[brieanniepannie]

Okay so I am almost 23 years old. Not old, but not young either.
no im not married but i do live with my boyfriend of 1 1/2 years.
I intended to get pregnant at a younger age... i didnt want to be so old that a)i have health problems or b) i couldnt relate to them (like my parents are with me).
I am clean cut (well aside from my swearing, ) I dont drink, dont do drugs, I don't dress sexily...
So why is it that because I am younger I am a terrible mom?!
I was going to take a urine test for preemployment drug screens a few weeks ago and this guy was staring at me (I had Mikael with me) and he was like, how old? I told him how old mikael was. and he was like no, i meant you. I said oh, I'm 22. He snorted and was like "wow people are poppin' out babies younger and younger... you are barely old enough to take care of yourself". I was like WTH i was dumbfounded. I didn't say anything I was just like ok...
My parents also make comments about how disappointing it is that I am a young mom (they didnt know of my intentions, not that it is any of their business anyway). They actually asked my brother to ask me if I wanted a mothers day card. Um, what? I dont care but dont ASK me if i want a card. That's really lame.
Yes, I am young. Yes I do stupid things. Yes I miss being able to go out and just have a good time.
But at the same time I wouldn't trade motherhood for the world. I love being a mom at 22. I know that kids are having babies younger and younger but a lot of them are having them as a "fashion accessory" around here in WA... but I didn't. I love my son so much and I plan on having more soon.
My son is well fed, well groomed (nails are always clipped, hair is always combed) and well dressed (I am always buying him new clothes---polo shirts, jeans... my little preppy baby). I play with him, cuddle him, love him, and take him EVERYWHERE I go. So how in the heck does that make me a terrible mom???
I am SO SICK OF THE DIRTY LOOKS! I dont care what you think people. You think that glaring at me or telling me what a bad mom I am for being rather young will make me say, "oh, well, in that case, let me shove him back in?" haha no.
Sorry for rambling, I am just sick of the stigma that goes along with being a young mom.

[JeanLynn81]

Well thats not just common for young moms...its ALL moms.

People are always going to be trying to tell you how to raise your child. Its annoying, I know!

At least you look young. It'll be a good thing later!

Just learn to ignore nosy people who can't mind their own business.

And if you need some good comebacks, go to Valerie. She has some good ones!

[purelegance]

preach it! i had a woman at work today tell me how horrible it is to be married young, have a child young and/or "depend on a man", you need to have your own career so that when he leaves you can fend for yourself. OK, i see where she's coming from, however i told her "well, i was married young, i have an 8 month old daughter and my husband is the main breadwinner in our home. you can't go into marriage expecting divorce. College wasn't for me, but motherhood is." she couldn't believe i said those things. but frankly, her granddaughter is getting engaged tonight, she needs better views on things.

granted, i got where she was coming from with the whole "don't be dependant on a man" thing, but SERIOUSLY!

just wanted to add- aren't we having children later now than ever?

[jkl123]

I absolutely hear what you're saying... I had my 1st child at 18 and got all that BS then... even now, at 31, I hear often "WoW! You don't seem old enough to have a 12 year old!!" Gggrrr!!

From a completely scientific outlook, a woman's body is made to bear children young... that is why menstuation starts so early, and why it is easier (generally) to get pregnant when you are young. You body can handle it. Things start to slip in your 30s and it becomes more difficult to achieve pregnancy. Our society stresses sooooo much to get out there and have a career, and then wait to have kids. Problem is, for many, that "fertile" has come and gone by the time they are "ready".

I am with you... glad I had my kids young and wouldn't change it for the world!!

[KR258]

I am amazed at the comments some give about when it's best to become a parent or even those few who say no one should have children (how the heck is that a good thing) It's good people care but they should keep their "caring" words for those who don't yet have children and who are related to them. What good does it do to tell the teen who's already pregnant that she's too young to have a baby.

I wanted to have a baby around 20. I wasn't married at 20 though so we waited...I became pregnant 4 months before we got married. I was 22 when I got pregnant and 23 when I gave birth. Now I get comments like "oh how far along are you?" and "when are you due?" and....I'm not pregnant!!!

[oweirdo]

I still get them too!! Your not even 30 and have 4 kids, well in a few weeks will have 4. Dont you know what does that ....I was barely 19 when I had Katlyn, but I dont regret having a baby, getting married. As long as your happy with your life FORGET them!!

[LeanyBean]

Wow Ollie I couldn't've said it better myself. Right down to the 4 kids by the time either of us are 30.

[MissyChrissy]

(((HUGS))) I'd just ignore them. No matter how old you are, people are going to pass judgment. Live to make yourself happy-that's all you can do.

I had 3 by the time I was 23.

[floresazules]

I think you are a great Mom and you need to ignore all the unwanted coments people on the street sometimes make, people are always going to say something, She is to young, to old, to may kids, is hard to make everyone happy, the most important thing is that you and your baby are happy. I know what you mean, I had my dauther when I was 16 and I still get those coments, but now I feel good when people say we look like sisters.
Here is my baby now.

[DivasMomma]

I had my 2 by 22!!!

first was unplanned 2nd was planned, and YES I WANT MORE!!!!

I get the same looks, same pity (which i dont need thanks) and i ALWAYS get the "your marriage wont last your just too young! Well FU!!!!

Dont worry about other people...thats hard to do, but just look at your lil man and wonder how THEIR kids turned out