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Show www.thespectrum.com ST. Don't make your children pay for your education By Therresa Worthington School days chool has started, and the homework is already piling up. I love it. There is no better feeling than moving forward in your life, in striving. — and succeeding — with long-sought goals. Call me strange, but I feel that way with work as well — except I miss my kids. : As a full-time student and full-time career woman and mom, I do get overwhelmed. However, to have it any other way would hurt my family, as I am a single mom. This schedule I have chosen is a balancing act and a precarious one at that. I miss time with my children, and they miss me. So when my sister hears comments from my daughters that they never get to see me, I plan something, even if on the fly, so that _ we experience quality time. Whether we sit and tell stories, or have an almostall-night-movie night (they always fall asleep) where we each choose a movie, it has to be special. Even cleaning house together can become a moment of togetherness instead of" another duty. Sometimes it is a quick drive to take pictures of anything that catches our eye, or just ‘window’ shopping. What I am saying is this; when you have a family and are going to school, the important thing is to = let. the kids know that they are not taking a back seat to your education. Make them a part of everythiing. you can, and make sure’ you make yourself a part of their lives in even the smallest ways. Put their homework first, give them that extra hug before bed, have them read to you in the car on your way to the sitter’s house ... Every little bit counts in the mind of a child. Parents who begin — and finish — their education while their children are young need a round of applause. The balance is hard to attain, and maintain. Single parents need two rounds of applause. Walking the tight-rope of life while bettering yourself.and the future of your family takes a lot of gumption. If you know a parent who is in the midst of this acrobatics, stop and give him or her a pat on the back. While you are at it, give the kids a hug and tell them how well they are doing in helping mom or dad in doing this. It will be appreciated, and will give the children and parent a boost they need. I love school and work — but I love being a mom more. Leaving the house to do what I have to do is a challenge I meet every day — most days with a bravado I do not-always feel — but I am doing it. I hope that, in the process, my kids learn the best lessons from.our struggles, and we remember that family is worth the trials. GEORGE NEIGHBORHOODS For the week of September 8, 2008 — The Spectrum — LL FOOD e Continued from page 10 a Wok area, a home cooking area and from the grill. There's also a bakery, which Elsie Evans operates. “The public is welcome to come join us for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Peterson said. “We provide good nutritious food. The students are our No. | priority, but. we also do the needs of the community and the faculty and staff? Smit and Campbell noted that food service also does a lot of catering, including for weddings. It also provides service for alumni who e up their orders. Peterson said his staff caters approximately 1,200 events a year, including regular meals for the likes of the Southern Utah Homebuilders Association, the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce and the BYU Management Society. Students, faculty and staff members have their choice of four different meal ticket plans, with prices ranging from $799 to. $1,199 per Bob Hudson / St. George Neighborhoods Dixie Campbell of Dixie State’s food services department attends to an unidenti- tage of the plans save an average of 12 percent since students get a 5-percent discount and no one pays sales semester. Those who take advan- Tues. - Sat, itam - “Kids can have a full- 6pm www.comicsplus.com _ me 8s by tptetn ig tics 3 ~~ FEM EE z Hibs rittchr iii fied customer campus. on breakfast for $57 noted Hadley, one of the chefs. “They can eat lunch for $7 and dinner for $6 or $7” As Hair noted, one of the best things is the friendly at the Red Rock Cafe on service. “Tt makes it nice to get up in the morning and enjoy going to your job, Campbell said of the reason she continues to work. |