JUGGLING SCHOOL AND CHILDREN

Some parents have the luxury of being able to stay home with their children all summer long, but there are other parents who face the challenge of juggling work, school and making sure their children are being tended to now that they are home from school.

There is a large population of students on campus who are parents and experience life changes when their children are released for summer break. Each situation is difficult and bears its own challenges.

Brittany Buttars is a junior studying Secondary Education and is also a single mother of two children. Her children are in first and third grade, so during the school year, they are at school the same time Buttars is in class Buttars has been able to coordinate her school and work schedule with her children’s school schedule, getting home each day at the same time her kids do.

“It has been really convenient and nice to take classes at the same time my kids are in school,” Buttars said. “I don’t have to worry about finding a babysitter or a daycare center during the school year.”

But what happens when Buttars’ children are on summer break, and she has to continue working and going to school?

“Everything changes,” Buttars said. “My finances, my work and school schedule, mine and my children’s sleep schedule, everything.”

Buttars spends the beginning of each summer looking for a nanny or day care center she approves of to watch her children. According to Buttars, it isn’t an easy task to find child care she trusts and is within her budget.

Because Buttars’ expenses increase with the addition of child care, she picks up more hours at the restaurant where she works and is more mindful of her weekly expenses.

“I love summer break because my kids have fun playing and relaxing before school starts up again, but it does add stress to my life.”

Many other students on campus relate to Buttars, but there are also students who gain more free time and relaxation when their children are done with school. For parents who are able to stay home with their children during the summer months, the summer becomes a time for playing in the sun.

“I can’t wait until I graduate from UVU. I’ll be able to relax with my kids when they are home from school,” Buttars said.

By MELISSA LINDSEY

Assistant Life Editor