Considering Occupational Therapy (or Related Fields) as a Parent of Young Children

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for guidance from anyone who has experience pursuing occupational therapy or related fields while raising young children.

I have a Bachelor’s degree in Education but did not work as a classroom teacher after graduating. I spent several years overseas working in other roles and am now back in the U.S. with a young baby at home and a school-aged child.

Through raising my child, I’ve become very interested in supporting executive functioning, emotional regulation, and daily living skills, and I’m considering occupational therapy as a long-term career path. I understand this would require further schooling and want to realistically evaluate what that could look like in this season of life.

I would appreciate insight on:

Pathways into OT or similar roles with a non-OT bachelor’s degree

Completing prerequisites with young children at home

Hybrid or online program options and in-person requirements

Managing fieldwork or internships while parenting

Financial considerations

Anything you wish you had known before starting

Additionally, I would value recommendations for alternative career paths that may offer better family balance while still allowing me to work in child development or executive functioning support.

Thank you for any advice or experiences you’re willing to share.