Having a kid, going to school and working all at the same time is rough. If I had one word to describe it, I’d have to say “insane.”

Six months ago my son was born, and it has been a whirlwind ever since. Between mandatory doctor appointments, countless diapers, bottles and random puke fests, free time and recreation are words that almost seem to no longer exist.

Whenever I do end up doing something recreational, I end up paying for it later, because in reality I had no time to be doing whatever it was in the first place. Taking care of an infant child, even for only a couple of days a week like I do takes patience, discipline and hard work.

The best thing about it is that there isn’t a second of time I’ve spent with my son that I would rather be somewhere else. Once I get to see him, pick him up and play with him, it is like nothing else in the world matters for that split second of time.

I forget about life’s problems and actually enjoy life in its purest form. Having a child has changed me in many aspects. Things I used to think were a big deal to have and enjoy aren’t important anymore. What is important is survival. That is the only goal and objective right now – to maintain and provide a better future for my child.

What his mother does is even more amazing. She lives and works in Oakland and goes to school in San Francisco. I think I have it hard? She takes care of him all week while taking him to daycare and picking him up at the end of the day.

On top of all of that, she has to do her homework and find time to eat and sleep. She puts nothing ahead of him, a selfless quality that I respect and admire. She continues to keep at it even after being sick – a result from sleep deprivation and the daily struggles of life.

The stress and demands that are required of a parent to an infant child are crazy. Some nights sleep is not an option. Your kid won’t let you. And that’s fine with me, but I’ve got to say it’s tough.

My son being born is by far the greatest thing to ever happen to me. And there isn’t a thing in the world I wouldn’t do for my son.

That being said, I do miss going out at night on a regular basis. I miss being able to sleep in as late as I wanted, relax and then watch the game. Oh well, when reality hits, it hits hard.

Probably the hardest part about going to school and working right now for me is that I don’t get to see my son every single day. I usually take care of him from Thursday evening to Sunday. I live in Davis but work and attend school in Sacramento, so I do a lot of driving. Between going out to Oakland and the daily commute across the causeway, my car is going through a lot right now as well.

I’m always depressed when I have to leave my son, or he goes home and I have to go back to the grind of school and work out here.

My son is what keeps me going though. This week when my car was broken into and my CD player was stolen, I just let it roll off my back and focused on the big picture.

When I think about how hard my French homework is in the class I need to graduate, I stress and worry, but the thought of my son is what keeps me going.

When I think about my financial situation, I want to pull my hair out, but I keep working away because there is no other option. The rest of the things I used to care about don’t matter anymore.

Then I think about my son and it seems to magically lift like a huge weight being lifted off my shoulders. Then I buckle down again, and I somehow get everything done.

It’s tough being a dad. It’s no joke. Juggling school, work and travel into one while trying to have enough money to eat and provide is something lightweight nutty, to say the least.

At the same time, during these past six months watching my son grow and mature, all I can think about is being a great teacher, mentor and friend. I just hope that I can guide him on the right path to happiness and prosperity in life.

Galen Kusic can be reached at [email protected]