Jessica’s day doesn’t end when her children go to bed. As a mother of three, one of whom struggles with health issues, her nights are filled with chaos. After putting her kids to sleep and ensuring that their health is stable, Jessica stays up late, balancing her education with the demands of motherhood.

“The hardest part is finding time for both my kids and myself,” she says, acknowledging the exhaustion that comes with trying to succeed as both a mother and a student.Jessica is grateful for her mother’s support, but this also reflects on the broader systemic gaps, noting how little assistance she receives from the government or the social system. this should be something society helps with, not something families carry alone.

Kris faces a similar, yet distinct struggle. A mother of two, she juggles her studies, full-time job at iHeartMedia-KFI AM 640 Los Angeles, and raising her children—all while enduring a three-hour daily commute. Some days, there is no choice but to bring her kids to work and class. Despite Kris works full-time, her salary barely covers rent, let alone the costs of raising two children. Ironically, her income disqualifies her from receiving government assistance.”

This is Jessica Dominguez’s family, Ricardo, Benjamin, Leonardo(photo courtesy: Jessica Dominguez)

Jessica and Kris represent a significant yet often overlooked group: student mothers who are struggling to balance education, work, and child-rearing. In California, over 51% of student parents are single parents, the majority of them are low-income. According to a recent survey, nearly 88% of student parents in the state fall into this category. With student parents spending an average of nine hours per day on childcare and household duties, it’s no surprise that many feel trapped in an impossible balancing act. Compounding these challenges is the lack of affordable childcare, with only 5% of the needed childcare services available at public colleges and universities. Many student mothers are forced to rely on family members or juggle work and study around their children’s schedules, without the resources or support they desperately need.

Pictures of her children and their artwork cover Kris Adler’s refrigerator. (Photo by Cheng Li)

Tracy Mejia, as the mother of a one-year-old, she describes how her priority is always her child, even while in class. "Being a mom is always on the top of my head, even when I'm in school," Tracy says. Managing these dual responsibilities requires meticulous planning, often arranging her daughter's care before attending classes, completing assignments, or preparing for school events.Support plays a crucial role in her ability to juggle these demands. Tracy calls it her "village," made up of family members, including her mother and father-in-laws, who help her care for her child when she needs to focus on her studies.

Her day is a careful balance between motherhood and student life,from preparing meals and settling her daughter with caretakers to attending class and managing her academic workload. For Tracy, this journey is about more than just personal fulfillment—it's about showing her daughter that balancing family and education is possible.

Like Kris, Jessica and Tracy mentioned, many student mothers have the possibilites to manage their studies and work largely because of the support they receive from their family members, especially from their mom or mother in law. Not from society or government.This support greatly alleviates the burden of childcare, allowing them to devote more time and energy to their personal development. However, this kind of family-based support also highlights a phenomenon known as 'maternal role displacement,' where these student mothers essentially transfer part of their maternal responsibilities to their own mothers or mothers-in-law. It is important to emphasize that this is not their fault; rather, its because the lack of adequate societal support systems, which pushes the burden of childcare disproportionately onto individual families.

Jessica mentioned that her mom chose to do a part time job so that she can have time to take care of her.

Both Jessica and Kris highlight broader systemic issues. While there are programs aimed at supporting low-income families, the assistance often falls short, especially for those who are working but still financially insecure.

Kris’s situation illustrates the “benefit cliff.” Where families who earn just above the income threshold for aid are denied assistance, despite struggling with basic needs like housing and childcare.

Jessica's opinion"why more week pay is a good investmet for future"

Photo is Jessica's son. (By Jessica Dominguez )

For student mothers in California, financial struggles extend beyond the cost of raising children. On average, there is a $7,000 annual gap between their financial resources and the full cost of attendance at public colleges. Also, except the financial struggles, the graduation rate for student parents is significantly lower, with only thirty percent of them completing their degree within six years, compared to eighty percent of students without children.

Jessica, Kris and Tracy continue to navigate their respective journeys, but their stories are far from unique. With so many student mothers facing the same challenges, it’s clear that the system must change. Increasing access to affordable childcare, expanding financial aid, and offering more flexible work and school schedules are just a few solutions that could help ease the burden on student mothers like Jessica, Kris and Tracy.

Until such changes are made, these mothers will continue to shoulder the dual weight of parenthood and higher education—an overwhelming responsibility that deserves more support from society, schools, and the government.