, 5 Close-ups Students as parents: a neuJ way of life What's it like being a parent? "It's hard!" said senior Greg Nance, father of a six-month daughter named Jennifer. ''There's more responsibility, and your time is completely demolished." How does it affect one's motivation as a student? "I love being a parent but hate being a student at the same time," said Nance. "I wouldn't trade being a parent for anything, but it lessens my motivation for school work because I want to be at home with my family. It's better to wait until you finish school to have children." Junior Terry Rhine, mother of a 20-month-old son, Casey, said being a parent made her appreciate school more. ''I'm in it for academic rather than social status," she said. Rhine took 14 hours last fall and 15 hours this spring. "I like what I'm learning, but it's really hard. You have to budget your time wisely and have your priorities straight. If I didn't have a babysitter I could trust completely, I couldn' t .go to school. I wouldn't leave Casey in a day care center." ,she added. Ken Qualls, admissions counselor and graduate student and the father of three children, said, "} can't remember a time before our kids came. They add the missing part to a family. They're like little consciences floating around." He added, "My kids motivate me to be the best admissions counselor and Christian I can be. They add incentive because I know that I have to set the .exampie. " Seniors Ken and Jill Pulley both plan to graduate this year. They have an 11-month-o ld son , Joshua, who is with a babysitter while Jill is in class. Ken , a public relations major, said, "Being a parent requires a lot more time. All your plans are made around the child. You start putting your family firs t and school second, " Pulley added, "It also makes you more aware of other people's feelings, When I'm in the supermarket now and see someone with a baby, I pay more attention." Jill said, "I know a lot more about babies now, Being a parent brings you closer to your family and to God. Your whole life and your whole person changes. You have to give more of yourself." She continued, "It makes me appreciate my parents more. I realize now what they've gone through and I ask for their advice a lot more. " "It's a tug-of-war between going to school and being at home," Jill reflected. Senior Patty Barrett, director of housing for men, said, "I love school. After I graduate in December, I plan to continue my education on a part-time basis. Barrett, who has daughters aged 14 and 11, said, "Being a student helps my kids in their attHude towards schooL We do our homework together at night. A couple of times the kids have even helped me study," James Walters, graduate st U4 dent, Bible instructor and father of two small children, comment - ed, "I never fully understood the essence of the love of God until I became a parent. It was the first time that I ever loved completely unselfishly; nothing Charissa did earned my love . I realize now that I love her with the purest and strongest kind of love - unselfish love, " Jun.ior Sue Creel, secretary to the registrar and the mother of 14- and 16-year-old sons, said, "Being a mother doesn't affect my Seniors ELEVEN -MONTH-OlD Jos hua Pu/fey listens attentively as parents Ken and Jill entertain him with a SO/1g . motivation to do well in school. I have always been strongly motivated, My 14-year-old does his own ironing and fixes supper when I have to study in the library or attend night class." Being a parent is more than fixing a baby room, changing diapers, getting up in the middle of the night and settling down - it's a part of growing up, It's also part of life, encompassing moments of joy, hope, disappointment, pride, sorrow and fun. Each parent agree, "It's a unique experience." - Bruce Cook r,;~ Cynthia Thompson. Norfol k, VA Doug Thompson. N. litt le Rock~ AR Kayeann Ueckert • .Tyler , TX Ellen Walker • Seorcy, AR .ay Ward • Seorcy , AR Wendy Waterman. Seorcy, AR Darrell Webb • Silvis , IL Karl Wendt • Shreveport , LA Nelson Whittington. Woodv ille, Ontorio Tim Wiblin • Morietto, OH lenneth Wiles. Fort Sm i th , AR Shirley Wilkerson • Montgomery, Al Mary Winter • Seorcy, AR layne Yeidell • Montgomery , AL 271 Jones -Yeldell
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