Professor's heartwarming letter to single mum who missed class wins hearts worldwide

Being a single mum has a lot of challenges. And being a single mum while at university presents even greater hurdles.

So when one young mum from Tennessee missed her class last week because she couldn't find a babysitter, she didn't expect this response from her professor.

Morgan King's professor, Sally Hunter, noticed her absence and emailed her about her skipping class - but instead of berating the 21-year-old she instead sent a heart-warming solution that melted hearts around the world.

"Hey Morgan, We wondered where you were this morning.

"I am so sorry to hear that childcare issues are what caused you to miss class today," she wrote.

"In the future, if you are having trouble finding someone to watch Korbyn, please feel free to just BRING HER with you to class. I would be absolutely delighted to hold her while I teach, so that you can still pay attention to the class and take notes.

"I work for the Department of CHILD and FAMILY Studies... so how terrible would it be, if I was unwilling to have a child visit out class? I'm very serious with this offer... just bring Korbyn with you!

"And your absence from class today is considered 'excused'."

King took to Twitter to share her professor's email, writing: "Told my professor I missed class yesterday because I couldn't find childcare & this was her response. I'm literally crying. So blessed/thankful".

Her tweet has since gone viral, receiving more than 26,000 likes and 5000 retweets with social media praising the professor.

Even University of Tennessee chancellor Beverly Davenport retweeted King's post.

"Morgan, thanks for showing us challenges college students face. Prof Hunter, thanks for being part of the solution," Davenport wrote.

King is a single mother who lost her own mother to breast cancer last year.

She said balancing school, work and motherhood by herself can be tough, but told Knox News she will continue to push through the barriers.

"It is so hard. But I am so determined to graduate and get my degree for Korbyn and I.
It's not just about me anymore. I have to do this for us."

This article was first published on NZ Herald and is republished here with permission.