Social work senior Natalie Kyles laughs as she points to an animal book with her 3-year-old daughter Kadence on Wednesday night before Kadence goes to sleep. Kyles is a single mother who became pregnant her sophomore year at MSU. She plans to graduate this May. Her evenings often are spent relaxing with her daughter because Kyles is either working or in class during the day.
Social work senior Natalie Kyles spends her days as most MSU students do. However, before she makes the trip from her East Lansing townhouse she has already done her daily morning tasks along with those of her daughter, 3-year-old Kadence.
Kyles is a single mother, an MSU student and a social work intern at NorthWest Initiative, 530 W. Ionia St., in Lansing.
When Kyles became pregnant with her daughter, she never looked back. A sophomore at the time, Kyles didn’t know exactly where to turn.
Fortunately she had family and friends that were more than helpful. Kyles said having her daughter made her realize it was time to grow up and start providing.
Although it was an adjustment, she said she does not regret it for a second.
“(Kadence) drives me crazy, but keeps me going,” Kyles said. “It’s all worth it in the end.”
Despite having more tasks than most college students, Kyles has been able to balance her personal, academic and work life while also having time to see distant relatives.
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