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

My advice is STAY IN SCHOOL. I got pregnant at 20 as a junior in college. It was very difficult, parents didn't talk to me, had to get two side jobs, etc. I ended up taking night classes and working on the weekends so I could be with my daughter during the day. It all worked out. My parents fell in love with my daughter and it really changed my life for the better. I'm not sure how your school works, but I was able to get student loans for being a single mother. It is important to stay in school so you can support yourself and your child and be a good example for you child. Good luck!

Ignore all those who are trying to push you down- when someone is beating on you it is most helpful to remember they are mad about something in their own life (9 time out of 10) and instead of working on themselves- they tear someone else down. I wish you the best of luck with your pregancy and schooling- if you really want to make it through school, and be a great mommy I am positive that you have the ability, the heart, the mind, and the spirit to do so.

I was 20 when I got pregnant. My entire family lived in Michigan and I was in Kentucky. My boyfriend and I were both in our first semester of senior year in undergrad when I had her. Everyone tried to talk me into an abortion, but I decided that I couldn't go through with it. Neither one of us had a full time job. We were very worried. Once the baby came, everyone was supportive. I was able to finish undergrad on time. My boyfriend actually finished his degree a semester early. We both got our masters (I actually have two masters) and now I am working on my PhD with a 4 year old. We were able to buy a house when our daughter was 1. My boyfriend and I got married last year and our relationship is stronger than ever. Our closest family is about 5 hours away, so at times it can be challenging especially with my changing schedule. I still have to balance school, work, research, and parenting. I missed out on a lot of trips abroad (I had actually planned on going to grad school in the UK before I found out I was pregnant) and I don't hang out with my friends as much as I used to. I lost a lot of relationships after I had our daughter. I also had to give up a lot of things. The crazy thing is that I didn't mind. The trade off is nothing compared to the joy of being a parent. Since my little girl came into my life, I am happier than I have ever been. The point is that we I it. And I am sure that you can do it too, no matter how your family feels about the situation.

Good luck to you!

23 is not young to have a baby, congratulations and ignore jealous people!

Dont worry what people say! Its hard I will tell you that but you'll be just fine. I was 18 when I got pregnant, just graduated from high school and had just became a full time employ with a company. Things happened fast for me but, you know what I wouldn't change it for nothing in the world!!!

i was 22 when i had my son, it may seem scary but things have a way of working out. you can do it. there is help out there for pregnant woman i would deff get check into it. best wishes and stay strong, you will do fine

Not going to read through everything, so sorry if I missed something.

I just wanted to say that I was 22 when I had my son. I had also just lost my job shortly before I found out. It was around the time the economy started taking a nosedive, so between that and being pregnant, I had trouble finding and keeping jobs until after he was born. We're now doing rather well.

Hang in there, do what you can, and just worry about your own stuff. As it's commonly said "haters' gonna hate". Let those people be mad if they want. Find the people that are supportive and keep them around.

Also, if you're in the US, take a look into WIC (Women, Infants, and Children). It's an assistance program to help ensure low income mothers and babies get proper nutrition, so they'll help with things like formula, milk, diapers and other necessity items.

I had my first baby at 22.....as long as your supportive boyfriend is there for you and the baby....than be it....at least your going back to school and doing something for yourself.... Be happy and don’t listen to the others....

me and my husband have been together for almost 20 yrs and married for 16 yrs. we had our first child when i was 19 and our second when i was 21, we were married when i was 20 yrs old, we do not regret making the choices that we did, dont let anyone bring you down, as long as you and your bf are confident that you are making the right decision than everything will work out.

Being a "single" mom (of course not single, but unmarried) you can quailfy for LOTS of financial aid and pell grants, etc. in order to help with college costs. Granted you might not be able to do a full-time course load with a newborn/child, but there are lots of colleges that offer a part time alternative for getting your degree. Good luck! Hope this helps!

I think it all depends on the situation and financial abilities of those involved.

Keep your head on.

I was a single mother at 20 years old and had no job at the time, either. I had just finished up a vocational training program when I found out I was pregnant. My mother didn't approve, either, and expected me to give up my baby. One thing I had to accept was that this was my decision and only I would have to live with it, not my mother. Right now, your family is likely thinking they have your best interests at heart, but don't realize that they are really only thinking about their viewpoint. If you want to keep your baby - keep your baby and don't back down on that decision. If your family loves you and respects you, they'll come to accept your decision. Until that time, don't stress over their opinions.

Other advice:

1) Do NOT quit school! No matter what! Stay in school! You WILL regret giving up this opportunity due to pregnancy later - having this education can only help you be a better mother in the long run. Plus, you'll have to learn now how to balance your life with a child. You can't give up things every time just because you have a child, you've got to learn how to work with that responsibility.

2) Do NOT get married just because you're having a baby. Get married because you love each other, support each other, and want to spend the rest of your lives together. A lot of people make the mistake of "doing the responsible thing" and marrying just because of a baby - which is really unfair to all parties involved. You can be great parents without being married!

3) If you can, find a way to work together with the father of your baby in making this work out for the best. Go put some supplies on layaway (Kmart still has one!) - by some supplies I mean the essentials: a car seat, a crib, a crib mattress, four crib sheets, six burp cloths, a package of size one diapers, a set of bottles, one can of formula (You may want to breast feed, but sometimes it doesn't work out. Having an emergency can for your peace of mind can only help you relax and get into the process better.), and four or five outfits for the baby size 1 month and up. Commit to making small payments to the layaway every paycheck of about $30 AND buy a new package of diapers of the next size up - this will pay off your layaway in good time and also get you both used to about how much you'll be paying each pay period for your new baby. (It'll come to about $50 or more, depending on what you get.)

4) Plan ahead! Get your car seat installed BEFORE the baby is even due - a month out is fine. You can go to the fire station and they will help you to assure that your car seat is secure and that you know how to put it in. Practice putting your car seat in! Prepare a baby bag with basic supplies for you and the baby and put it in the car so that when you go to the hospital to have the baby it is already there. (You'll want one set of pajamas, one set of clothes for you and baby, a couple burp cloths, and a book or two to entertain yourself as well as basic toiletries like a toothbrush and hair brush. If you have long hair you'll want at least one hair tie. Most of your other needs the hospital will meet.) Consider everything! If you have a boy will you want them circumcised? How does daddy feel about it? Can you afford to pay for the procedure? (Some insurances do not cover it now!) Do you want to breast feed? If so, find a support group. Lactation consultants can be your best friend! Do you want to take classes for labor and delivery procedures? Do you need additional support, since your mother is not on board with this yet? Perhaps you could use a doula. Do you want to have pain medication? What if you have complications? Who do you want to be responsible for your baby in that situation? Write all these things out and make a set plan with the father. Knowing in advance how you feel will make the process easier and help you feel in control.

5) Stay healthy! A happy mother makes for a happy baby! Eat well, exercise, practice yoga, and try to stay as stress free as possible.

I was a single mother for nearly 5 years and I can tell you it wasn't always easy, but it was always worth it! If you want more tips or just want to talk feel free to add me!