age/ young mothers.

[gatorgrl12]

So please don't take this wrong. We are all young! But I am seeing more and more very young mothers or preggers. And just want to now how it makes everyone feel. My sisters entire class seems pregnant. 15-17 years of age. I know age doesn't define the type of mother you are! I was 16 and pregnant and am now 22 with my 3rd on the way. But I'm established and been married since my first. I get a lot of negative looks comments ex ex. But even I sometimes look at these girls who look fresh out of middle school and want to just hug them up cause their just looking so young.  I am terrified because I want the best for my own daughter! But would never turn her away if she came to me with a baby issue and would never push abortion or anything its her choice! But guess I just wanted to know how it made everyone feel even you super young mommas how are you feeling. I know I was so lost and alone at 16.

[ShellyLette]

I agree a lot of teenaged pregnancies have to do with the parenting but I also feel they blame can't be put 100% on that child's parents. It is taught in most schools about safe sex. When I was in middle school there were sex ed classes, as well as high school. Also with all the media on the subject(like the shows teen mom and 16&pregnant) it should be obvious the consequences of having sex. Some want this however, for wanting to get their babydaddy on lock, to get outta school early, live off government, whatever reason it may be. Like for example a 16 year old I know is pregnant.. her mother houses all 3 of her children in a very small 2 bedroom home. All but the 16 year old are grown with babies also living there. The brother has a daughter. The sister has three children. The brother actually works however he is trying to help his mom out as she is disabled and can't work. The sister smokes pot literally 24/7. She has no desire to work, much rather live off the gov and her momma. Seeing this growing up and being forced to babysit her nieces and nephews, the 16 year old should have known it would be better to wait it out. She has failed a few grades and is still in middle school. She will have to go through all of hs with a baby. However, knowing her mom wouldn't kick her out considering her siblings situations, why would she care about her actions? And I know I'm a young mom, I'm really not judging any (except the ones who don't step up..!) mother out there. But Im doing my best to make the necessary sacrifices to better my child's future. No I don't have a college degree but I knkw I will work hard on getting one. Yes I'm currently not working but I have a decent job I will be going back to just so my lil girl can better be provided for. I didn't stop working til I was told I couldn't while pregnant even though it was kicking my ***. I felt like **** all the time. But I knew there was no way my boyfriend would be able to buy everything our lil one needs alone. We needed both our incomes. Yes we are struggling a lil bit since I can't work right now.. but we as parents will do whatever necessary to provide the best future we can make for our children. And I believe that's all you can really expect from a parent, whether young or not.

[Shirano]

I personally think all young women should hp be taught the values of hard work. Then if something does happen and they are pregnant they can take care of themselves and their child. Also young men should be taught the values of raising the child they create, if they make the baby they should help raise it as well, even if they don't stay with the mother. And this idea of missing out on life because of having a child young is bull. Being irresponsible and going out partying getting drink and what not is that great f an experience, there are so much more important things n life. Having a child doesn't mean you can't finish school or get a good job, it just adds another challenge to the mix. I think people need to stop encouraging young people to be mature as long as you can, live it up until you have to grow up and encourage them to grow up. Back in the day when people got married and had a lot of kids young, they were way more mature then most people in their mid twenties. They grew up and knew how to work to have a good life. We need more of that in our culture again. Not necessarily having kids at super young ages but growing up and not staying a child as long as possible.

[Kate037]

late to the party but throwing my cents in anyways. I flip flip so much on topic of teen moms. Some of the greatest mothers I've ever met had their kids young, and when I stop to think about it, it's really a lot more common place then we think, and always has  been. My grandmother was married off at the age of 12, and started popping kids out at 13, (she went on to have 19 kids by the time she was 25) that was just the culture back then. It was cheap labor, you birth all your farmhands. I think some of that thinking trickles down to this generation as well. Not the farmhand thinking, but having kids young. As little girls didn't we (mostly) dream about marrying a prince and having a family? We weren't thinking about waiting until we were in our twenties, we were thinking about finding Charming  as soon as we could!
I don't think sex ed. (or lack thereof) can be blamed nowadays. Maybe it's different in your areas but here we learn about is as early as sixth grade, so age 11-12. I do think it has to do with contraception though. It's embarrassing to go buy condoms! Even when you're 22 and married! It's like a little voice in the back of your head saying 'oh yeah, this cashier totally knows what I'm headed home to do' it's even worse as a teen when you think they'll say something (or even.worse, when they do say something)
I have a lot of respect for the teen moms that graduate school and get jobs with a baby, but it grinds my gears to see them just sit around and do nothing all day but take care of baby with the governments, or mom and dads money. It's one thing to have a baby, it's a total different thing to be a mother.

[metalmum]

I cant remember who said it.. i know this is a support site. Im judging so by all means judge me. But up to the age of 16 here in australia you are under your parents wing. If you get pregnant at the age of 12? Where the feck are the parents responsabilities?   Oooh i cant controll my wild child. WRONG! YOU ARE AT FAULT.
I beleive this to be true untill the age of 16. OR. Depending on the mental maturity of the child. I say child cos not all at that age are to be considered a teenager.
Im sorry to post this i know alot of mums are young here im 21myself. I consider myself to be young mum.
Im **** scared of what is happening i feel sorry for thoes who dont know whats fully happening because they havnt been parented well.
Live up to your full potential. Be the best you can be for you and your babies.
I fully support every mum who wants the best for their baby. :) keep safe

[bubnumber1]

My mum had her first at 16 while in high school, her mum had her at the same age.. I'll be 19 when our little one is here. My partner and I have been together 5 years, we are engaged, we live in our own home, pay our own bills and own our own car, and we both are senior graduates and have steady jobs. I know I am very lucky and thank god every day for blessing me with such good fortune in my life.. I wish everyone was so well supported and established before believing it is the right time to have a baby. Accidents do happen but they seem to happen more and more each day. Im 30 weeks pregnant and live in Australia and I look older than 19 so I am not looked upon badly as unfortunately some of you ladies have said has occurred where you are from, and I know at least 20 other young ladies of the same age as me in the small place I live in who have had babies in the last year or two. I suppose it is just becoming the norm.. Seeing very young girls with babies it upsets me because you just don't know if they have the support they need.. In my situation we are ready for a baby and very capable and I know I'm not alone, but these young girls you see, you never know what their story is or if they have what they need to create a stable environment for themselves, let alone a tiny baby. It is frightening..

[mizy_g]

I turned 18 in December but i was already pregnant by im birthday. this was so unplanned for me but im about to graduate and get into school to work at insurance company's. i also have my bd with me and he supports me all the. way. I feel like i have my life together im about to be living with my boyfriend in a month and everything. but i do get nasty looks since i look like im 16. i just don't let it gt to me. but it is sad to see babies having babies. my little brother had his kid when he was 15 and she was 14. His girlfriend went her last year of middle school being pregnant and non of the girls liked her since she was new there. My niece is one year old already but my parents helped them in everything the baby needed till this day. It is hard seeing them struggle moving from her house to mines having to ask for money when diapers are needed. neither of them are going to school now. but my brothers girls friend is such a good mother. she's always with my niece never goes out to party or thinks about it. and my little brother finally got a job.  he is buying everything for his daughter and they never leave her alone. i wish they did go to school tho because its a struggle with out education but i guess school wasn't made for them. i guess each families are different. I just wishes they lived there lives a little better and got to experience things without having to think oh i have my baby i can't do that. Unlike me i lived my life in a good way. i went out parties and got into trouble but now its over.