Being a teen mum

Being a teen mum. Here's me and my boy when he was about 8-10 weeks old. I was 18.

Having a baby as a teenager was challenging but not impossible I was fortunate to have a supportive family that enabled me to continue my education. I was lucky enough to have a college teacher who allowed me to bring him into class when he was asleep in his car seat so I could finish my course.

During my pregnancy I never attended antenatal classes - they were for married women in their 30's, or so I assumed. I wanted to avoid the eyerolls of others so never bothered. I was always conscious of disapproving eyes but that made me even more determined not to be that stereotype or statistic.

Being a pregnant teen did not mean my life was over or that my dreams could never be achieved. I've done everything I wanted (and still am), just in a non conventional order! It did not mean I would be a bad mum or that my child would grow up to be undisciplined or uneducated, far from. I will hopefully be able to watch him graduate from university later this year (pandemic permitting)

I wouldnt change a thing about having my son all those years ago and I hope that if there are any young people out there reading this that are expecting a baby, just remember the best is yet to come!

P.S Yes, I had lots of heartburn before anyone asks 🤣