Some Georgia State students find it difficult to balance their school work, their part-time job and their social life.
But for student parents like Chelsea Mann, they are also busy taking care of someone else: their child.
After having her now 2-year-old son Grayson three months before graduating high school, Mann said that her life has been a learning process.
Now in her third year of college, she’s learned how to better schedule her classes and work hours around the needs of her son.
“I put all my classes on two days. I have three days open. I do my work study here at the daycare and then I have another job. It’s a lot.”
Mann explained that an upside is her job at the on-campus daycare, which makes it easier for her because she is a car-less commuter.
However, working at the daycare does not allow her more time with her son.
“When he’s here I’ll let him be here with his teachers and his friends. It’s not that I don’t want to play with him; I’m here to work. He’s here to be at school and learn.”
Although Mann says her mom helps watch her son at times, a majority of the expenses and caretaking are solely her responsibility.
With minimal help, Mann works hard to succeed in her classes but continues to put the majority of her focus on her son.
“I focus on him as soon as I get home. I make sure he’s fed, I play with him, give him a bath, get him to sleep and then I’m up until two o’clock in the morning doing homework, and then I turn around and get right back up at 6:30 [a.m.] and start my day all over.”
Mann’s supervisor, Phyllis Kimbro, has worked at the daycare for years. Although Kimbro has no children of her own, she empathizes with the parents with whom she works daily.
“I can see sometimes it’s hard and it’s a struggle, but it’s good to leave them in a daycare where they’re comfortable and they feel secure here,” Kimbro said.
Kimbro added that when it comes to student parents, money is one of their biggest struggles.
“We do have a scholarship fund. We are open to students, staff and faculty, but it’s harder for students to pay the fee we have here for childcare.”
Regardless of her age, Mann said that any parent has the same issues she has, and if anything, it’s not about the age of the parent, but about time and a “matter of money.”
When it comes to free time for herself, Mann says that she has to work that in.
“I cherish my little moments I get in between classes. I enjoy that because that’s when I get to focus on myself.”
When it comes to popular assumptions that young parents are not happy with their lives, Mann feels that is all nonsense.
“I don’t have any regrets. Even if I had to start over I would still do the same thing.”
