Not Alone

Ten years ago when I became a teen mother, I felt alone, ashamed, shunned from society. Not that I had to go out there and tell the world that I was expecting, any way you look at it being pregnant at 15 is probably not the best thing that can happen to a girl. However, because being pregnant as a teenager is so incredibly overwhelming, there should be more support, there should be more education, and there should be more resources to help guide young mothers. Ten years later, I believe many organizations have made great strides in making sure young parents have a support system.

Take The PushBack for example, allowing us young mothers and former teen mothers to voice our opinions and share our experiences. How great would it have been for me to have had this kind of support when I was navigating high school, being teased and ridiculed by classmates and feeling alone and discouraged. The impact a community has a on a young girl is powerful. Knowing you’re not alone in your unique situation is helpful, and for some people it can be life changing. As I continue to get involved in this field, wanting to help other young mothers I have come across some great resources and I feel so proud and excited to know that these people are taking things to a new level. They understand that help and support is needed and ignore the criticism that comes from those who believe that talking about teen parents and teen pregnancies condones it. Some of my favorite bloggers are actually contributers to the PushBack. They’re absolutely AMAZING!

Have you heard of The Young Mommy Life? You have to check out this blog. The advice, the conversation, and the support you get from this community is so helpful!

Text4Baby: this is actually a pretty cool site. You subscribe (for free!) to this service which guides you through your pregnancy and then through the baby’s first year. You get texts about “what to expect when you’re expecting” or simply the stage of life your child is going through. Talk about cool!

The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy: Although they have their own agenda, there are some great resources on this page that I have found quite helpful. Especially when it comes to education on sexual issues.

The National Crittenton Foundation: National Crittenton fights for girls – for improving their lives and for making sure that we all have a voice. They newly redesigned site allows you to meet the girls they have helped, and keeps you up to date into the different achievements they have made, especially in Capitol Hill!

These are some of my favorite sites to visit and comment from. Do you have any other resources? Remember, you’re not alone, there are people who care and understand what you’re going through. Take advantage of it ☺ I know I am!