Classes, tests, rent, toys and diapers help keep at least two Ball State students busy during the academic year.
Emily Whitted and her husband, Andrew Whitted, both 22, had their first child when they were 19. Between their daughter, Kaeylah, 2, and son, Chandler, 8 months, the couple has been able to find a balance between work, school and family.
Emily Whitted has 13 hours of classes as an apparel design major and works 25 to 30 hours at Applebee's as a waitress. She spends all of her free time with her kids.
After their daughter was born, Emily Whitted took a year off school, but since then has remained a full-time student expecting to graduate in 2005.
Andrew Whitted, also scheduled to graduate in 2005, is currently taking 12 hours in his political science major while also working full time at Hillcroft Services Inc.
While Emily and Andrew Whitted are in class or at work, they receive help from Andrew Whitted's mother, Margaret Whitted, who lives in Muncie.
"She provides free babysitting, so we have her watch the kids," Emily Whitted said.
"I'm very proud of Andrew and Emily," Margaret Whitted said. "It's unbelievable the amount of responsibilities they have taken on. In my eyes they have the perfect little family."
Emily and Andrew Whitted also receive help with finances through a federal grant and the Indiana Higher Education.
The four of them currently live in a two bedroom apartment in Scheidler Apartments at the cost of $470 a month, including utilities.
Ball State designed programs to help students with children make their way through college.
Worklife is one program that helps parents find babysitters that will fit with their budget.
"Most parents [enrolled in classes] take a full load or close to it, but I don't know how they do it," Martha Stephens, coordinator of Worklife Programs said. "It's really tough and I commend them."
Established in 1990, the program currently serves 300 families a year. These families include Ball State faculty, staff and students.
Only about one-fourth to one-third of the families are Ball State students, Stephens said.
Each semester the program enrolls 40 to 45 babysitters, Stephens said. These babysitters go through screenings with the program and the parents to ensure the best care possible for children.
The sitters name their own rates, which usually range anywhere from $25 to $120 depending on the age of the child, Stephens said. Day care centers range from $25 to $172.
The program, which will offer information to parents on the Web starting Oct. 1, also provides parents with information on schools and government information about students with children.
Another program on Ball State's campus is the Child Study Center. The center, located at 1416 W. Cardinal St., serves 72 children all between the ages of 6 weeks to 5 years old.
The center was designed as a lab for students enrolled in infant and toddler development and education and child development and practicum courses.
"The center is meeting the need for part-time child-care for college students, faculty and staff that most larger child-care centers don't offer," director Robin Box said in a press release. "We provide options for parents needing child-care less than four hours a day or less than 20 hours per week."
The center offers day hours as well as evening hours starting at 6 p.m. and lasting until 9:45 p.m. on Mondays and 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday through Thursday.
Emily Whitted said having a child and being in college can be done, it just takes a lot of patience.
She said she always imagined herself in college, and after giving birth to her daughter, she said she was even more determined to finish school so she could provide her child with a good future.
While some college students spend their free time partying, Emily Whitted does admit that she misses out on a social life, but says she has never been a big "party animal."
With the lack of time to make friends and lack of study time, which is often used entertaining their kids or cleaning the house, both Andrew and Emily Whitted feel that it's all worth it.
"Chandler just started scooting and Kaeylah is learning her colors and more words" Emily Whitted said. "They are just such joys in my life."
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