At what point did you find out you were pregnant? How old were you exactly?
I found out I was pregnant when i had just turned 17. I found out, not intending to, through bloodwork. |
How did your parents initially react?
My father... he was incredibly disappointed in me. We did not talk for more than half my pregnancy.. wow thing have changed. My mother was supportive from the minute I told her. She was happy |
How did your boyfriend react?
My boyfriend had a very surprising reaction, at first at least. For his age you would think he would be unhappy. He was ecstatic. Throughout the whole pregnancy he worked hard, at one point he even had three jobs while attending school. He prepared a lot for us. Though things haven't worked out that well, he really did help me early on. Money was never an issue thanks to him. |
Did you ever think about alternatives?
Never. Nope. Never. Not once. Not even for a second. I knew very well what I was getting myself into and how hard it would be, I was well aware of that. But I was also aware that I was holding a blessing that some people will never get to experience in their life. That meant something to me.
Never. Nope. Never. Not once. Not even for a second. I knew very well what I was getting myself into and how hard it would be, I was well aware of that. But I was also aware that I was holding a blessing that some people will never get to experience in their life. That meant something to me.
How was going to school when you found out?
I never cared what people though about me, this didn't change anything. The school felt differently though. They stuck me in the alternative school where i was tucked away from everyone. That messed with my head. I was never a bad kid but they were treating me like I was. It wasn't right and I hope no one ever has to endure that. If I could go back I would have fought that harder.
I never cared what people though about me, this didn't change anything. The school felt differently though. They stuck me in the alternative school where i was tucked away from everyone. That messed with my head. I was never a bad kid but they were treating me like I was. It wasn't right and I hope no one ever has to endure that. If I could go back I would have fought that harder.
What did your friends think?
My realest friends, like you and one other, helped me endlessly. You kept me together. I'll never forget our shopping sprees for clothes or when you came in the delivery room with me. That I will never forget. My other friends?... yeah, they left. but i'm glad. Don't need fake people like that in my circle. I'm glad I got them out early and on the way I have met so many people I can relate to now. Those people? i just couldn't relate to. Even before the baby.
My realest friends, like you and one other, helped me endlessly. You kept me together. I'll never forget our shopping sprees for clothes or when you came in the delivery room with me. That I will never forget. My other friends?... yeah, they left. but i'm glad. Don't need fake people like that in my circle. I'm glad I got them out early and on the way I have met so many people I can relate to now. Those people? i just couldn't relate to. Even before the baby.
How did you handle the dirty looks and constant staring?
Means nothing to me. Let those people judge. I'm happy. They can stereotype me and assume things all they want, I know that i'm happy and I don't need to prove that to anybody. I have a great family, friends, a beautiful baby, a high school diploma and I'm currently in college. Everything is fine
Means nothing to me. Let those people judge. I'm happy. They can stereotype me and assume things all they want, I know that i'm happy and I don't need to prove that to anybody. I have a great family, friends, a beautiful baby, a high school diploma and I'm currently in college. Everything is fine
What have been the major changes since Austin has been born?
Sleep definitely. High school was hardest because of how early I had to get up, I could never do it. I was late every day or I didn't go. The weekends I would sleep until 12. Now, getting up early is just an every day thing. I wake up earlier than Austin totally on my own terms. I like to plan out our day and clean, cook, etc. I'm a totally different person.
Sleep definitely. High school was hardest because of how early I had to get up, I could never do it. I was late every day or I didn't go. The weekends I would sleep until 12. Now, getting up early is just an every day thing. I wake up earlier than Austin totally on my own terms. I like to plan out our day and clean, cook, etc. I'm a totally different person.
What does a typical day look like for you now? Compared to before?
Everyday I went from sleeping late, rolling out of bed half alive, dragging myself to school sometimes and coming right home to just chill. Now, chill isn't even enjoyable for me. Every morning I wake up at least one hour before Austin. I clean, cook breakfast for the whole family, then get Austin ready. I take him out. parks, malls, anything. Just the two of us. I love it. then at night I put him to bed, my family watches over him of course, and I go to class.
Everyday I went from sleeping late, rolling out of bed half alive, dragging myself to school sometimes and coming right home to just chill. Now, chill isn't even enjoyable for me. Every morning I wake up at least one hour before Austin. I clean, cook breakfast for the whole family, then get Austin ready. I take him out. parks, malls, anything. Just the two of us. I love it. then at night I put him to bed, my family watches over him of course, and I go to class.
Do you openly tell people?
I never understood why young mom's sometimes don't tell people like they're ashamed. I get it, its different but, you chose this! I am not ashamed of my son at all. Never was. The first thing I tell people is that I am a mother.
I never understood why young mom's sometimes don't tell people like they're ashamed. I get it, its different but, you chose this! I am not ashamed of my son at all. Never was. The first thing I tell people is that I am a mother.
Though he is only a year old, have you developed any traditions so far that you will continue to do throughout his life?
I was never big on Christmas and celebrating it, I always viewed it as blown out of proportion. It's hard for me to be thankful for gifts because I never felt it was right to be receiving. But then i had Austin, and now i love it.
I was never big on Christmas and celebrating it, I always viewed it as blown out of proportion. It's hard for me to be thankful for gifts because I never felt it was right to be receiving. But then i had Austin, and now i love it.
What do you do for money? How do you support your son? How does his father?
I'm currently out of work right now since spend as much time with him as I can and i also attend college full time. Yes, his father does support him. Though he left, he keeps up financially. He works on a golf course right now and he also does some side work working on peoples lawns year round, like mowing, raking, shoveling, etc. That's the one hard part. Living constantly knowing his father will be absent for the most part.
I'm currently out of work right now since spend as much time with him as I can and i also attend college full time. Yes, his father does support him. Though he left, he keeps up financially. He works on a golf course right now and he also does some side work working on peoples lawns year round, like mowing, raking, shoveling, etc. That's the one hard part. Living constantly knowing his father will be absent for the most part.
Do you have any regrets?
I regret nothing. I'm so glad i have my Austin. I'm so glad I stayed in school and am going to college. I'm glad I didn't get caught up in the teen mom stigma that all we do is go out, because that was never me. I go out Austin comes with me.. I guess i regret not working harder to fix things with me and ****** (her boyfriend)
I regret nothing. I'm so glad i have my Austin. I'm so glad I stayed in school and am going to college. I'm glad I didn't get caught up in the teen mom stigma that all we do is go out, because that was never me. I go out Austin comes with me.. I guess i regret not working harder to fix things with me and ****** (her boyfriend)
What did you do to prepare for Austin?
It definitely took a lot of emotional preparation. I was scared. I didn't think I would be able to change my lifestyle to be a good mother. I took a lot of classes, on line and in person. I started reading. I read a lot of books. I asked a lot of questions. I left nothing too personal or off limits.
It definitely took a lot of emotional preparation. I was scared. I didn't think I would be able to change my lifestyle to be a good mother. I took a lot of classes, on line and in person. I started reading. I read a lot of books. I asked a lot of questions. I left nothing too personal or off limits.
Who did you get a worse reaction from? Kids and peers, or adults like teachers?
Adults by far. That was the hardest part about school, actually being taunted and bullied by teachers. Especially the gym teacher. Mr. Johnson. Leave his name in there. He made my life hell.
Adults by far. That was the hardest part about school, actually being taunted and bullied by teachers. Especially the gym teacher. Mr. Johnson. Leave his name in there. He made my life hell.
If you could give any advice to a pregnant teenager right now what would it be?
Really weigh out your options. That's what I did. Being a young mom is not easy. You need to take everything into consideration. family, school, continuing education, mental and physical health problems, your partner, who he is, his family. everything needs to be considered and if you think for even a second that you couldn't handle it or it would not be a good situation for your child, then you need to consider alternative options. Trust me, I'm not exactly the biggest supporter of abortion. Not against it, but i definitely look at it as a last resort. but if it's whats best for the child and for you, then yeah, sometimes its very necessary. Also think of how many people are dying to have kids and they physically can't, that would be such a blessing for them.. Honestly my main advice is just to think. Think a lot. Think every second. Think about everything, endlessly. Don't let your emotions get the better of you. you know what you can handle.
Really weigh out your options. That's what I did. Being a young mom is not easy. You need to take everything into consideration. family, school, continuing education, mental and physical health problems, your partner, who he is, his family. everything needs to be considered and if you think for even a second that you couldn't handle it or it would not be a good situation for your child, then you need to consider alternative options. Trust me, I'm not exactly the biggest supporter of abortion. Not against it, but i definitely look at it as a last resort. but if it's whats best for the child and for you, then yeah, sometimes its very necessary. Also think of how many people are dying to have kids and they physically can't, that would be such a blessing for them.. Honestly my main advice is just to think. Think a lot. Think every second. Think about everything, endlessly. Don't let your emotions get the better of you. you know what you can handle.