[PHOTOSTORY 4: STRUGGLE] Stay at Home Mother

 By: Gracie James 

Kylee Ann sits on the couch. She is a stay at home mother,

River plays with toys. He is one year old.

River gets his teeth brushed. Kylee starts each morning off like this. 

She makes River a water cup. "Being at home every day is not what everyone hypes it up to be" said Ann.

River waits for this cup. Kylee gets woke up each morning by 7 a.m.

River throws down his diaper and wipes. "It is very hard to stay on top of house work when he runs around and gets into everything."

River looks at the mess he made. Kylee is 24 years old and in pharmacy school at UGA.

Kylee puts River in his high chair. "Everyone praises me for continuing school but it was never a question, I knew I would finish my degree one way or the other." 

River tires to eat his book. Kylee works hard in school to enable a better future for her small family.

River stacks blocks. Kylee is unable to work between school and raising a child so she has accumulated a lot of student debt over her 7 years in college and pharmacy school.

River continues to play. 'I will graduate in May of 2024 and I will be a Doctor in pharmacy at the age of 25 with a child, I think that earns the bragging rights," said Ann.

River plays food truck. Kylee has accomplished more than most 24 year olds and has continued to see the positive side of life.

River keeps playing. "Being a mom has became my favorite thing and I look forward to the future when I can fully support me and my child."

River wants mom to pick him up. Kylee always worked while in school until River came and now she has got to stay with him on days she doesn't have school.

River bites Kylee. "He just started doing this we don't know how to stop it," said Kylee.

Kylee gets ready to put River down for nap time. He was crying and fussing by this point in the afternoon.

Kylee watches TV as River takes a nap. "This is the one hour of alone time I get each day I have to take it in," said Ann.