life of a full time student and mother

Karen Peterson is a working full-time student at Oakland University while being a single mother to her three year daughter Nadia. Left by her daughters father when she was three months pregnant she has taken on the role of mom and dad. There is one out of every two children in the United States that will live in a single-parent family at some time before they reach age 18. The most common type of single-parent family is one that consists of a mother and her biological children. In 2002, 16.5 million or 23 percent of all children were living with their single mother. Karen didnt want to become a part of a stastic but had no choice when her daughters father left her. Karen says that being a single parent is hard and lonely. There is no one else to share responsibilities like decision-making, discipline, and especially helping out financially Karen says.
In todays society not having a father in the childs life is a huge issue that sometimes gets overshadowed by the stress and concern of money. With organization, commitment, determination, and patience, Karen has committed herself to become the best mother that she can be while pursuing her dreams of becoming a lawyer and helping out other single mothers. I followed Karen around for a day to see what life was like balancing school, motherhood, and household duties. This is a look inside the life of a full time student while being a single mother.

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[gillianjc]

I understand your struggle, I'm a single mother of a 2.5 yr old son. I work & go to school full-time and have a couple of part-time gigs. Check out my talk show "Living Single While Parenting" on youtube, we're all about lending ideas to single parents in an attempt to make the road less bumpy. Let me know what you think.

[ChocolateLEO1]

@mommycrissa I was thinking the same thing. Im 27, single mom, and full time student and I dont relate at ALL

[daralhikma1999]

@mommycrissa

It could be her parents house.

[mommycrissa]

That's a nice house for a 24 year old single mother with no indication of a job... I'm a single mother working and going to school so I'm not bashing but I'm having a hard time relating.

[mrsmotroni1]

hi.. im strongly considering going back to school to become a nurse. i have been out of school for over 10 years. actually have never been to collage. i fear that i will not have the time to study and get the grades that i need and take care of my toddler. how many hours of study time do you have/are able to fit in for yourself?have you failed any classes bc you just do not have the time to dedicate your all to an exam? I am not a single mom.. but I have been there. so congratulations

[maureen1002]

You are lucky you don't have to work!! I am a single mother to a 4 year old son, full-time student, AND I work full-time. I feel like I am about to lose it!

[honeichild]

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm also a single mom working and in graduate school full-time.