The balancing act
Every day, senior English education major Kileah Adkins juggles college, work and being a single parent to provide more for her son.
By Tier Morrow
Kileah Adkins tickles Lucien Miller after putting on his pajamas April 11, 2019, at their apartment in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak,DN
5:00 a.m.
At nearly 5 a.m. every morning, Kileah Adkins’ alarm — a small voice full of more energy than she’ll have all day — sounds from beside her bouncing in bed waiting for mommy. She no longer needs to set the alarm on her phone each night because her son consistently wakes up around the same time every day.
6:00 a.m.
Pancake crumbs and drops of yogurt — Lucien’s favorite — shower his lap and the floor as he sits independently in his highchair, never once picking up his spoon. Adkins tries to help her stubborn boy as she finishes her fifth cup of coffee, but he refuses.
8:00 a.m.
Each morning he thinks getting dressed is a game, running from mommy so she can catch him. She hoped to be out the door by 8 a.m., but she is just now putting on his shoes.
8:15 a.m.
He’s gotten better at going to preschool without clutching to her leg, but sometimes he can still be reluctant to go, drawing out mommy’s hug as long as he can.
8:45 a.m.
Circling the commuter lot beside the Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center four times and getting lucky enough to find the last parking spot in the far back corner, Adkins finally makes it to campus, headed to class, already exhausted.
Kileah Adkins follows the same routine every morning as she tries to balance raising her 3-year-old son, Lucien, and all of her other responsibilities in life.
She and her son live in a small, income-based apartment close to work, Ball State and his preschool.
“I won’t lie — there are days when it gets rough,” Adkins said. “Yes, we are struggling right now because I’m a poor, single mother, but I try to push myself by seeing the big picture. I’m miserable now, and I can stay that way the rest of my life, or I can push through for two more years and be able to give Lucien the life I want for him.”
Lucian Miller and Kileah Adkins touch worms on the pavement outside their apartment in the light rain April 12, 2019, in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak,DN
Childhood
Although Adkins was born in Muncie, she and her mother moved to Corbin, Kentucky, when Adkins was younger.
Adkins said she enjoyed her childhood, so when high school graduation came, she decided to apply to Eastern Kentucky University — 10 minutes away from home.
In August 2007, Adkins began her first semester at Eastern Kentucky, but less than a year and a half later, she transferred to Ball State.
“There are a lot of reasons I left,” Adkins said. “I wanted to be closer to the rest of my family, and I didn’t have anything holding me back.”
During her second round of college at Ball State, Adkins said her classes and home life began to overwhelm her, so she ran.
Kileah Adkins, 8, and her sister, Olivia, 2, swim in the backyard during the summer. Adkins and her sister were raised by their mother in Kentucky. Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
“Instead of facing my problems, I dropped out of school and ran to the Florida Keys,” Adkins said. “In a few months, I met a guy and got pregnant. We were paying $1,200 a month for rent, which was fine when it was just us, but after Lucien came, we had to move and hope my family would be willing to help.”
It is 1,284 miles from Muncie, Indiana to the Florida Keys. That amounts to 20 hours with no stops.
Free Vector Maps, courtesy; Emily Wright, DN
Lucien’s Birth
Kileah Adkins uses bloody hands during her Halloween-themed baby shower September 2015, to replicate Lucien pushing on her stomach. Adkins was surrounded by friends and family in celebration of her “angel.” Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
Lucien Vaughn Miller was born Oct. 30, 2015, at a hospital in Muncie after 23 hours of labor, one day earlier than his due date. He was 20 ¾ inches long and weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces.
“I was going to name him Lucious because I just really liked the sound of it, but then I heard the name Lucien, and I kind of just knew,” Adkins said. “I thought it was so beautiful.”
Adkins said the first few months after she and her boyfriend brought Lucien home were an adjustment for her.
“[His dad] stayed home with me for a week,” Adkins said. “But, when he had to go back to work, I didn’t think I would be able to get through being home with Lucien by myself. He knew how to change a diaper, and I didn’t. He had to show me a lot about what I needed to do to take care of my son.”
Lucien Miller waits for mommy and daddy Oct. 31, 2015. His grandpa on his dad’s side bought the outfit he was wearing the day after he was born, which Adkins said was fitting because it was a Frankenstein onesie. Kileah Adkins, photo provided.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Pew Research Center. Emily Wright, DN
Six months later, Adkins said she found out from her grandpa that Lucien’s dad had gotten into trouble and was on his way to see them for the last time, but he never made it.
Today, Adkins said Lucien’s father is in prison, but she refuses to let any of her family talk negatively about him in front of Lucien.
“My family wants me to change Lucien’s last name, but it is the only thing he will ever have of his dad. I know he isn’t the man he ended up, and I know he loves our son,” Adkins said. “When my son gets old enough to realize he doesn’t have a father, I’m going to tell him the truth. I’m going to tell him that his father loves him very much, but because of some bad decisions, he can’t be here with him.”
Lucien Miller is held by his father at 6 months old at Kileah Adkins’ grandmother’s house. Adkins said his father held him as often as he could when he was home. Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
Adkins said she does not get child support from him to help with Lucien, but she and her son are the best they have ever been.
“It was really hard when he first left because I didn’t really have that other person to rely on,” Adkins said. “It was definitely the most challenging, but it has also been the most rewarding because I have learned that I am stronger than I thought I was, and I have grown as a person.”
Kileah Adkins holds her son, Lucien Miller, at the first house she rented when she moved back to Muncie, Indiana. Adkins said she loved the house because she added new floors and painted, making it her own. Kileah Adkins, photo provided
College, round 3
Going back to college was not something Adkins ever thought she would do after dropping out of Ball State, but as a single mom of a 3-year-old, she said she knew she had to do it for him.
“It was really hard to be a student again,” Adkins said. “I had a lot of doubt at first. It wasn’t just what I wanted to do; it was what I needed to do. I have gotten much better at dealing with stress than I was. I have been able to deal with my own doubt and overcome it. Now, I always tell myself, ‘I can do it.’”
When she first came to Ball State, Adkins said she wanted to be an editor of technical writing, but many of the people in her life talked her out of it, saying it was a dying field. So, she chose to change her major to English education because she said writing is what she’s good at.
Kileah Adkins works with her group during her English linguistics class with Mai Kuha April 25, 2019. After class, Adkins said she has 45 minutes to work on homework before she picks up Lucien. Tier Morrow, DN
Source: American Council on Education. Emily Wright, DN
Even though she said her first semester back in classes was difficult, Adkins said she really connected with her creative writing teacher, who has been a huge support.
“Dr. Jones has been so inspiring — she knows a lot about my past and is still super understanding,” Adkins said. “I’ve talked to her about what I’ve been through. I’ve talked to her about wanting to be a teacher and about how I’m worried my past could stop me.
“She told me that kids recognize when you’re being genuine. They will see it and respect it. Kids are smart. She told me I would be able to relate to them more, and that really gave me hope to keep going. I don’t need to give up just because I’m human, and I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life.”
Lucien Miller slides down the slide at the playground at Carriage House Apartments in Muncie, Indiana April 11, 2019. It is rare for Lucien and his mother, Kileah, to go to the playground after she gets off work. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Darolyn Jones, assistant teaching professor of English, said Adkins has always shown a level of maturity higher than her classmates, and she always comes to class prepared.
“I think Ki is really in the right field for her,” Jones said. “Since she has a child, she will be able to view teaching differently because she will be more empathetic and compassionate, especially to parents who are trying to juggle a lot.”
Jones also said Adkins is more prepared for the future because she is already learning how to time manage school, work and a toddler, but Jones said she wishes Ball State would advertise student options for childcare more.
“Ki was not really aware of the options she had for help with her son,” Jones said. “Ball State and Muncie really do offer a vast amount of options, so it would be so helpful if there were an office or a person people could turn to for help. I think it would also be a great welcoming tactic for the university because it would draw in more single parents.”
Above all, Jones said Adkins is preparing herself to be an asset for whatever school she applies to because she is so committed to providing the best for her and her son.
“Being in charge of a human being is the hardest job in the world; it makes school look easy,” Jones said. “Ki has so much real-life experience that any school is definitely going to want her. When she finishes college, I don’t think she’ll have an issue finding a job.”
Kileah Adkins helps her son, Lucien Miller, 3, put on his new shoes so that they can go play at the playground April 11, 2019, at their apartment in Carriage House Apartments in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Family Support
In order to get her homework done for all of her classes, Adkins said Lucien spends most Saturdays with her dad, so she can “cram everything in.”
“There’s no time for homework because he constantly wants my attention,” Adkins said. “I can’t even pee without him standing next to me. Just last week, I was on the phone, and he didn’t want me to be, so he looked me dead in the eyes and poured his juice on the floor.”
Her sister, Olivia Adkins, also helps with Lucien as much as she can, but she lives an hour away.
“I do my best to help Ki with anything she needs, and I would love to be able to help more,” Olivia Adkins said. “I’ve always said that my sister is my favorite person in the whole world, and I could never imagine loving anyone as much as I do her, but then Lucien came along. I experienced a love deeper than I ever thought possible.”
Lucien Miller and his grandfather, Lance Adkins, play on the slides at an elementary school playground in Selma, Indiana. Lucien was 1 year old. Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
Although Kileah Adkins still needs help from her family, she said she has gained a sense of accomplishment for herself since having Lucien and returning to college.
“Getting my degree is amazing, but being a mother is the most rewarding thing,” Adkins said. “I never wanted to be a mom; not because I hated kids or anything, but because I thought I would never be any good at it, and I actually am.”
Olivia Adkins agreed with her and said she believes becoming a mother has made Kileah more caring, especially towards children.
“Of course, becoming a mother will change anyone, but especially in her, it’s made huge changes,” Olivia Adkins said. “She’s still the funny brilliant person I knew, but she’s so much better now. She’s nurturing and even more caring than she ever has been.”
Kileah Adkins and her sister take Lucien to the Mohican in 2017. The three took a road trip to Corbin, Kentucky, where the sisters grew up. Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
Here and Now
Adkins is currently a senior, but she has two more years before she will graduate with her degree because she can only take four classes at a time.
“I think I have it all planned out,” Adkins said. “[Lucien] will be going to school by the time I am student teaching my last year, so we will be on the same hours.”
She said she hopes to teach a high school class after college, but she doesn’t have any set plans for the future.
“I’ve always liked kids but having one of my own has really deepened my understanding of them,” Adkins said. “[I think as a single mother I will be able to offer] more insight about children, how they are, how they learn, etc.”
Kileah Adkins tickles Lucien Miller after bathtime April 11, 2019, at their apartment in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Emily Wright, DN
Currently, Lucien attends Hazelwood Christian Preschool while she is in class or at work, since he isn’t old enough to go to kindergarten.
The preschool is the closest one to Ball State, and Angie Lopez, the director of Hazelwood Christian Preschool, said a discount is offered to those associated with Ball State — teachers, faculty and students.
“Time is important to all parents, single or multiple. They want to have as much time with their children as possible, so we try to help them get that time,” Lopez said. “Since we are so close to campus, parents can stop by in between classes, for lunch or when we have special programs. It can be hard enough for parents to leave their children and go to work, so we try to offer as much support as we can in the ways we know how.”
Each afternoon, Adkins said she picks Lucien up from the preschool at 4.
“Kileah is a great mom, and her son is great as well,” Lopez said. “She keeps us updated on his schedule and his progress, she attends every event she can, and she just shows so much love.”
Kileah Adkins says goodbye to her son Lucien Miller at preschool April 12, 2019, in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Kileah Adkins drops off her son Lucien Miller at preschool April 12, 2019, in Muncie, Indiana. Kileah will head to school after. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Most of the small family’s afternoons consist of playing, inside and outside, cooking dinner together and preparing for the next day.
“Every little thing he does is so funny,” Adkins said. “I don’t know if it’s just because he’s my kid or if he’s actually funny. He has so much attitude and sass, and he’s only three.”
Kileah Adkins gets the sand out of her son’s shoe and puts them on his sandy feet at the playground at Carriage House Apartments in Muncie, Indiana, April 11, 2019. Lucien refused to wear his shoes while playing. Rebecca Slezak, DN
After getting him ready for bed each night, Adkins said she tries to convince herself to work on homework, wash the dishes or pick up his toys, but she never accomplishes what she wants before falling asleep herself.
There are days when school and raising her son are overwhelming, days when nothing goes as she plans, and, though maybe not as often as she would like, days when everything seems “too good to be true.” Still, Adkins knows she is following the path best for her, and, more importantly, best for Lucien.
"He is my driving force. There are days when I don’t want to get out of bed from exhaustion and depression, but he is the sole reason why I do,” Adkins said. “I’ve had to jump through so many hoops that I never thought I would be able to, but I have for him, and I’m here.”
Kileah Adkins yawns after a long day at school April 11, 2019, while her son Lucien Miller plays in the bathtub at their apartment in Muncie, Indiana. Kileah takes 12 credit hours a week at Ball State University studying to become English teacher. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Kileah Adkins and Lucien Miller snuggle before bed April 11, 2019, at their apartment in Muncie, Indiana. Lucien did not want to go to bed. Rebecca Slezak, DN
The balancing act
Every day, senior English education major Kileah Adkins juggles college, work and being a single parent to provide more for her son.
By Tier Morrow, Features Editor
Kileah Adkins tickles Lucien Miller after putting on his pajamas April 11, 2019 at their apartment in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak,DN
5:00 a.m.
At nearly 5 a.m. every morning, Kileah Adkins’ alarm — a small voice full of more energy than she’ll have all day — sounds from beside her bouncing in bed waiting for mommy. She no longer needs to set the alarm on her phone each night because her son consistently wakes up around the same time every day.
6:00 a.m.
Pancake crumbs and drops of yogurt — Lucien’s favorite — shower his lap and the floor as he sits independently in his highchair, never once picking up his spoon. Adkins tries to help her stubborn boy as she finishes her fifth cup of coffee, but he refuses.
8:00 a.m.
Each morning he thinks getting dressed is a game, running from mommy so she can catch him. She hoped to be out the door by 8 a.m., but she is just now putting on his shoes.
8:15 a.m.
He’s gotten better at going to preschool without clutching to her leg, but sometimes he can still be reluctant to go, drawing out mommy’s hug as long as he can.
8:45 a.m.
Circling the commuter lot beside the Jo Ann Gora Student Recreation and Wellness Center four times and getting lucky enough to find the last parking spot in the far back corner, Adkins finally makes it to campus, headed to class, already exhausted.
Kileah Adkins follows the same routine every morning as she tries to balance raising her 3-year-old son, Lucien, and all of her other responsibilities in life.
She and her son live in a small, income-based apartment on Tillotson Avenue, close to work, Ball State and his preschool.
“I won’t lie — there are days when it gets rough,” Adkins said. “Yes, we are struggling right now because I’m a poor, single mother, but I try to push myself by seeing the big picture. I’m miserable now, and I can stay that way the rest of my life, or I can push through for two more years and be able to give Lucien the life I want for him.”
Lucian Miller and Kileah Adkins touch worms on the pavement outside their apartment in the light rain April 12, 2019, in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak,DN
Childhood
Although Adkins was born in Muncie, she and her mother moved to Corbin, Kentucky, when Adkins was younger.
For the most part, Adkins said she enjoyed her childhood, so when high school graduation came, she decided to apply to Eastern Kentucky University — 10 minutes away from home.
In August 2007, Adkins began her first semester at Eastern Kentucky, but less than a year and a half later, she transferred to Ball State.
“There are a lot of reasons I left, but I really just got sick of the small town, all the drama,” Adkins said. “I wanted to be closer to the rest of my family, and I didn’t have anything holding me back.”
During her second round of college at Ball State, Adkins said her classes and home life began to overwhelm her, so she ran.
Kileah Adkins, 8, and her sister, Olivia, 2, swim in the backyard during the summer. Adkins and her sister were raised by their mother in Kentucky. Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
“Instead of facing my problems, I dropped out of school and ran to the Florida Keys,” Adkins said. “In a few months, I met a guy and got pregnant. We were paying $1,200 a month for rent, which was fine when it was just us, but after Lucien came, we had to move and hope my family would be willing to help.”
It is 1,284 miles from Muncie, Indiana to the Florida Keys. That amounts to 20 hours with no stops.
Free Vector Maps, courtesy; Emily Wright, DN
Lucien’s Birth
Kileah Adkins uses bloody hands during her Halloween themed baby shower September 2015, to replicate Lucien pushing on her stomach. Adkins was surrounded by friends and family in celebration of her “angel.” Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
Lucien Vaughn Miller was born Oct. 30, 2015, at a hospital in Florida after 23 hours of labor, one day earlier than his due date. He was 20 ¾ inches long and weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces.
“I was going to name him Lucious because I just really liked the sound of it, but then I heard the name Lucien, and I kind of just knew,” Adkins said. “I thought it was so beautiful.”
Adkins said the first few months after she and her boyfriend brought Lucien home were an adjustment for her.
“[His dad] stayed home with me for a week,” Adkins said. “But, when he had to go back to work, I didn’t think I would be able to get through being home with Lucien by myself. He knew how to change a diaper, and I didn’t. He had to show me a lot about what I needed to do to take care of my son.”
Lucien Miller waits for mommy and daddy Oct. 31, 2015. His grandpa on his dad’s side bought the outfit he was wearing the day after he was born, which Adkins said was fitting because it was a Frankenstein onesie. Kileah Adkins, photo provided.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Pew Research Center. Emily Wright, DN
Six months later, Adkins said she found out from her grandpa that Lucien’s dad had gotten into trouble and was on his way to see them for the last time, but he never made it.
Today, Adkins said Lucien’s father is in prison, but she refuses to let any of her family talk negatively about him in front of Lucien.
“My family wants me to change Lucien’s last name, but it is the only thing he will ever have of his dad. I know he isn’t the man he ended up, and I know he loves our son,” Adkins said. “When my son gets old enough to realize he doesn’t have a father, I’m going to tell him the truth. I’m going to tell him that his father loves him very much, but because of some bad decisions, he can’t be here with him.”
Lucien Miller is held by his father at 6 months old at Kileah Adkins’ grandmother’s house. Adkins said his father held him as often as he could when he was home. Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
Adkins said she does not get child support from him to help with Lucien, but she and her son are the best they have ever been.
“It was really hard when he first left because I didn’t really have that other person to rely on,” Adkins said. “It was definitely the most challenging, but it has also been the most rewarding because I have learned that I am stronger than I thought I was, and I have grown as a person.”
Kileah Adkins holds her son, Lucien Miller, at the first house she rented when she moved back to Muncie, Indiana. Adkins said she loved the house because she added new floors and painted, making it her own. Kileah Adkins, photo provided
College, round 3
Going back to college was not something Adkins ever thought she would do after dropping out of Ball State, but as a single mom of a 3-year-old, she said she knew she had to do it for him.
“It was really hard to be a student again,” Adkins said. “I had a lot of doubt at first. It wasn’t just what I wanted to do; it was what I needed to do. I have gotten much better at dealing with stress than I was. I have been able to deal with my own doubt and overcome it. Now, I always tell myself, ‘I can do it.’”
When she first came to Ball State, Adkins said she wanted to be an editor of technical writing, but many of the people in her life talked her out of it, saying it was a dying field. So, she chose to change her major to English education because she said writing is what she’s good at.
Kileah Adkins works with her group during her English linguistics class with Mai Kuha April 25, 2019. After class, Adkins said she has 45 minutes to work on homework before she picks up Lucien. Tier Morrow, DN
Source: American Council on Education. Emily Wright, DN
Even though she said her first semester back in classes was difficult, Adkins said she really connected with her creative writing teacher, who has been a huge support.
“Dr. Jones has been so inspiring — she knows a lot about my past and is still super understanding,” Adkins said. “I’ve talked to her about what I’ve been through. I’ve talked to her about wanting to be a teacher and about how I’m worried my past could stop me.
“She told me that kids recognize when you’re being genuine. They will see it and respect it. Kids are smart. She told me I would be able to relate to them more, and that really gave me hope to keep going. I don’t need to give up just because I’m human, and I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life.”
Lucien Miller slides down the slide at the playground at Carriage House Apartments in Muncie, Indiana April 11, 2019. It is rare for Lucien and his mother, Kileah, to go to the playground after she gets off work. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Darolyn Jones, assistant teaching professor of English, said Adkins has always shown a level of maturity higher than her classmates, and she always comes to class prepared.
“I think Ki is really in the right field for her,” Jones said. “Since she has a child, she will be able to view teaching differently because she will be more empathetic and compassionate, especially to parents who are trying to juggle a lot.”
Jones also said Adkins is more prepared for the future because she is already learning how to time manage school, work and a toddler, but Jones said she wishes Ball State would advertise student options for childcare more.
“Ki was not really aware of the options she had for help with her son,” Jones said. “Ball State and Muncie really do offer a vast amount of options, so it would be so helpful if there were an office or a person people could turn to for help. I think it would also be a great welcoming tactic for the university because it would draw in more single parents.”
Above all, Jones said Adkins is preparing herself to be an asset for whatever school she applies to because she is so committed to providing the best for her and her son.
“Being in charge of a human being is the hardest job in the world; it makes school look easy,” Jones said. “Ki has so much real-life experience that any school is definitely going to want her. When she finishes college, I don’t think she’ll have an issue finding a job.”
Kileah Adkins helps her son, Lucien Miller (3), put on his new shoes so that they can go play at the playground April 11, 2019, at their apartment in Carriage House Apartments in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Family Support
In order to get her homework done for all of her classes, Adkins said Lucien spends most Saturdays with her dad, so she can “cram everything in.”
“There’s no time for homework because he constantly wants my attention,” Adkins said. “I can’t even pee without him standing next to me. Just last week, I was on the phone, and he didn’t want me to be, so he looked me dead in the eyes and poured his juice on the floor.”
Her sister, Olivia Adkins, also helps with Lucien as much as she can, but she lives an hour away.
“I do my best to help Ki with anything she needs, and I would love to be able to help more,” Olivia Adkins said. “I’ve always said that my sister is my favorite person in the whole world, and I could never imagine loving anyone as much as I do her, but then Lucien came along. I experienced a love deeper than I ever thought possible.”
Lucien Miller and his grandfather, Lance Adkins, play on the slides at an elementary school playground in Selma, Indiana. Lucien was 1 year old. Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
Although Kileah Adkins still needs help from her family, she said she has gained a sense of accomplishment for herself since having Lucien and returning to college.
“Getting my degree is amazing, but being a mother is the most rewarding thing,” Adkins said. “I never wanted to be a mom; not because I hated kids or anything, but because I thought I would never be any good at it, and I actually am.”
Olivia Adkins agreed with her and said she believes becoming a mother has made Kileah more caring, especially towards children.
“Of course, becoming a mother will change anyone, but especially in her, it’s made huge changes,” Olivia Adkins said. “She’s still the funny brilliant person I knew, but she’s so much better now. She’s nurturing and even more caring than she ever has been.”
Kileah Adkins and her sister take Lucien to the Mohican in 2017. The three took a road trip to Corbin, Kentucky, where the sisters grew up. Kileah Adkins, Photo provided
Here and Now
Adkins is currently a senior, but she has two more years before she will graduate with her degree because she can only take four classes at a time.
“I think I have it all planned out,” Adkins said. “[Lucien] will be going to school by the time I am student teaching my last year, so we will be on the same hours.”
She said she hopes to teach a high school class after college, but she doesn’t have any set plans for the future.
“I’ve always liked kids but having one of my own has really deepened my understanding of them,” Adkins said. “[I think as a single mother I will be able to offer] more insight about children, how they are, how they learn, etc.”
Kileah Adkins tickles Lucien Miller after bathtime April 11, 2019 at their apartment in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. Emily Wright, DN
Currently, Lucien attends Hazelwood Christian Preschool while she is in class or at work, since he isn’t old enough to go to kindergarten.
The preschool is the closest one to Ball State, and Angie Lopez, the director of Hazelwood Christian Preschool, said a discount is offered to those associated with Ball State — teachers, faculty and students.
“Time is important to all parents, single or multiple. They want to have as much time with their children as possible, so we try to help them get that time,” Lopez said. “Since we are so close to campus, parents can stop by in between classes, for lunch or when we have special programs. It can be hard enough for parents to leave their children and go to work, so we try to offer as much support as we can in the ways we know how.”
Each afternoon, Adkins said she picks Lucien up from the preschool at 4.
“Kileah is a great mom, and her son is great as well,” Lopez said. “She keeps us updated on his schedule and his progress, she attends every event she can, and she just shows so much love.”
Kileah Adkins says goodbye to her son Lucien Miller at preschool April 12, 2019, in Muncie, Indiana. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Kileah Adkins drops off her son Lucien Miller at preschool April 12, 2019, in Muncie, Indiana. Kileah will head to school after. Rebecca Slezak, DN
Most of the small family’s afternoons consist of playing, inside and outside, cooking dinner together and preparing for the next day.
“Every little thing he does is so funny,” Adkins said. “I don’t know if it’s just because he’s my kid or if he’s actually funny. He has so much attitude and sass, and he’s only three.”
Kileah Adkins gets the sand out of her son’s shoe and puts them on his sandy feet at the playground at Carriage House Apartments in Muncie, Indiana April 11, 2019. Lucien refused to wear his shoes while playing. Rebecca Slezak, DN
After getting him ready for bed each night, Adkins said she tries to convince herself to work on homework, wash the dishes or pick up his toys, but she never accomplishes what she wants before falling asleep herself.
Kileah Adkins helps her son Lucien Miller brush his teeth the morning of April 12, 2019 at their apartment in Muncie, Indiana. Soon the two will depart their home to go to school and work. Rebecca Slezak, DN
There are days when school and raising her son are overwhelming, days when nothing goes as she plans, and, though maybe not as often as she would like, days when everything seems “too good to be true.” Still, Adkins knows she is following the path best for her, and, more importantly, best for Lucien.
"He is my driving force. There are days when I don’t want to get out of bed from exhaustion and depression, but he is the sole reason why I do,” Adkins said. “I’ve had to jump through so many hoops that I never thought I would be able to, but I have for him, and I’m here.”
Kileah Adkins yawns after a long day at school April 11, 2019 while her son Lucien Miller plays in the bathtub at their apartment in Muncie, Indiana. Kileah takes 12 credit hours a week at Ball State University studying to become English teacher. Rebecca Slezak, DN
