Being bashed on for being 23 and pregnant!! :(

mom2fabfive

I am not a young mother and wasn't when I had my first one. ( I was 26) However, I just wanted to say that 23 isn't too young and there are benefits to having your children young. I think your body is better at withstanding the stress of carrying a baby. Believe me it was easier with my first at 26 than with my 5th at 37! Surround yourself with people who are supportive! I am sure that you will be a wonderful mother. Being a mom is the hardest job I have ever had but it is the most rewarding! Good luck and remember that every baby is a gift!

specialkyc

I was 19 when I had my first child. My circumstances weren't that great, but I had a little angel coming and had to become a resposible adult. She changed my life forever. If I had not had her, who knows where, or even worse, what I would be if I didn't have her. God put her in my life at the best time He could in order for me to become a better person. She's 13 now and I still thank God every day for her and my son. I now have a 5 month old and he also brings so much joy to my life. I couldn't imagine my life without my children...regardless of what age I was when I had them. Being a mommy is one of the greatest feelings one could ever experience.

Good luck and God bless!!

chocolateandpb

I just had another thought too--your body will snap back way faster and easier having a baby at 23 than at, say, 33. I have friends who've had kids in the 20's and again in their 30's, and they all say their pregnancies were SO much harder in their 30's compared to their 20's. Maybe it's my vanity that even thought to mention this (yes, it is my vanity, haha), but that's just another little bonus to being pregnant young, imho.

mexy04

So I recently just found out that I am pregnant. I do not believe in abortion, and I am for sure willing to own up to my responsiblity. My boyfriend is very supportive as well, although the thing is.. I recently just left my job to go back to school, it is hard finding another job these days. I know no matter what I will strive to be the best mom I can be, I may be very "young" to alot of people, but I would love to hear any stories from young mothers who are holding up strong with their child today, and who has made it. Please.. I need the support....


I'm worried about being unemployed.. my bf is working, I am going to a ROP program for school which is about a 6-8 month program for medical assisting / billing & coding, I cannot afford going to another school right now.. I hope I can make it, I know it will be a struggle but I also know it'll be worth it.

I don't think 23 is too young I think that is a prime age for baby makin. Your young and you can bounce back and still be successful in whatever you do. Shoot I'm 26 prolly won't be a mom til I'm 30 something and yet I still haven't committed to the thought of having a kid. I'm gonna be an old braud when I have a baby lol I would love to just don't have to the nerve to jump into it. And your right it is hard to find a good job these days. I wish you the best of luck and with your boyfriend you are going to love the joys of motherhood.

jennifer52484

23 is not too young. I think it is a perfect age. You will get through it.

FitLink

So I recently just found out that I am pregnant. I do not believe in abortion, and I am for sure willing to own up to my responsiblity. My boyfriend is very supportive as well, although the thing is.. I recently just left my job to go back to school, it is hard finding another job these days. I know no matter what I will strive to be the best mom I can be, I may be very "young" to alot of people, but I would love to hear any stories from young mothers who are holding up strong with their child today, and who has made it. Please.. I need the support.. Thank you mfp.

I think part of "owning up to your responsibility" is owning up to the fact that you are in school and unemployed. The BEST thing you could do for your child would be to give him/her up for adoption by a couple who are emotionally and financially prepared to be parents. THAT would be being the "best mom you can be" at this point in your life. Your child gets a secure future and loving parents who can't have a child otherwise become outstanding parents. Win/win.

PixEm

I had my son when I was 18 years old. He is now 12 (almost 13) and we are doing pretty good. I managed to obtain my Associates degree and will be finishing my Bachelors next May. There have been trying times but nothing you could not handle. Just make sure you lead by example and stay strong.

arisher

I was 23 when I gave birth to my son. He just turned 22 years old on Friday. I was a young mother and I totally enjoyed the experience. Looking back now I feel like I grew up with my son, we had so much fun. I was his parent first and foremost and then his friend. He just graduated college and I'm only 45 and enjoying life to the fullest. Remember to love your family, put them and God first and everything else will fall into place. I hope this helped, I wish you all the best:):)

twinmama1987

Its not unusual in my family. between 20-25 .. sometimes earlier or later. my sister is 17 and 29 wks pregnant. .. I was 21 when i had my twins .. they are 2.5 yrs old now.

knittnponder

I had my first when I was 23! She just turned 18 last month and I haven't regretted a moment! She's an amazing young woman and has been nothing but a blessing to me and her dad. I've know many much younger mothers than 23. Being at the other end of things I can tell you it's nice to have a kid old enough to manage things for herself when I'm only 40! She's my workout buddy and she watches her siblings all the time while her dad and I sneak out on dates or to go shopping. We have plenty of years left to do fun things together being in our early 40's.

katharineshalia

I had my daughter at 20 and she is now in college and fixing to spend the summer in England as an exchange student (doing great in other words). The nice thing about having a kid when you are young is that you can relate to them on so many levels and everything new they discover becomes new for you again.

And, I also have three more kids, the oldest of this group being four years old (soon to be five), take it from me, it's much easier when you are young because you are more inclined to go with the flow. With my babies today, well, sometimes I feel like I'm going to give myself a stroke I get so upset with them.

Anyway, either way, good luck.

greyt2bfit

I was 17 - now I'm nearing retirement, 3 great kids, 5 wonderful grandkids, and managed to get baccalaureate and master's degrees along the way. Forget the naysayers, you can do it!

Jhillian

I was 18 with my first. I'm 23 and turning 24 in June and now I have 3. I wouldn't have changed it for the world. Being young I think helped me to be open minded when it came to parenting. Some things older parents can't understand. I have been with my partner 7 years and hoping to get married in the near future. I don't regret a thing! You'll be just fine. Goodluck with everything and heres to a healthy pregnancy and labour. There is no such thing as a "perfect" time to have children no one is ever "ready"!!!

quixotic84

Ugh... people are just plain cruel! My step-mom was 15 when she got pregnant with my step-sister. My step-mom turned out fine - a certified dental assistant. And her kid had a kid young too, at 17, and is also doing just fine. My biological sister was also young when she had her first kid and both she and the child are doing great! There is a terrible stigma about young mothers, but hey - at least you're an adult so you have legal rights over the baby! Seriously though, it has nothing to do with age and everything to do with your ability to parent!

luhluhlaura

Personally, I think 23 is young, but only because I don't want to have children, so getting pregnant scares me in general.

That said, I don't think it matters what age you are or what your financial status is!! Someone could be a great mom at 20, or a horrible mom at 30. Just do your best to support your child--mentally, physically, financially, and emotionally.

tenikb02

I was 21 when I had my daughter. Oh and let me say, this happened in my 2nd year of University. I thought it was the end of my life but it just changed for the better. I have a very supportive family so it made it a lot easier to cope with. As long as you are determined to meet your goals no one can say anything to you. I went back to school and completed an Associates Degree in January. I am also on my way to my Bachelor's Degree in the Fall. I was told that I wouldn't complete school but that is a joke! My daughter is turning 4 and I couldn't be happier with my decision or my life. It has been a LOOOOOOONG and difficult journey but she has been worth every minute of it.

You can and will do it! Best of Luck:flowerforyou:

Congratulations.

healthymom76

I just want to say thank you so much for giving this child a chance!!!!! That is what will be most important to this child. The child won't care how old you were when you had Him/her What they will know when they grow up is that Mommy loved them enough to give them a chance at life. Yes it might be hard ( I should know my husband and I have 6 children on 1 income) But honestly the kids don't care about "things" all they really need and want is your love and understanding! I am SURE you will be a GREAT MOM. You have already proved how much you love your child by having them. Good luck and remember to enjoy your child!!

goforkissy

I turned 24 just 2 days after my son was born. He is 13 now. His dad left when he was only 9 months old and never looked back. I raised my son by myself for 12 years. (Found an amazing man last year!) I am so proud not only of my son, but of myself for being able to do it on my own. Good luck with your pregnancy!!

horseloverdawn

Dear Miss Lauren,
I was 19 when my first child was born. I had two kids with one on the way when I was 23. My kids are all grown now and have kids of their own. I'm so happy to see a young woman ready to take on the role of mom instead of the alternative...you will never regret being a mom! I have been married 30 years this year and I am still young enough to enjoy life with grandchildren and my adult children. You can do this! Best wishes and keep us posted!

Janiot

I had my children at 32 and 38 - believe me being 53yrs old with a 15 year old is not fun!!
Enjoy being a "young" healthy Mum - you have your whole life ahead of you!!

squishysangel

the thing is, i am unemployed now.. but JUST started going back to school. I am scared I won't make it but I know I would NEVER go through abortion.

So then that is one of the best times to be pregnant...you are bettering yourself before the baby arrives....and, depending on what you were doing before, its probably going to be alot healthier for you and the littleone...lots of schools will work around due dates and such when it comes time for finals and such....don't let anyone get you down girl...congrats on the new addition

JessiC1984

23's not so young.
About having just gone back to school, my husband had a student last fall who was a few months away from her due date, she only missed three days of class when she gave birth.

harleygaljojo

I was married at 18 had our first child when I was 20 and second child 4 years later. We have been married almost 43 years.
One good thing about having your children when you are young is when they grow up you are still young enough to enjoy your lives
together and have time to do thing you could not do while raising your children. I wish you well with your pregnancy and a long and happy life with you mate.

chilli

Lord no, 23 is a good age. I married at 18 and had my first at 22, 2nd at ,24 then third at 33. I feel that for me my twenties were a far better time to have them than my 30's. The younger you are when you have them the younger you'll be and have more energy to enjoy the eventual grandkids ........and age doesn't matter as to whether you are a good Mum or not.

kimad

Congrats,
I don't think 23 is too young, I was 24 when I conceived (twins!) and 25 when I delivered.
All you can do is your best and don't let anyone talk you down. You two will be fabulous parents.

I went back to school when my kids were 8 months old. I am now a single mother for the last 1.5 years (kids are now 6.5), and truly, you can do anything you set your mind too so just remember that

Good luck!!

serena569

I was 23. My mom said I was too young so I reminded her she had 3 by the time she was 22. In hindsight, I would have waited longer but that doesn't make my decision wrong. And it won't make yours wrong.

katharineshalia

So I recently just found out that I am pregnant. I do not believe in abortion, and I am for sure willing to own up to my responsiblity. My boyfriend is very supportive as well, although the thing is.. I recently just left my job to go back to school, it is hard finding another job these days. I know no matter what I will strive to be the best mom I can be, I may be very "young" to alot of people, but I would love to hear any stories from young mothers who are holding up strong with their child today, and who has made it. Please.. I need the support.. Thank you mfp.

I think part of "owning up to your responsibility" is owning up to the fact that you are in school and unemployed. The BEST thing you could do for your child would be to give him/her up for adoption by a couple who are emotionally and financially prepared to be parents. THAT would be being the "best mom you can be" at this point in your life. Your child gets a secure future and loving parents who can't have a child otherwise become outstanding parents. Win/win.

dirtbikegirl5

I also have a very hard time with people bashing you for being pregnant at 23. Oh, yeah, I forgot that they must be perfect. I was married, owned a home and had my first child at 20. Things did not work out with the man I was married to but we were together for 17 years and had 4 children together.
Your baby is here at the right time. If you and your boyfriend are supportive of each other, you will be fine.
Take care and don't listen to those who are not supportive of you.

wifeyy

I was 19 when i had my first daughter. i had another one at the age of 27. you will do well. NO ABORTION PLEASE, you will regret for the rest of your life when you do that.

GURLEY_GIRL3

HAD MY FIRST CHILD AT 18..NOT IDEAL..BUT I WOULDNT TRADE FOR ANYTHING. IF YOU REALLY WANT SOMETHING IN LIFE ITS HARD WORK BUT YOU CAN DO IT!! BEING A MOTHER IS THE GREATEST THING IN THE WORLD