, physicians - all licensed professions - have the training and legal authority to provide nutritional/herbal consulting. None would be pleased to know that an MT was providing that form of consulting... it could even be construed as practicing medicine without a license.

Please check the applicable laws in your state and make certain of your legal standing before providing such services. It may be that you can practice as a herbal consultant, but not at the same time/place that you practice as a MT. *shrug* Laws can be funny that way. In any case, I'd hate for you to put yourself in an untenable position that could adversely affect the business. If you are going to study up on herbs, take the extra time to study up on applicable state and local laws. You may need to review the licensing regulations for licensed health care providers (see list above) to see whether herbal consulting is a protected practice, then make inquiries about what you need to do (or not do) to prevent problems.

Best wishes in your dream quest!

 

[Top Contributor]

Need insight with making a life changing decision

Jason- don't worry. This is all part of the training I'm going through- and will also be dealt with through consultation with the proper sorts of professionals who can help me determine such things. For the record, though, I do plan to have the herbal business "in conjunction with", but not "as part of" the massage business- "changing hats" as necessary, as it were. This is a long-term plan, not something I decided on yesterday and plan to put into effect tomorrow.

 

[cocoa butter]

Need insight with making a life changing decision

I just recently got licensed (august of 09). I went to school with two small children. At the time my oldest was 3 turned 4 while i was in school, and youngest was less than a year. To be 100% honest, i think it was easier with them being young. Now that my son is about to start kindergarten and my daughter is running around and into everything i couldn't imagine trying to study. It was hard, i stayed up many of night after everyone went to sleep to study but it was worth it. I work for myself. I have a room in a local gym here in town. I just started so i'm not super busy but i have about 3 clients a month and my gift certificate sales are very good (12 in two months), we live in a small town, but that is pretty good. I don't make a ton of money but if you aren't working now any extra money you bring is better than nothing. I can't talk about the getting years experience, but it takes a lot of time and effort to get your name out there and your business started. So to be able to have that all established before my son gets super busy with school is great too. Like previous person said you can stress yourself out trying to figure out what is the perfect option. There is good and bad of everything. Good luck with your choice.