By Macady Amparan

Guest Writer

I had been a stay-at-home mom for three years when I felt the sudden urge to pursue a degree. I never attended college after high school, and even though it had been a long time since I had sat in a classroom, I could not deny the ache in my side telling me to go back to school. The biggest hurdles holding me back were childcare, convenience, and cost. After some quick research, I found Delaware County Community College and was intrigued by its online accessibility and affordability. It was not long before I set plans in motion to become a full-time student while remaining a stay-at-home parent. I knew it was important for my toddler to see his mom prioritizing both education and family.

On my first day of classes, I found out I was pregnant with my second child at 26 years old. It was a happy surprise, but I knew it would test my capacity to balance schoolwork, a toddler getting into mischief, and the relentless morning sickness of pregnancy. I also knew that once the baby arrived, I would have to take time off to heal, setting me back at least a semester. Nevertheless, I was determined to see this through.

Reflecting on my journey at DCCC—having taken classes full time year-round through summer, fall, and spring semesters, studying until the final days of my pregnancy, and taking only one semester off after giving birth—I learned so much about what it means to be a student parent.

My experiences at DCCC mirrored those of many others balancing both roles. Although only about 18% of undergraduate students nationwide are parents, we have unique needs that differ from typical college students. A recent survey reported that 79% of student parents deal with unreliable childcare and often enroll part time due to heavy workloads and family duties. Student parents also express a strong preference for online classes to work around unpredictable scheduling conflicts.

Of the 3.1 million undergraduate student parents, 75% are women, and 43% never mention their parenting status while enrolled. Additionally, 65% report never asking for academic accommodations related to parenting duties.

As a parent, you carry the mental load of ensuring your own assignments are submitted on time alongside your children’s schoolwork. During an episode of DCCC’s student podcast, “This Must Be Heard,” produced by the New Media Lab and featuring a panel of mothers in college, guests discussed the challenges they face. Dionne Harrison, the 2026 graduation student speaker, put it bluntly: “I think that the challenging piece is making sure my son is also getting good grades while I’m here focused on getting my work done. So, it’s not just making sure that my grades are good, but I have to stay on him to make sure that his grades are good, too.”

One of the steepest hurdles I faced during my studies was unexpected illness. When a child is sick, all they want is their mother, which forced me to miss classes and sacrifice precious study hours. Falling behind added to an already heavy burden. Toggling between “mom mode” and “student mode” was equally taxing, leaving narrow windows for homework. Typically, the bulk of my coursework happened after bedtime, leaving little time to unwind—a temporary trade-off I willingly accepted when I decided to pursue my education. Paying tuition alongside babysitters for on-campus obligations created additional strain. While I have a supportive partner with a steady income, many student parents must make ends meet on their own. For some, their only support system is themselves.

I spoke with several classmates balancing motherhood and coursework. Jean Marie Maniaci pointed to scheduling as a key hurdle: “I do wish there were more in-person classes provided at night. I find being in the classroom setting is so much more engaging than online classes. You learn so much more.”

A clear consensus emerged from these conversations: The college could best support student parents by providing a child-friendly environment and dedicated support systems. “I would have loved to see more support specifically for parent students,” Harrison said. “A parent support group would be great. Just having a space where we can connect and support each other would go a long way. I’d also like to see more consideration for student parents when it comes to clubs, especially for those who work during the day. This is nonexistent.”

I asked Jean Allison, associate professor of Early Childhood Education, about the college’s plans to build these pillars of support. She highlighted the Early Learning Center opening at the Southeast Center campus, which will operate as a lab school for teacher training. The facility pairs a college classroom on one side with a childcare center on the other, connected by a secure door. College students can enter to observe teachers and children directly or watch through dedicated observation rooms to avoid disruption. Childcare operations are contracted through the Lansdowne YMCA across the street, and the center will be open to the broader community.

“Where I think the benefit for parenting students would be is you’d be able to put your child in full-time care where they also receive early childhood education,” Allison said. “So it is a learning environment for them, and you can take a full load of classes.”

When I asked whether students could drop children off only during class hours, Allison noted that administrators are exploring options. “What we’ve heard from students is they don’t necessarily need full-time childcare, but they need some place where they can drop their kid off, go to class, and go back and pick up their kid,” she said. “So we are currently working on that with the Lansdowne Y to see if we are able to offer those types of services.” While drop-in care is not yet available, full-time enrollment opens as early as February for the fall semester.

Regarding affordability, Allison noted that the Lansdowne YMCA accepts state childcare subsidies, which can cover up to 100% of costs based on income. Students eligible for federal Pell Grants generally qualify for these subsidies.

Harrison credited several campus initiatives in helping her during her academic journey: “First of all, financial aid made it possible for me to stay in school while supporting my household. The KEYS Program helped me with transportation and personal needs. The Learning Commons made it possible for me to complete my work early on by providing a laptop. The Essential Student Resource Center supported me with textbooks, food, school supplies, and a community of my peers. Overall, DCCC didn’t just support me academically, it helped me discover my voice, my purpose, and who I’m becoming.”

Returning to school after years away can feel daunting. The financial, emotional, and mental commitments run deep. Yet investing in yourself remains worthwhile.

Jeannine Kelly, a DCCC student whose children are grown, captured that sentiment: “I just finally felt like it was time for me to make this happen in my life because I had dreamed about it for so long.”

What these women showed me is that excelling as a mother and thriving as a student are not mutually exclusive. And what my time as an adult learner has taught me is simple: Education carries no expiration date, no matter what stage of life you are in.

Macady Amparan graduated from DCCC in May 2026. She served as an editor with The Phantom Student Press that semester. She is earning a degree in digital journalism from Penn State World Campus. Her sons are now 5 years old and 21 months old. Photograph courtesy of the author.