Teen Mother Check In

[MrsKitty]

This section seems so dead lately. So here we go...

Who here is\was a teen mom?
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
How old were you when you had your first child?
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?

[kasumisniper]

This section seems so dead lately. So here we go...

Who here is\was a teen mom?I was a teen mom
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?I was 17
How old were you when you had your first child?a month shy of 18
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?I was sared, but really happy too. My then boyfriend actually BAWLED when I told him.
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?The stares people gave me.
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?Trying to do everything alone. It would have made a big difference if my husband had done anything to be a father.
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?Remember above all else that your baby will need you more than anything else when it's born. Put him/her FIRST..

[MrsKitty]

Who here is\was a teen mom?

Moi! I just turned 20, I still very much feel teen momish.

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?

17

How old were you when you had your first child?

18

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?

Horrified. I shook and thought I might pass out or throw up (from shock not from morning sickness). I walked outside the doctors clinic, fell onto the concrete, and promptly smoked 5 cigarettes before I felt like I could move. I briefly thought about running into on coming traffic.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?

I had a lot of people tell me I was being selfish and irresponsible for not having an abortion. My roommate made abortion jokes and pretended to push me down the stairs because she thought that fact that her best friend had "knocked up" a 17 year old was hilarious. I had a few health professionals talk down to me like I was stupid, and had a walmart employee mouth me off for being too young to buy a crib (glad I didn't, we are loving co sleeping here :)) I think the hardest part was people who assumed that because I was young I was immediately stupid and didn't understand what was going on.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?

I don't think I find anything that difficult about being a teen mom that dosent apply to other age demographics. I get frustrated sometimes, sometimes we have a month that is tight in cash, but over all I find parenting extreamly enjoyable.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?

This is YOUR baby. It is time to step up and start making decisions. You need to do the research yourself. Ignorance is not an excuse. Go out and educate yourself, read, ask questions, and learn. This is your baby, not your mothers baby, not your aunts baby, not your doctors baby or the naggy woman on the busses baby. You need to make choices based on your education, what you know, and what you feel to be correct.

If you make the decision to continue the pregnancy and not place baby for adoption, then go into it 100%.

[kasumisniper]

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?

I had a lot of people tell me I was being selfish and irresponsible for not having an abortion. My roommate made abortion jokes and pretended to push me down the stairs because she thought that fact that her best friend had "knocked up" a 17 year old was hilarious. I had a few health professionals talk down to me like I was stupid, and had a walmart employee mouth me off for being too young to buy a crib (glad I didn't, we are loving co sleeping here :)) I think the hardest part was people who assumed that because I was young I was immediately stupid and didn't understand what was going on.


I'm so sorry you got those reactions. Being young does not effect your ability to love the life growing inside of you. I got alot of the same reactions.

[LianeV]

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?

This is YOUR baby. It is time to step up and start making decisions. You need to do the research yourself. Ignorance is not an excuse. Go out and educate yourself, read, ask questions, and learn. This is your baby, not your mothers baby, not your aunts baby, not your doctors baby or the naggy woman on the busses baby. You need to make choices based on your education, what you know, and what you feel to be correct.

If you make the decision to continue the pregnancy and not place baby for adoption, then go into it 100%.


:yourock:clap::woohoo::

I have many clients who are teenagers. This is the main message I'm trying to get across to them. Your words validate my message. Obviously, you have been empowered by your experience. I urge you to share this with others in similar situations. Check with your local WIC office to see if they need peer breastfeeding counselors -- some offices even pay wages. Regardless, you have been given a gift and could pass that on, not just through your example, but also through moral support you share with others.
I am proud of you and don't even know you. I hope we can be friends, as well.

[MrsKitty]

Thanks LianeV :) I live in Canada so we don't have WIC here.. but right now I am doing my reading for my breastfeeding and doula courses. I want to be able to volunteer part time or offer services on a sliding scale to teen\young mothers.

[JulieBaby]

Who here is\was a teen mom? I am. (19, almost 20)

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 16

How old were you when you had your first child? 17

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? I was already married and DH and I were very ignorant in trying for a baby me being so young. When I found out I was definately happy, then extremely terrified. I didnt know how to tell my mom, I couldnt imagine what changes I would go through and how my life would change once I had my first child.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? There are quite a few women with big mouths and the hardest was definately the people who would stare at me as I walked to school in my uniform, the old ladies who couldnt resist asking me how old I was, going to the OB/GYN and having all the women look me over because I was only 16 and looked about 12 (lol)

Something else that was really hard were stretch marks. It sounds dumb now but I definately suffered as I started to lose my once gorgeous stretch mark free body. Its hard being that young and not even being able to look at yourself in a mirror.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
Everyone who thought that because I was a young mom I was stupid and couldnt possibly raise my son right. Everyone who thought I would be like so and so who had their baby and left him with mom just to go partying. Everyone who thought they would end up raising my son because I couldnt possibly abandon my party life to raise my child.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?

As pp said, your child is just that YOURS. You do what you feel is right no matter what anyone says. The child is YOUR responsibility, so please dont expect mom or grandma or whoever to take over your role as mother. If you decide to keep your child you need to give up parties and everything else.

Nothing makes me more angry than moms who give birth and then expect the family to be responsible for that child. You had him/her you are the one responsible for their care.

[Violet]

Who here is\was a teen mom? I was a teen mom

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?I was 18 when I found out.

How old were you when you had your first child? I was 18 when I had her.

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? I was scared to death.....espsially of having to tell my Grandparents with which I lived with. My Grandpa was an elder in the church.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? The dirty looks that people would give me.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? People thinking that I was too young to be a Mother. I mean, yes I was young but that didnt make me any less of a mother.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? That your baby is exactly that....YOUR baby.

[chinapiggy]

I was 15 when I found out I was pregnant and 16 when I had my son.

I actually smiled. I knew our parents would flip, I knew it would be hard. He and I were both just like okay, now to take care of this.

the looks and pitty were the hardest thing about being a preg teen. Being kicked out of my school to go to a teen parenting school sucked too.

the looks as a teen mom were awful too. The advice that drove me nuts. I knew what I was doing and was doing a fine job.

this is your child, let no one tell you how to raise it. LIsten to advice and take what you need from it. Take care of your own kid. you decided to have the child, you raise it. Do not make your parents do everything.

[Buttercup78]

Who here is\was a teen mom? Me
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 16
How old were you when you had your first child? 17
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? Confirmation (I was aware of supposed fertile times in a normal cycle, which mine was, and knew that I would probably get pregnant)
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? Getting married. I kind of wanted to, kind of didn't. Figured it would be best, though. Also, finishing school (I was going into 12th grade)
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? For me, having a deadbeat husband who wouldn't work, trying to raise a baby and work myself. I did get the looks somewhat from people, condescending, but I looked older, I think, so not a lot.
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? Good advice above. My mom pushed me to get an abortion which I knew I could not do. She didn't really believe in it, but was being pushed by my stepfather at the time. I knew I could take care of the baby and knew I would do anything to support it, and I followed that. I am SO GLAD I did not listen to my parents. Even though I had a rough life for a lot of years, I NEVER regret having my son. He is 16 now, the age I was when I got pregnant. He's wonderful.

[libby891]

Who here is\was a teen mom?

I am, my name is Lydia.

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?

I was 17

How old were you when you had your first child?

18

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?

scared, my parents totally flipped. they tried forever to get me to have an abortion. and i knew my boyfriend would never go for it. he stopped talking to me four days after i told him, and i am just now about to take him to court for child support

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?

people have their judgements. even if you don't know them, will never see them again, it hurts when they look at you like you have the plague. lucky for me i was 17 and looked a little older, so i didnt get too many dirty glances. but still, having people glare or stare trying to decide how old i was, really was the biggest pain.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?

keeping up! i mean, i know it's difficult for all moms to watch their little ones and we all try to control their environment, but ill admit there have been so many times where ive just thought about not having my baby girl, what it would be like. it makes me feel better imagining how easy life would be, then i feel so guilty for imagining her gone from the world!

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?

same as everyone else. don't mind what others say and think. the absolute hardest thing for me wasn't the back pain or all the trips to the hospital or my parents' disappointment, it was the harsh treatment by my peers. stick with the friends that stick by you. only they matter. if your guy runs out, chase him for the financial support, not to be the father. he's a dirtbag and doesn't deserve your child if he's gonna run out on him/her like a coward.

[Sassafras]

How about a little different perspective.

My dd was a teen mom

Who here is\was a teen mom?
my dd

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
she was 17 and had my grandson three days before she turned 18

How old were you when you had your first child?
She was 17

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
My reaction as a mom was to get my soon to be single mommy home to take care of her and her baby. She was also in an abusive situation that I did not want her to continue to be in.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
As her mom the hardest thing for me was trying to give her all the love and support when she really wanted it to be coming from a husband not her mom.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
I think the hardest thing for my dd was getting back out on her own. My grandson was 6 when my dd was finally able to have a home of her own.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
My dd works as a volunteer giving lectures at High Schools and with the pregnancy crisis center. She is also going to college to be a councilor to young moms.

[Sassafras]

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/pigwedgeon/thesnakehandler001.jpg

my dd

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y60/pigwedgeon/dcp_1532.jpg

my grandson

[Violet]

Sassy,

You DD is very lucky to have you! Thank you for sharing!

[SarahFae]

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 15

How old were you when you had your first child? 16

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? I cried a bit, was scared but didn't show it

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?Trying to explain to people why I was getting bigger, pressure from parents, church people, to get married and/or do things I didn't want to do.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?Taking care of my son while trying to do everything else for everyone. I feel guilty and inadequate when I ask for help or someone to watch him while I make supper, do homework, or even go to the bathroom. It's hard to balance a part-time job, go to college full-time, well more because I'm taking 18 credits this semester, raising my son, and still having a life.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?As I said on that other thread, don't take all the advice given to you. Just because someone is older, doesn't mean they know what is best. They usually know what was best for them but not you. Trust your instincts, and follow your heart; your baby will love you and show you how to be the best mother you possibly can.

[Kendyllsmommy]

This section seems so dead lately. So here we go...

Who here is\was a teen mom?
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
How old were you when you had your first child?
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?

I was 15 when I found out I was pregnant.
I was 16 when I had my daughter.
Happy and scared.
Definetly most everyone looking down on you.
Take it one day at a time.

[arettababy]

This section seems so dead lately. So here we go...

Who here is\was a teen mom?
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 16yr with my first(abortion), 17yr with my second(abortion), 18yr with my 3rd(9/17/06), 19yr with my fourth(12/24/07)
How old were you when you had your first child? 18yrs
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? horrified. new to the navy and didnt even had a car yet.
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? trying to get an apartment, a car and figure out how to balance my navy life with the mom life w/o mixing it together
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? sleeping on your babys' time and not on your own time plus the crying and whining which gets soooo annoying after a while
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
you'll make it, life is frustrating but as long as you have food, clothes, a roof and money to pay for it all even if it paycheck to paycheck, you'll make it. it does get better.

[lilmami81]

Who here is\was a teen mom? I was a teen mom, many moons ago
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 18
How old were you when you had your first child? still 18-he was 8 weeks old on my 19th birthday
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? shock
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? dirty looks
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? not being taken seriously
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? age doesn't make you a better/worse mother trust yourself and educate yourself

[BeckyPink]

"I had a lot of people tell me I was being selfish and irresponsible for not having an abortion. My roommate made abortion jokes and pretended to push me down the stairs because she thought that fact that her best friend had "knocked up" a 17 year old was hilarious. I had a few health professionals talk down to me like I was stupid, and had a walmart employee mouth me off for being too young to buy a crib (glad I didn't, we are loving co sleeping here ) I think the hardest part was people who assumed that because I was young I was immediately stupid and didn't understand what was going on."

I think that HAVING an abortion is very selfish- self centered, irresponsible thing to you and I think that the people telling you that you were irresponsible need to look into abortion and see what they ACTUALLY do to the baby.




Who here is\was a teen mom? I will be a teen mom in about 2 weeks. :)
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 16
How old were you when you had your first child? I will still be 16, 2 months shy of my
17th birthday.
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? shocked and scared.
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? the figure, and not being able to do everything my friends are doing.
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? I dont know yet..
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? NOT to have an abortion. there are better ways to deal with being pregnant. if your not mature enough to deal with pregnancy the right way and either follow through and raise your baby or give it up for adoption then its simple. DONT HAVE SEX!!!!

[Baby_Momma89]

Who here is\was a teen mom? well I'm a teen mom I'm 19 years old now
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?I was 18 when i foundout i was pregnant.
How old were you when you had your first child?I was 18 when i had my daughter
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?I was really scared cause one i was just and just married, two I was by myself bause my husband was deployed overseas. I also didn't want to be a bad mother, i had bad experiences in my childhood with my mom and i didn't and dont ever want to be like that and have my child grow up to hate me.
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?the hardest thing about it is you being so young. and not sure what to.
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?the fear is the hardest thing, the fear of not doing your job as a mother right.
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?do what is best for the baby and be the best you can be cause it isnt just you anymore. love and be loved and enjoy life.

[stephie]

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 16

How old were you when you had your first child? Just turned 17

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? I was shocked but very happy. I was scared of what my parents would say and what my boyfriend would say. But still very happy. Alot of emotions. But was never once scared of being a mom.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
The looks, the people in public whispering behind your back. The hormones, you have teenage hormones and pregnancy hormones. it was very overwhelming the whole time.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
Just staying focused on my son, I kept wanting to go out with my friends and leave him with my parents, It was really hard. You want to do what kids do and I couldn't I had to work and stay home. I missed out on alot of my childhood experiences. And I missed out on the best years of my sons early years cause I was to worried about my friends and parties. And the things most kids to at 17. And then the comments that family makes, they try so hard to tell you to do the right thing and take care of your baby that you chose to have and keep. But your young and I never listened.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
Just focus on your baby. In the end all the friends you have now most likely will disappear, I know all of mine did. I really regret not being there with my son the way I should have been. I should have always put him first and not taken him out at all hours of the night to try and see my friends. I did alot of things I regret, But if you have a great supportive family you can make it work . I am married now, to my sons dad. We have been together for 12 yrs and did break up once for a year and once for 6 months, But in the end we grew up, got married, and we had our second child a little girl, 11 months ago. (she was the honeymoon baby) My life is wonderful now. I have a paid off house, two new cars, and two wonderful kids and a terrific husband. But it was a long hard road to get here. I would not have been so successful if it wasn't for the support of my family and my husbands family. They after all raised my son more then me in the beginning of his life, I realize my mistakes now and am doing all I can to be a better mother now. So my advice is listen to your parents they are there to help in most cases. And if you have the choice to go out ,don't, stay with your child it is much more rewarding in the end.

[mommyofjadyn]

Who here is\was a teen mom? I am a teen mom, i'm 17

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 16
How old were you when you had your first child? 17
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
scared to death, I bawled my eyes out for like, 3 days straight.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
being judged

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
just the work of taking care of a baby, plus going to school

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
just stay strong and you'll get through it, it's not horrible like it seems at first, it'll end up being the best thing you could've ever hoped for.

[TayNRobbiesMom]

what do we consider a teen? Had my DD at 20 and now ds at 22?

[chinapiggy]

Technically you were not a teen, just a young mom Tay. We want any young mom to post here though. We all face the same challenges. We want everyone to join us.

[MrsKitty]

Stephie, I am sorry you lost your friends, but I don't think it is fair to say that every teen mom will loose their friends. Good friends will stick by you no matter what.

[TayNRobbiesMom]

Well, If it helps at all, I'm 22 w/ 2 kiddos and married BUT ppl still stare and act crappy towards me! But I'll tell ya what bfing this time around has made me SURE that I am doing everything the best i can for my child!

[Kenzieee]

Who here is\was a teen mom?
Me, Kenzie.

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
16

How old were you when you had your first child?
16

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
I was not really phased at first. But then I let it sink in and I just felt a cascade of emotion.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
Probably the ridicule, stares, name calling, ect. And the fact I couldn't really tell anyone who my baby's father was.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
My hectic scheduel. School, work, take care of baby. Most of my peers wake up @ 6:30 and head to school. I was up @ 4:00am to take care of my daughter.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
You need to take responibility for your actions, keep your head high, and get a LOT of sleep while you still can.

[Kenzieee]

Stephie, I am sorry you lost your friends, but I don't think it is fair to say that every teen mom will loose their friends. Good friends will stick by you no matter what.

You're right. I still have a small group of friends who help me out and support me. And they've been my friends since Freshman Year. And unfortunatly, tonight is my Junior Prom, and I can't go. So get ready to miss out on some things. I went to home coming, but I was pregnant then... sooo

[godblessedwaynenariwitjr]

This section seems so dead lately. So here we go...

Who here is\was a teen mom?
I am a teen mother.
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
14
How old were you when you had your first child?
15
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
omg s2g
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
everybody always had something to say
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
school
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
I would say just because you is a teenage mother that dosent stop you from completing school and being successful with your life.Never give up because that is what everyone expect you to do because you got pregnant early.And if you do get pregnant have the baby for you not to keep the baby father in your life.In my case I was very lucky the father who is 18 ready to be 19 is very supportive so is his family and mine to.Im still in school a honor roll student to be exact.I would be in the eleventh grade 08-09 schoo year.I have my goals and I am not giving up even if the father and I doesnt work out.

[SarahFae]

Who here is\was a teen mom? That would be me.
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 15
How old were you when you had your first child? 16
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? When we had finally confirmed it, I was fine and started picking out names because I had been suspecting for a month and a half by that point.
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? This isn't teen-specific, but as a previous anorexic, seeing my weight climb due to stress eating.
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? Having people tell me I was taking on too much at 16, a kid, a job, college, an almost husband, all the while knowing that I could be doing so much more and never feeling like I'm doing enough.
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? Take all the advice given to you graciously, but do NOT use it all.

[SarahFae]

And if you have the choice to go out ,don't, stay with your child it is much more rewarding in the end.

I always take my son with me to go hang out with my friends, they love him.

[bestfeedingmom]

Who here is\was a teen mom?
I was, my name is Amy I'm 34 now and my daughter just turned 18

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
15

How old were you when you had your first child?
Two months after I turned 16

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
I was terrified, my mother was disappointed at the time.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
Not going to the prom or even a regular hight school, my friends were experiencing things that I couldn't.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
Wanting to do my best but looking back I see that I made a lot of mistakes

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
Take care of your baby no matter what always put their needs ahead of yours, always!

[jessiehannan]

Who here is\was a teen mom?
I was a teen mom
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
I was 17
How old were you when you had your first child?
I had her the day before my 18th birthday
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
shock. It was a few days after I had my mom stop at the store to buy me some feminine hygiene products on the way to drop me off to my new house. I was moving in with my then bf, and now DH. Later I flipped out because after he said that since abortion wasn't for me, and adoption wasn't for him, it looked like we are having a baby, just sooner then we had planned. After that he just didn't say anything, because it was already settled in his mind.
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
people telling me what to do, and having to depend on others.
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
the Dr's wouldn't take me seriously, and having to adjust from 'me first to baby first'
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
Stand your ground and listen to your instincts. Get help when you need it.

[CandiceBrooke17]

Who here is\was a teen mom? Me!

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 17

How old were you when you had your first child? 17

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? I was scared beyond belief.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? Not being able to do the normal teen things.. like i missed prom.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? My boyfriend not agreeing with the things.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? Stand your ground a trust your instincts.

[Carla1211]

Who here is\was a teen mom? i am
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?16
How old were you when you had your first child?16
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? o my god
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? becoming independent
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? dealing with the father of my baby who is sooo lazy that he cant find a jobbb
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? its hard but verything has a solution a baby is a blessing and once u have that angel with you he/she will give u strnth to keep on going

[Nikie1]

This section seems so dead lately. So here we go...

Who here is\was a teen mom?
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
How old were you when you had your first child?
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?


I still feel like a teen mom, im 20 also.

I was 18 years when i found out i was pregnant.

I was 19 when Robert jr came along.

I was so terrified to tell my parents, I was still going to school, so I knew they would be upset. Before I had any kids I wanted to have everything ready, I wanted to be married and have a good job and enough money in the bank before i had any kids, so i was a bit disappointed, but i knew i wanted him. i even knew he was gonna be a boy.

I didnt have it that hard, because i had taken care of neighbors babies and my neice, so i was accustomed to dealing with babies. i was determined to still get a job at 3 months so that i can start saving and not having to depend on my parents. i wasnt much of a party goer, and i only used to go out with my boyfriend, so i didnt miss the party life. the only difficult thing i could say was leaving my son to go back out to work, and the constant upturned look i would get when people asked me how old i was. i got a few stares and murmurs from people i went to school with, but i didnt care. the most beautiful thing in my life is what i gave birth to.

the hardest thing right now for me, is wondering where i wanna go in life. i am interested in so many things right now, that i want to experiment and see which one i really love, but i cant really do everything because i have to prepare for my son's future and provide for him, so i am limited to my explorations.

my advice to other teen moms, is not to let anyone tell them that their life is over after they have a baby. yes you may have to slow down to adjust to your child but that doesnt mean that you have to stop your dreams. you can take your time off, and pursue your career after, or continue your schooling. you just have to be determined and know its gonna be harder now, because you may have to work, take care of your child and study. but if its something you want you can do it. im currently pursuing my hotel and restaurant management degree, and i want to continue to get my degree in business management. it sounds like alot, but im determined to make it happen and im sure anyone else can as well.

[mama2twoluvbugs]

Who here is\was a teen mom?
I had my first little guy when i was in high school

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
15

How old were you when you had your first child?
16

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
happiness!

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
the treatment i recieved from others, like everyone expected me to fail!

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
having to be better than good, to stand out to prove that i was a good mom, when everyone expected me to be awful because of my age.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
There is a reason God gave you this gift, embrace it, it will be the best thing you have ever done in your life, and your childs life!

[aidensmommy418]

Who here is\was a teen mom? i was
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?i was 15 the first time i had a miscarriage the second miscarriage i was 16 and 18 i got pregnant and now i am pregnant again and im 20
How old were you when you had your first child?i was 4 days shy of 19
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?worried because me and my bf had just gotten back together but then after about a week the shock wore off and i was happy
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? dealing with older people passing judgement on me
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? going to school with a little one
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? stick with it, if we all can do it you can

[stephers4913]

This section seems so dead lately. So here we go...

Who here is\was a teen mom? i am a teen mother
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? 15
How old were you when you had your first child? 16
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? not surprised...kinda knew what i was doing when i concieved
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? sleeping..seriously...nothing was hard for me
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? i seem to be like a single mother..her father does spend time with her (we all live together) but he doesnt change diapers and he has "free" time for himself where i dont
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? dont stress eat right and dont worry about other people..also dont let people tell you your life is over..it isnt over...a new chapter is just beginning

[ASkipper03]

I am 19 and have three beautiful daughters ages 2 years, 1 year, and 3 weeks.I was 16 when I found out I was pregnant with my first daughter and gave birth to her when I was 17. When I first found out I was pregnant I already knew but for them to confirm I was in shock, neither happy or sad, just in shock. The hardest thing for me about being a pregnant teen was the abandonment from my family. They sent me to NC from FL , then brought me back to FL to live at a home for pregnant teens and teen moms. The hardest thing about being a teen mother would be the time factor. I love all of my girls beyond expression but it is hard at times to know I cannot just go out for a night and party or whatnot like other teens. Though I know if given the chance I would not change a thing. Advice that I would pass on to other teens is that to think it through. If you want to keep your child, then definitely keep the sweet baby. If not do not punish the child by keeping him or her. I have seen this all too much with the home I stayed in. Also, take it one step at a time. If it seems like your family and friends have all abandoned you just breath, pray, and you will come through it fine. Remember in the end it is all worth it and more.

[Autumnsmommy09]

Who here is\was a teen mom?
I am
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
17
How old were you when you had your first child?
18
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
Happy excited and scared. I found out the day of my senior prom.
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
My Parents and the fear of them being dissapointed. Which they actually werent. Also all the complications I had
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
Once again my parents they try to take control of my daughter and they try to be her mother it annoys me so much
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
YOU be in control of your child dont let your parents try to take over it is your child let them do their part as their grandparents not their mother

[Chib]

Who here is\was a teen mom?
I was, although I'm now 23.

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
Barely 19.

How old were you when you had your first child?
19

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
I struggled for a few months with the decision to abort or carry to term. After that, I wasn't sure whether or not I should adopt it out or raise the baby myself. I was terrified. I never wanted children, I was nowhere near mature enough to handle being a mother, and I was in a terrible situation relationship-wise.

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
The constant state of worry about what I was going to do when the baby came.

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
Giving up my old life, trying to be there for a baby that I hadn't expected or planned on. I would want to do ME things, and get constantly interrupted by crying. It was hard, sometimes, not to just let her cry so I could have fun. Obviously I got over myself, but it was HARD.

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
Realize that you will change in so many ways, some very quickly, some with time. You will grow with your child, you will learn together, and you will develop into a family eventually, with or without the father present. Be there for your baby, put her first, and it will become who you are, even if it's not who you were.

[Now_serving_number4]

i was at 17. no time to answear the rest lol
nak

[sarahplustwo]

Who here is\was a teen mom? I am ( 19 now )
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant? I was 16
How old were you when you had your first child? I was 17
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? Shocked I was on the pill. I was also very scarred every fear ran acrossed my mind. How can I support this baby? can I be a good mom? what will my folks say? But i found out later that the fact that those questions were going through my mine meant that I was going to be a good mom!
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? Explaining to everyone else that you know what you got yourself into. They think that just because your young you have no clue that your life is going to change, do they not think that everything they can think of has aready been through your head millions of times!!
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? The fact that you have to grow up. No more of mommy and daddy taking care of you you must now take care of yourself and another life that has to have you.
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? Go into it the best you can work hard for you and yourbaby put your child first. I feel the abilty to be a good parent is to be able to put your childs needs above your own. You cant eat if your babys hungry you must feed them 1st before you pee make sure their diper is clean, if you can put your childs needs above all of your own then you should be a good mother.

[natassjia]

Who here is\was a teen mom? my name is natassjia and i just turned 19
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?i was 14 when i found out i was peragent
How old were you when you had your first child?i was 15 when i had her
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant? i cried when i found out but in a way i was happy
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? you could not hang out wiht our friends and could not live your child hood no more
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?working part time and going to school and spending time wiht my daughter
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?plase waite till you get older caus e it just messes your child hood up

[lactivist_heather]

Who here is\was a teen mom?
-Heather, I was a teen parent (now the mother of a teen daughter). I'm 30 these days.

How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
- 15

How old were you when you had your first child?
- 15

What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
- My parents are going to kill me!! Maybe I should run away. (I was brave and told them instead)

What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
- Going to school... the looks I got, feeling exhausted & sick all the time (I was in 9th grade)

What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
- Lack of sleep/ not getting to go out with my friends/ dating/ and the worst thing for me was being a parent while still being parented myself

What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
- Finish school!! You owe it to your baby! Breastfeed, it's the best gift you can give your baby. Learn from this and don't get pregnant again until much later. Pray, Pray, Pray & God will see you through.

[cupidsgirl]

This section seems so dead lately. So here we go...

Who here is\was a teen mom?
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
How old were you when you had your first child?
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?


I'm a teen mommy! :]
I was 16 when I found out, a month shy of 17...and I was six months pregnant. O.O!
I was 17 when I had him.
My first reaction was, "OMG NO! Mom must have rigged this test!" Since she bought it and gave it to me because I was lactating before I even realized I was preggo.
The hardest thing about being a pregnant teen was...trying to apply for stuff, or get assistance and not being able to because I was 18! D=
The hardest thing about being a teenage mother is juggling baby, school, doctors appointments, and social life.
Hmmm, my advice would be: "Remember that this is your child, not anybody elses. Don't be a doormat to other people's advice and don't be afraid to get help if you need it. Work hard now in school and everything, because it will definitely pay off later." ;]

[XxX_Cath_XxX]

I was 15 when I found out I was pregnant with Leigh.
I was 16 when I had her.
I was shocked, scared, worried and a little confused.
Money is probably the hardest part for me.
Get as much help and support you can, whether thats from your parents, the father, friends, aunts, uncles anyone but help and support is vital. x

[LeahCherron]

Who here is\was a teen mom?
I am a teen mom.
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
I had just turned seventeen when I found out, but I got pregnant at sixteen.
How old were you when you had your first child?
Seventeen.
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
I was scared, mainly of what my parents would say. I was honestly very excited. I felt as if I was meant to be a young mom from the moment I thought I was pregnant in the first place. I was many things. Anxious. Scared. Worried. Ecstatic. Thrilled. Concerned...
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen?
Probably the fact that I had to grow up so quickly; not just in a maturity sense, but my body went through so much that it wasn't ready to go through yet. I hadn't prepared myself at all. That, and the fact that nearly everyone that didn't know me, and noticed I was pregnant..they stared at me like I was a whore, when I have been with my baby's daddy for almost a year and a half now..
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother?
Attempting to finish school, raise a child, keep my relationship with my boyfriend in check, and find a job to support myself and my daughter. Lack of support. When people constantly put a negative connotation with teen moms, it hurts the ones who ARE the teen moms. Even just a 'congratulations!' is more support than none. Even friends asking if they can help in any way, letting you know they're there for you..that is so much more than feeling alone.
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens?
If you've dropped out of school, go back.
The best thing you can give your baby is a good life; so graduate, get yourself a better job than you would get on a GED alone. And keep your head up; no matter what happens, you'll figure out where you're supposed to be, how you're supposed to be, and what you're supposed to do.
I know it's hard, but YOUR persistence, YOUR motivation is what is going to affect not only your life, but your child's life. It's not just about you anymore.

[ambercat]

Who here is\was a teen mom?
Amber, I'm 29 weeks pregnant at the moment
How old were you when you found out you were pregnant?
17
How old were you when you had your first child?
I'll be 18 when he gets here
What was your reaction when you first found out you were pregnant?
Scared, Worried about what my parents would think, freaking out about whats was going to happen, turned out my family is my biggest support! And now we're all excited
What was the hardest thing about being a pregnant teen? Being reminded daily that I'm soon to be a single mother, and always worrying about money
What is the hardest thing about being a teenage mother? Realizing that you'll never be the same person you were before.
What advice would you pass on to pregnant teens? Just remember no matter what your fears are, face them head on, dont worry about your parents, in the end they're thinking about the fact that they're going to be grandparents and how they can spoil the baby, and remember to believe in yourselves! And love the new bundle of joy that depends on you.