When you’re in the early months of motherhood, your days are often filled with feeding schedules, diaper changes, unpredictable emotions, and the quiet weight of doing your best without always knowing if it’s enough.
For many mums, the thought of planning for the future feels like something that belongs to a more stable version of life. Maybe you have asked yourself, “How can I possibly think about school fees when I’m still trying to afford baby wipes?”
If that’s you, I want you to know this, you are not behind. You are not failing, and yes, it is still possible to start planning ahead, even in a season that feels unpredictable.
In this blog post, we’re going to explore how everyday mums can begin making thoughtful, realistic choices about their children’s education and long-term wellbeing, even when the money feels tight. These are not quick-fix ideas or one-size-fits-all advice. They are gentle truths and practical steps drawn from the real lives of mothers who are learning to dream beyond survival.
And if you prefer to listen rather than read, you can also find this conversation as an episode on the 5StarMums Podcast on Spotify, titled “Planning for the Future: Education and Savings.” It’s a soft, honest conversation you can listen to while folding clothes or nursing your baby.
Why It Matters to Start Early; Even If You Start Small
You may not feel ready, you may not feel wealthy, but one of the most powerful things you can do for your child is to start thinking about their future before it becomes urgent.
Education in Nigeria is not getting cheaper. School fees rise, opportunities shrink, and the cost of unpreparedness is usually borne by mothers.
The good news is that you do not need to have everything figured out before you begin. You can start by writing down a simple vision. What kind of education do you want for your child? Public or private? Local or international? Tech-driven or traditional? Write it down, even if it feels far away.
The act of naming your vision is the first step to preparing for it. And the earlier you begin to prepare, the less pressure you will face in the future.
What Education Planning Looks Like for Everyday Mums
Let’s talk about the how, because this is where most mums feel stuck. The truth is, planning is not always about opening a fancy investment account. Sometimes, it is as simple as setting aside a few hundred naira a week, or choosing to keep certain gifts and income in a separate place just for your child’s needs.
Here are some realistic ways to begin:
- Open a separate savings account. It can be a bank account without an ATM card, or a mobile wallet where you can move small amounts each month. The goal is to create a space that feels sacred and untouched.
- Use a physical piggy bank or a digital savings app. There are many trusted platforms in Nigeria that let you automate savings and even earn interest. PiggyVest, Cowrywise are just a few that mums are already using.
- Join or create a cooperative savings group. You can find other mums who want to save with purpose and take turns collecting contributions. This is especially helpful for school term goals or bulk expenses like books and uniforms.
- Explore child-focused savings plans. Ask your bank about education savings options or target accounts. Some even offer insurance-backed plans that grow over time.
The key is to be consistent, even if your consistency looks like five hundred naira a week. Planning for your child’s future is not about impressing anyone. It is about creating a small stream that flows into a stronger river over time.
What If You Are in a Season Where There Is Nothing to Save?
This is a question I hear often, especially from postpartum mums who are still recovering financially or emotionally, and I want to speak to it clearly. If you are in a season where there is truly nothing to spare, please do not carry shame.
Planning is not only financial, it is also mental. It is emotional. It is strategic. And there are still ways to move forward with hope.
You can begin by learning. Attend free webinars, download resources, join WhatsApp groups where income ideas are shared, follow platforms that speak to mothers and offer practical solutions. Equip yourself with knowledge so that when things shift, and they will, you are ready to take action.
You can also gather information on scholarships, bursaries, community-led school programs, and NGOs that support education. Keep a folder, even if it’s just a collection of screenshots for now.
You are still planning and still being wise, and none of this effort is wasted.
How Side Hustles and Digital Skills Can Support Your Plans
Many Nigerian mums today are turning to digital skills to support their children’s future. Not every mum has a nine-to-five, but every mum has something she can build on; a voice, a skill, a passion, a little extra time at night when the children are asleep.
You can learn how to manage social media for small businesses. You can start selling digital downloads or guides. You can offer remote services like data entry, research, or virtual assistance. There are even customer service jobs and community roles that allow you to work from your phone.
It starts with curiosity, it grows with learning, and it turns into confidence when the first payout lands and you realise it can cover a school need you were previously praying about.
If this idea feels too big, begin with one question: “What can I do with the knowledge I already have?” From there, let the door open.
You Are Not Alone in This
Planning for your child’s future can feel lonely, especially when it seems like everyone else is already ahead. But I want you to hear this clearly, you are not alone.
Inside the 5StarMums WhatsApp community, you will find other Nigerian mothers who are walking this same path. Some are still figuring things out, others have saved for two years and are seeing results. But what binds us all together is the belief that motherhood does not have to be lived in fear of the future.
We plan not because we have it all. We plan because we believe our children deserve more, and we believe that we have the capacity to grow into the kind of mothers who provide, nurture, and protect without losing ourselves in the process.
Listen to the Podcast Episode: “Planning for the Future: Education and Savings”
If you want to hear this conversation in a more relaxed, story-driven format, listen to the full podcast episode now on Spotify.
🎧 Click here to listen to “Planning for the Future: Education and Savings” on the 5StarMums Podcast
Let it play while you cook, or on your walk to pick your little one from school. Let the words remind you that small beginnings are powerful, and you are allowed to start from where you are.
Final Thoughts
You do not need to wait until you have everything together to begin planning for your child’s future. You can start with a soft whisper of vision, with five hundred naira, or even start with a quiet decision that says, “I want better.” And that alone is more than enough.
Your journey is valid, your pace is enough, and your presence is powerful. You are already giving your child something priceless, a mother who sees tomorrow and is not afraid to start walking towards it.
Want more heartfelt guidance like this? Follow us on Instagram @5starmums for more motherhood stories, savings tips, and real-life conversations that meet you where you are.
“Don’t go through mumming alone.”
FK Jesuyode
Founder, 5StarMums
