- April 26, 2024
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LaTrisha Williams checks the schedules posted on the family refrigerator. Photo by Jacque Estes
LaTrisha Williams and three off her four children, Solomon, Shekinah, and Shanaiya (in back). Shalecia not pictured. Photo by Jacque Estes
Once the kids are in bed, LaTrisha Williams does her homework. Photo by Jacque Estes
The refrigertor schedules. Photo by Jacque Estes
LaTrisha Williams and three off her four children, Solomon, Shekinah, and Shanaiya (in back). There's always time for fun. Shalecia not pictured. Photo by Jacque Estes
In a voice generally reserved for the confessional, LaTrisha Williams admits, “I don't wash my kids' clothes.”
She also doesn't clean their rooms, or bathrooms — they do — even 7-year old Shekinah.
The mother of four children (Shalecia, 12; Shanaiya, 10; Solomon, 9; and Shekinah), Williams' teamwork philosophy was the only way she could go back to school for her bachelor's degree while continuing to work full-time as a traveling school health nurse for Volusia County Schools.
“This is what we do, how we survive. It's all about teamwork.” COLLEGE STUDENT AND MOM OF FOUR, LaTrisha Williams
Her husband, Michael, works 12-hour shifts as a correctional officer in Daytona Beach.
Williams went to Daytona State College and earned her LPN when her oldest child was 1 and the second child was 2 to 3 months old. She decided to return to school in 2013 when she learned about Florida Resident Access Grants being offered to those pursuing a bachelor's degree in public administration.
“I wrestled with the idea whether I had time and could make it work,” she said. “It only costs me about $280 a semester. I felt like that it was free education. Why not jump at the opportunity?”
She began taking classes at Flagler College in St. Augustine, two nights a week and some Saturdays, with her friend Patrice Notice. The friends use their travel time to talk about assignments and study.
“It's absolutely hard," Williams said. "That first semester I cried, 'What am I doing, am I making the right choice, is it worth it?'”
As she is speaking, an announcement — her voice — sounds through the house. It's a talking alarm coming from her notepad to ensure everyone stays on schedule. The first announcement of the day wakes the children at 5:45 a.m., and they continue throughout the day. This one indicates it's time to make sure areas of the house are straightened so they can enjoy leisure time.
“This is what we do, how we survive. It's all about teamwork,” Williams said. “I used to be the mom that picked up their toys after them all the time, but once they got to about 5 years old, slowly I started engaging them in doing housework and chores.”
Along with the audio reminders, there are charts on the refrigerator, a schedule that Williams said the kids actually enjoy.
“When they come home from school, they take a bath and pack their lunch for the next day,” she said. “It makes them independent, while not being distant from Mom and Dad. If something were to happen to my husband and me, I don't want them to be a burden to anybody.”
She does her homework after the kids are in bed. As with everything else, she has organized notes. Sometimes she can find time during the day to squeeze in some study time.
“If it's a great day, and no kids are coming in throwing up, or whatever, I can do some studying," she said. "Otherwise, it's nights after the kids are in bed, and on weekends.”
The degree is for her personal satisfaction of making and achieving her goal. She isn't looking for another job; she likes her job and having a schedule that mirrors the children's schedule at First Baptist Christian Church in Bunnell.
“I will probably do some volunteering (after graduation),” she said. “I'd like to sit on a couple advisory boards in Palm Coast and see where it takes me.”
Volunteering isn't new for the family. Despite their extremely busy lifestyle, the family collected and delivered for Toys for Tots from October to Christmas. Giving back to the community and teaching her children the importance of volunteering is important to her.
The schedule does include time for fun, after chores and homework are completed. On weekends and in the summertime, the schedule takes a vacation.
“We do things as a family, go to the movies, and things like that,” Williams said. “The kids play outside with their friends, we have slumber parties. My kids are awesome.”
She will walk across the stage on April 30 to accept her diploma, the first in her immediate family to do so, with family and friends sharing her joy.
The Williamses have advice to share: “Pursue your dreams, start with a plan and stick with it. Involve your kids and family in helping you achieve your dreams.”
