Living with Teen Pregnancy

My name is Brittney. I was 15 years old when I got pregnant. It was the summer after my freshman year of highschool. After only being with my boyfriend for a month or so, we decided to have sex. It only took one time. I didn’t have my period for the next nine months.

I was lucky to have the support of my mother and the baby’s father. The pregnancy couldn’t have come at a better time. I honestly believe it was fate that I got pregnant. It motivated me, kept me pushing towards my goals. I ended up graduating from high school a year early, as the Valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. My daughter Hayden, who was 14 months old at the time, was cheering me on at my High School Graduation.

I left her father shortly after, as he didn’t care for her, or me. I worked two full-time jobs, as well as attended college as a Paralegal student. I lived on my own from the time I was 16 and took care of myself and my child. It’s hard, yes. But becoming a mother at any age is difficult.

Don’t let people tell you it’s harder just because you’re young. Look at all the unemployed adults out there. Look at the alcoholic mothers who neglect their children. Look at the adult parents who live off of welfare checks.

Be thankful that you got pregnant at a young age. Be thankful that you have that many more years to spend with your child in this life! Be thankful that you’re still in your youth and have the energy and determination to be the best parent you can be. Be thankful that your body created this wonderful little miracle, and that you’re blessed with the opportunity to raise him or her.
And don’t worry about what others may think about you. Don’t let others look down upon you, or be ashamed and embarrassed of you. Show everyone that they’re wrong and that teen parents are as able to care for a child as anyone else. No one ever said there is a certain age you must be to love a baby, right?