5:45 a.m.: the first alarm goes off — the one that means “Get up now and you can still get a cardio session in on the bike.” Hit snooze.

6:00 a.m.: the second alarm goes off — the one that offers you time to shower in peace and enjoy a coffee by yourself before the kids wake up. Attempt to hit snooze but just shut off the alarm completely.

7:15 a.m.: wake up in total panic. You have class at 8:30 and kids to feed, dress and send off — with lunches, snacks and hopefully both mitts. Skip the shower and go straight to the deodorant — it’ll do. Crash into the kids’ bedrooms and do whatever it takes to get them up.

8:15 a.m.: stand at the front door with everyone ready to go. Although there’s no chance you’re making it to your class on time, there’s still a chance you’ll make it for the second half. Your five-year-old suddenly has to poop and must take every single article of clothing off to do so.

9:00 a.m.: you’re in class — speeding ticket: 1, you: 0 — realizing your breakfast and packed lunch are still sitting on the kitchen counter. You’re either thinking, “Oh well, at least the kids have lunch,” or “Wait, I didn’t send my son a fork for his spaghetti.”

10:20 a.m.: during your 10 minute break between classes, you plan on making all of the family appointments for the next two weeks. After getting side-eye glances from classmates hearing about your son’s likely cavity, you’re put on hold for the remainder of the 10 minutes. Trying again later it is!

3:30 p.m.: the official switch over from student to taxi-parent takes over. You circle your kids’ school seven times because there’s never a close spot when you have to be at hockey by 4:00 p.m. As promised, your son’s new white shirt is orange along with his face and hands from his forkless lunch.

6:00 p.m.: supper — you forgot to plan anything. Peanut butter sandwiches it is. Throw a few carrot sticks on the plate to make it sort of healthy.

6:30–7:30 p.m.: homework, for you and for the kids. Now that’s fun to juggle.

8:00 p.m.: bedtime — just for kids, not for you. It’s actually a great time of day. Teeth brushing, PJs, stories, hugs and kisses — peace!

8:30 p.m.: do everything you didn’t have time for earlier: laundry, dishes, sweeping, feed the poor neglected dog and finish your own homework because, let’s be honest, there’s no way you were getting it done earlier.

9:00 p.m.: you time. You can finally sit and chat with your partner. Play a game and drink wine if you’re ambitious. Crash and watch Netflix — far more likely.

10:00 p.m.: bedtime for you, as long as your homework is done.

While this may seem humorous and extreme — and it’s both — it’s certainly not unrealistic. Student-parent experiences are all different and can be even more challenging.

For example, a student-parent with an infant equals no sleep plus constant diaper changes. A student-parent with a toddler equals no sleep plus tantrums plus not-the-fun-kind of treasure hunts while potty training.

The challenges of being a parent are many and they are constant. Being a student and a parent adds another level of difficulty. Luckily there are also lots of hugs and “I love you’s,” story time, football in the back yard, family movie nights and bedtime.

One thing you can be sure of is that student-parents are hardworking, committed and truly gifted at time management, but they do need encouragement. So if you know a student-parent, be sure to give them a “You can do it” every once in awhile when they need it.

If you are a parent on campus — student, staff or faculty — you can contact the Usask parents on campus group to find out about events, resources and more at campus.parents@usask.ca.

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Erin Barbour-Tuck

Graphic: Lesia Karalash / Graphics Editor