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

I was 23 and my son is now 27. We didn't have much money at the time. We lived on lots of hand me down furniture, except his was all new. It was a struggle but we made it and he is wonderful.

I understand about trying to find a job, as employers will keep in the back of the mind that you will be out on maternity leave shortly after you start. You just have to find the right one or you may need to work part-time then find something after your child is born.

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.

You'll be fine. Even the hardest situations have a way of working themselves out. I'm 31 with 2 children and though I've never been through a similar scenario, kids have a way of teaching us lessons we never knew we needed. Congratulations and enjoy baby

I was 25 when I decided to go back to school. One month after I started classes I ended up getting pregnant! I was scared to death since I wasn't married and it was not part of my plan at all. But with lots of family/friends support I stayed in school and graduated with my B.A. in three years. It was actually easier with a child because priorities switched from partying to taking care of another person who was completely dependant on my choices. I then went on to get my Masters, and now 6 years later I recently stopped working again and just finished my first semester towards a PhD in Counseling!

It will not be easy, but something that always motivated me was knowing that my education would have a HUGE impact on what kind of life I could give my child. Plus, with the flexibility of classes you may actually get to spend more time at home with your little one in the first few years. You might see if your university has any online classes, which allowed me to continue for the semester I was due and the summer following having my daughter.

Keep your head up and always think about the fact that school is far from forever. You could have a degree before your child even goes to kindergarten! Just imagine the difference education could make in what jobs are available to you.

You will do great!

We had our daughter when I was 19, got married when I was 20, had our 1st son when I was 23 and just had our second son 8 weeks ago when I was 26 (turned 27 since then) Good luck!

I think that there is no optimal age for children. It is wonderful you are going to school and owning up to your responsibility of having a child. You can never plan that and it will never be a convenient time in life when you find out you are pregnant. The most important thing is that you are making a plan so that you can succeed and accomplish your dreams.

As far as unemployment goes. A child adds on a huge amount of bills. Do you have health insurance? If not... either way I recommend getting employment asap because you should be saving. It doesn't matter whether you are in school or not... money talks and you want a good home for your child to come into. You don't have to be rich but you need to be afloat. You can easily go to school and work at the same time. Especially now wow you've got the big count down.

I had my daughter at 16. I was in no position to raise a child, but I bucked up and did it anyway. Now she is a wonderful teenager and I am very proud of her.

My situation may not have been a story book fairy tale, but it is mine. I have a quote that I wrote that I tell people all of the time.

"Everybody has a story. It is not our job to put a label on that story book cover. It is our job to open it, read the words, and understand them. Then, and only then, you can choose to continue to be a part of their story or simply be a passing character in a chapter."

If people are going to choose to be haters, don't let them be a part of your story.

23 is not too young at all. I have friends that are just barely eighteen and mothers, and one that was a mother at sixteen (now seventeen) and another that is sixteen and going to be a mama in the next two weeks. Don't let people bash you!

I got pregnant at 18, had my daughter at 19.
At the time I worked part time at chickfila, so money was tight.
In the end everything has worked out and still continues too.

Don't worry, and congratulations!

I was in college and 2 weeks away from moving to Gainesville to finish out college on a free ride when I found out I was pregnant. I was 19 years old. I had my son at 20 years old. I am now 25 years old and I am still in school and I work. My life is busy but it is complete and full of love. My then boyfriend (now my husband) and I are doing really well. Our son is the most amazing part of our lives.

23 is NOT too young. There is no perfect age or scenario. It happens in a Higher Power's time, not ours. You will do great. Don't worry because everything works out just as it should every time. Worry will only make your pregnancy hell (I know this one from experience). Instead enjoy this time. Pregnancy is a beautiful thing (after the morning sickness LOL).

Feel free to friend me if you need support!

I was 16 years old when I had my first child(ren). I had twins, I am now 38 years old and my daughters are 21. I have successfully raised then without the help of their biological father! It was a struggle, but it can be done. They are fully functioning, responsible adults now. Both attending their 3rd year in a University and live independently as well. I am super proud of the women I have raised. I was also able to finish high school, went through vocational college and am currently woking on my BA. I have a great career and a wonderful husband! Having a child at 23 is not too young. Good luck on the best adventure you will ever embark on (motherhood)!!!!