Parenthood adds challenges to nearly half of USU students by graduation day

By Maddie Wilson

February 10, 2008 | It is a typical Sunday evening, and 11-month-old Kaiya has just finished her bath in the purple tub. She lies sprawled on the green carpet as her mother helps her into her fuzzy pink, zip-up pajamas. She laughs, flails her arms and legs in the air and squirms around so that mom has to work hard to get on the pajamas.

It's almost Kaiya's bedtime, although she doesn't seem tired. She seems to prefer exploring the trailer apartment, cooing, laughing and murmuring as she plays with the cords under the computer desk, rather than going to bed. But her parents, Brenton and Maren Petersen, are ready for their quiet time together after Kaiya is asleep.

At this time in their lives, however, their quiet time isn't always as relaxing as they wish it could be. Instead of watching T.V. or talking, enjoying their time together, they have to do homework.

The Petersens juggle three roles in their lives: they're students, parents and employees. And they are not alone.

In a survey for USU's Office of Analysis Assessment and Accreditation, 48.8 percent of bachelor-degree graduates in 2007 were married. And 22 percent had more than one child.

That's saying a lot for those graduates. Life as a student and a parent can get hectic. The Petersens know this.

Tuesdays and Thursdays are the busiest days for the Petersens. Brenton, an art education major, leaves for class at 9 and is done by 10:30. Maren, majoring in intercultural communication, watches Kaiya until he gets home, and then she leaves for class at noon. She comes home at 1:30, and they both watch Kaiya until 3:00, when Maren goes back to campus until 6:00. Kaiya doesn't seem to mind having her parents come and go.

"She does great," Brenton said. "She must love us both."

It still is hard work, even though Kaiya cooperates. Maren said she has to plan her own schedule around Kaiya's.

"She's a baby," Maren said. "Someone has to watch her whenever she is awake."

So, Maren showers and does homework when Kaiya naps.

Another tough aspect of being students and parents is finding the time to make money, the Petersens said.

The couple manages the apartment complex where they live, which places them in a good financial situation, they said. On top of that, they both tutor a few hours a week -- Maren online and Brenton on campus. Maren said sometimes Kaiya demands her attention when she is supposed to be working online. Brenton also does work-study, but altogether, they do not work many hours a week.

An even bigger sacrifice is free time, they said.

Before she married, Maren was involved in many activities and organizations on campus. But now that she has a child, she cannot spend the time with those activities anymore.

"Being a mom is a big lifestyle change," she said.

Maren also had to turn down a job opportunity as an assistant director of the student writing center because she needed to stay home with Kaiya. Her "dream job" is to be a writing center director.

The Petersens wouldn't trade their jobs as parents, though. It's what they enjoy doing.

"It's fun to watch (Kaiya) grow and develop," Maren said.

It also adds deeper meaning to their lives.

"If you want to make a difference in the world, be a mom," Maren said.

The Petersens have also seen improvements academically since they've been parents—they both have earned better grades. Brenton said Kaiya motivates him to do well in school and work harder to finish so that he can support her.

Children may be fun, but they do cost the family more money, the Petersens said. They go through food and diapers fast. The Petersens cope with their finances by utilizing resources for those in their situation. They use the federal grant program for women, infants and children (WIC). According to its Web site, this program "serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants and children." It provides those who qualify with supplemental nutritious foods, nutrition education and counseling at WIC clinics, and screening and referrals to other health, welfare and social services. The Petersens save about $150 a month because of WIC.

The Petersens wish to tell others who might be student parents that it is possible to handle school and children. Students do not have to wait until graduation to have kids. There's always a way to do it, Maren said.

"You have to prioritize and sacrifice, but it's worth it."

The Petersens are content with this time of their lives. As they continue to juggle their different roles, they know they can always find joy and laughter in watching Kaiya roll and play around on the green carpet after a bath.

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