Beating the Statistics- Welcome

I know I’m not the only teen mom out there, so this blog is going out to all of the young mothers. Let me introduce myself. My name is Kathie and I am 19 years old. I got pregnant at age 17 and gave birth when I was 18, so by doing the math my daughter is about a year and a half. Yes, that’s my sweet pea in the picture above when she was about 9 months.

I’m sure you all know, or will know soon, how uncomfortable it is to walk around with your belly popping out and wondering how many people may be judging you. No mater how many friends and family members may support you, there will always be complete strangers who will look your way with the most disgusting looks on their face. Even after you give birth, you will be questioned on your age. They know you’re young, obviously, but they’ll still ask to act surprised and tell you how young you are- as if you didn’t already know. It’s mostly the older generation that believes they have the right to make these comments when they know nothing about your life. Let me tell you though, those passive aggressive comments and judgments do not define who you are and never will.

Motherhood is not easy. It’s a different challenge everyday- the tears, the tantrums, the sleepless nights, and the stress from trying to balance taking care of a child, work, and school. But being able to watch your child grow, see their first gummy smile, hear that first cheerful giggle, and all the lovely memories that are yet to come makes it all worth it. The time passes by so quickly that you’ll go from having a tiny baby that you roll into a burrito to having a walking miniature person around the house. Enjoy every moment.

Everyone who has thrown judgment at you do not know the struggles you are going through, and if they do know then they have no business judging you. It’s much easier to have a child after you finish college and have your career set, which is why it is ideal to wait till your older. That’s not always the plan though- in my case, God’s plan, but I’m not here to throw religion at you. I am here to give out my story so you all know that you are not alone. Motherhood will take a lot of energy out of you. It’s okay to cry sometimes. You’ll get through it all. Finish college. Work to provide for your child. Most importantly, be there for your child. Play with them, teach them, feed them, show them your love. Take breaks if you have to. Just know that YOU will NOT be a statistic. Screw all of the judgments.

-K