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

When I found out I was pregnant, I was 20 and had dropped out of college because I was an alcoholic. I had just left my job and the baby's father worked at a pizza place. We had several thousand dollars in debt, only one car, and only one part time job between the two of us... We sold drugs to put food on the table even. We had nothing but each other, and we had a lot of hard times, but we worked hard to turn things around and it all paid off.

Now, I have a happy, very polite, smart, and beautiful little three year old. Her father and I are great friends even though we are getting a divorce now (whoda thunk our situation wouldn't have fostered a healthy marriage long term haha). Substance abuse is no longer an issue. Debt is gone. I have a full time job and a side business of my own, in addition to going back to school... Life is GOOD.

It doesn't matter how old you are, just that you step up and do what you need to do for your family.

Google CHIP if you are afraid of being able to take care of your child. If you are going back to school you probably qualify for a school health insurance plan.

keep your head up and you will be fine. I can't believe how immature your family is being. Even if they don't support your decisions, they should support YOU.

Keep your chin up honey!! I got pregnant at 15 and I as well, don't believe in abortion. I had my third child by the time I was 22. I had alot of support from the dad and my family and friends. The father and I married before my second child was born and we were married for 10 years. We have been divorced 4 years now. Life is a constant struggle no matter what your circumstances are. Everyone on this earth fights their own battles. As long as you have faith in yourself and the confidence that you will make it through...it will happen!! If you ever need someone to talk to or need any kind of emotional support...you can contact me anytime. My email is sbrockway78@yahoo.com. Being a mom is the greatest gift in the world, and it should be treated as such!! My kids are healthy and happy and they are greatest thing that ever happened to me. It was exactly the plan I had thought about in my dreams...but God had different plans for me. Have faith!!

I got pregnant and had my baby 1 month after graduating from XRay school. Don't let anyone discourage you, do what's best your for you and the future of your child. My parents were angry and hurt at first, but my daughter is their life now!!! Keep your head up and be patient with them.

I was 18, fresh out of high school, set to go off to Trade school when I found out I was pregnant (mind you, I used two forms of birth control!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

I continued on to Trade School but a year later. Had some medical problems though (thanks to being misdiagnosed) but had a healthy baby girl (9lbs 7.5oz almost 22in long!), returned to work four months later (due to the medical problems)...

The father of my daughter decided he didnt want the responsibility any more, tried to get custody - but he failed MISERABLY... and instead hurt himself badly in the court's eyes.

I worked, finished school AND was a full time mom. My mother did help out, but later that relationship dissolved over some really serious drinking issues that came about around the time my daughter was about 8 months old...I didnt want to deal with anymore (or have my daughter witness either)...

Her dad kept trying to make hell for me in court, but he kept making himself look bad continuously.

Met a guy, married him, we divorced a year later (that adulterous nitwit)... met another guy who came knocking on my door, who fell in love with me and willingly accepted the role of Dad to my daughter.

Work was a little difficult from time to time, had four layoffs within a 6 year time frame (UGH) that was horrendous.... to think, I was going into the medical field?!?!?!?!?

Fastforward to today: My daughter will be 19 this June, the man that Im with, we have been together for 13 years, three of which we have been married... our anniversary is coming up actually.

It was rough - but, in the end, every battle I had, I became stronger. And it angered her father even more, especially now where he also had to deal with a 6'6" tall 295lb guy who answered the door! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!

I wont lie... its hard... but, it can be done..... requires alot of time that you no longer have, you make alot of sacrifices and you have to be willing to accept those sacrifices...

chin up... this is coming from a woman who did it all alone for the first 6-7 years of motherhood!

now I have an almost 19 yr old who is ready to go to college in the fall for Criminal Law as her major... I must have done something right?!?!?! LOL!!!

When I found out I was pregnant, I was 20 and had dropped out of college because I was an alcoholic. I had just left my job and the baby's father worked at a pizza place. We had several thousand dollars in debt, only one car, and only one part time job between the two of us... We sold drugs to put food on the table even. We had nothing but each other, and we had a lot of hard times, but we worked hard to turn things around and it all paid off.

Now, I have a happy, very polite, smart, and beautiful little three year old. Her father and I are great friends even though we are getting a divorce now (whoda thunk our situation wouldn't have fostered a healthy marriage long term haha). Substance abuse is no longer an issue. Debt is gone. I have a full time job and a side business of my own, in addition to going back to school... Life is GOOD.

It doesn't matter how old you are, just that you step up and do what you need to do for your family.

Wow what a great story. And you are right, age does not matter more than responsibility. Good for you going to school to make your life better.

Ditto to the above. I got my first child at 18 (she was 2 1/2 - long story). She's 26 now and freaking awesome and well adjusted too!! She's back at school to be an architect

I got pregnant with my daughter a year after I graduated from college. I was 22. Her father and I were together for about 8 years. I also had a son with him 3 years after my daughter was born. 10 years later, I am now a single parent but their father is still very involved in his children's lives. He doesn't support the kids much financially but thankfully I earn a decent salary that makes up for it. I know the circumstances are not exactly the same, it may be better or worse depending on how you look at it. The point is that when there is a will you will always find a way. Hold onto any support that you can find and think through all your choices and options to find the best solution for your predicament. Look for opportunities that cater to young mothers and make the most of them. There is plenty of help out there if you look hard. I'm sure your parents will come around eventually, especially when they see their beautiful grand child. I wish you all the best and hope you'll be strong.

I had a sister who got pregnant at 14. She now runs her own gaphic arts company and has 4 other kids. If you have the will, and a supportive BF/spouse, nothing can hold you back. Good luck!

My mom had me the month before her 21st birthday. In fact just about every women asside from my aunt and myself have had children before the age of 23.

My parents do very well for my sister and I but it was a struggle at first. We lived on $15,000 a year for a family of four while my dad was a full time college student and full time at work. My grandparents have essentially disowned us so if your family doesn't come to terms with it, than I say they really have their priorities mixed up.

You got pregnant by your BOYFRIEND not a one night stang.

Anyway it can be done and I think you will be able to raise your baby just fine.