Category Archives: Young Parent Voices
Emergency Contraception Will Be Available Over the Counter!
Yes! It’s true! Emergency contraception, also known as Plan B or the morning-after pill, are going to be available over the counter!
What is emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception is backup plan that helps prevent pregnancy from happening after unprotected sex or birth control failure. It contains levonorgestrel, the same ingredient used in many birth control pills but you only need one pill!
When can you use emergency contraception?
You can use it within 72 hours after sex, but works better if you take it as soon as possible.
Can only girls buy emergency contraception?
Nope! Guys can also buy emergency contraception.
How much does emergency contraception cost?
It depends on which one you want but if you choose Plan B, you can get it at the pharmacy for $30-$60 or at Planned Parenthood for up to $35. If you want to save $10, you can download this coupon! Some family planning clinics offer free emergency contraception too.
Looking for more information on emergency contraception, the types available, and how to use it? Check out Bedsider for comparisons, stories, and details.
My Daughter is the Love of My Life
Life is something that I live everyday, but I would never thought that I would be a mother at an early age. I go by the name Keda but my real name is Makeda. I have lived in Boston for the past 10 years. Just last year I graduated high school with a human being growing inside of me! I was the happiest woman in the world when I saw how determined I was to get my high school diploma.
On September 13th, 2012, my life changed; I became a young mother. On this day, I met my blessing and named her Makaela Syvive. The first day I met the loml (love of my life) words couldn’t explain how I felt; all could say is thank you God she’s finally here…
My Life Has Just Begun…
I’m Learning Not to Look Back
My name is Anny and I am a mom, a wife, a student, and an employee. I got pregnant at 15 years old and decided to keep my child. Being a young mother has been the hardest job I’ve ever done. I’ve had to learn responsibility, priorities, and hard work. It hasn’t been easy both physically and mentally.
I sometimes find myself wondering the “what if…”, then I remind myself that there’s no turning back and that my child is irreplaceable. In my worst times my child reassured me with a smile a kiss or a mommy lub chu. I love him and everything that may come with him I’m just learning to not look back.
I Love My Family
Hi Everyone!! My name is Cora-Lee, I am 20 years old. My birthday is March 16, so I’m a Pisces!! I have a 7 month old daughter, and her name is Sophia. She is a huge blessing to me!
I’m married to my high school sweetheart we’ve been together since I was 15 years old, and got married march 18 and I was 18 years old! I became pregnant with my daughter when I was 19 years old and it was such an exciting time! I was judged a lot for getting married and having a baby a year later, but it was the best decision I made because I love my family and wouldn’t trade them for the world! I’m currently in high school and attend an all girl school that allows me to bring my child, which is awesome.
I think it’s great I can share my experiences with young mothers that have similar or non-similar lives. As a young parent ambassador I’m here to lend out any support and help at any time!!!
My Life Has More Meaning
My name is Tarialis Garcia and I am a 21 year old Dominican mother. I gave birth to my now one-year-old daughter, Lily. I am currently attending the University of Massachusetts Boston as a transfer sophomore student. I work at Brigham and Women’s Hospital as a Young Parent Ambassador.
Juggling life as a mother is hard but surprisingly I have it all under control. Trying to be independent, a mother, a full time student, having a job, and being in a relationship is a lot of work. My road to success will not be easy but I am determined to go through it all to accomplish my dreams and goals in order to make myself happy.
I thought it would be impossible to continue pursuing my dreams after being a young parent. The negative media, the stereotypes, and the lack of knowledge towards the subject of a young parent made me feel that way. I was assured by many that my life would be over after my daughter. Funny part of it all is that without my daughter I would have not made it this far.
My daughter gave me strength that I did not know I had. I broke out of the shell that I hid behind before Lily was born. My life would have been completely different without her, but not in the way media has made it out to believe. Lily has influenced me into being a stronger woman. My life is not ruined because I got pregnant at a young age instead it has more of a meaning. I have broken out of all the social norms that we young parents face and throughout my blogs I will be able to prove it.
Tarialis is a participant of the Young Parent Ambassador Program at the Center for Community Health and Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
I am Amazing and I am a Mother
Mmhh where do I start? I mean… besides the fact that I’m totally amazing! Lol 
But for real, I feel like I’m an amazing person for all I have accomplished in my life and all that I have put up with. I’m a high school graduate, class of 2012, I am employed, I’m a young parent advocate, and most importantly I am a mother to an amazing two year old lil boy named Xavier.
Notice how I put being a mother last. This is not because I am not proud, it is because motherhood is not the only thing that defines me. I am so proud of being Xavier’s mother and wouldn’t change it for the world, but I am more then just a mother and I strive everyday for that not to be my only title.
Becoming a mother has led me to many great and wonderful things, Xavier has really been my motivation. As some people seeing having a child young as a life killer, I see my son as a life saver! Without my son I would not have been this amazing person that I am today, I would probably be still smoking weed everyday and not wanting to do anything for my life. So like I said before, I am amazing and that’s because I am a mother to a amazing lil boy named Xavier!
Jasmin is a participant of the Young Parent Ambassador Program at the Center for Community Health and Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
I Didn’t Make a Mistake
My name is Grace. I’m a 20 year old mother to the world’s most beautiful, energetic, grey-eyed baby boy named Christian. He will be 10 months on May 3rd! Yay Christian! He is the reason why I smile every day because he reminds me how beautiful life can be! I have learned to see the beauty in every one and everything. He inspires me to be the best I can be in every way.
Because of him I hold my head high and do everything I say I want to accomplish. Having him at 19 made me grow up very fast but because of him I have a dream, which is to become a nurse. I love being a mom even in the most difficult times.
I hope to one day be an inspiration to other young mothers like me. I want to prove to the world that I didn’t make a mistake and I especially want to prove to the world that I didn’t ruin my life! Yes, it’s a daily struggle but I honestly think that my son changed my life in a positive way. One day every one will understand my decision to have a child but right now I’m still working on getting my life together while enjoying every moment of it!
Grace is a participant of the Young Parent Ambassador Program at the Center for Community Health and Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Being a Young Parent
Welcome to my blog! While being 21 isn’t hard enough, I’m a full-time wife and mom. I was pregnant at 19. The world of motherhood was something I wasn’t ready for but thanks to a supportive family and a supportive pregnancy group, I have made it this far. I love the performing arts and will soon finish my study of cosmetology and be certified. My blog posts will mostly focus on the struggles and joys of being a young parent. Enjoy
Dymon is a participant of the Young Parent Ambassador Program at the Center for Community Health and Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Hopes, Dreams, and Goals
Hey, my name is Shaquanda and I am a proud parent. I live here in Boston and do a lil bit of everything. I am an artist, dancer, and a planner. I am 21 and my parents are from the south. I have two children, a boy and girl ages 3 and 2.
I had my first child at 17. Being a parent has it’s ups and downs but I made it this far and plan to continue. Being parent does not mean your hopes, dreams, or goals are gone. Those things make you a better you it made me a better me a happy me.
Shaquanda is a participant of the Young Parent Ambassador Program at the Center for Community Health and Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
I Cannot Stand Being the “Example”
Young, beautiful, and well spoken. That’s what a normal person would say when asked about themselves. So along with those include stubborn, independent, and a great liar. LOL! I’ve accomplished, but not yet completed, all of my goals. I’m very talented and dream about being all I can be both artistically and academically.
I can shop for hours at a time and not even realize it. I have a confession: I like math. That’s right! I’m a geek! I can be a brat at times. I hate asking for help and I cannot stand being the “example”. Think about it. If I’m the “example”, then I can’t F*** things up sometimes. What fun in that??!! So if you wanted to know a little more about before you began to value my opinion on other topics in future blogs, there it is!
BANG!
Laticia is a participant of the Young Parent Ambassador Program at the Center for Community Health and Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Being a Teen Mom Did Not End My Life
Hellooo! My name is Ciara, I am 17 years old, and I am a Leo. I am not shy at all and I love attending events that include some type of young parent support. It is a great feeling to be around people who go through or have similar situations as your own.
I got pregnant at the age of 16. I was a junior in high school. After taking 3 pregnancy tests (first one was at McDonalds, lol). I was still in denial about being pregnant but I knew from the start that I was keepin my baby. A lot of people (family and friends) doubted I would stay in school. I would miss a day and the rumors would go around that I dropped out. I knew that having a baby would require me to make sacrifices but I never said it would end my life because I knew it was not true! I had a healthy pregnancy overall and a pretty cool birth experience. I loved the hospital!!! My son’s name is Jayden Alexander and he was born on June 29th. He is my trikitiki de mami!
I am a busy person for the most part. I am currently a senior and ready for graduation coming up on June 9th!! Although I work and go to school, I still manage to have my breaks and fun/alone time. Wanting a break does not mean your a bad parent ! It may be hard sometimes but always know you are not going through it alone, believe me. As a Young Parent Ambassador I am here to support you and available to any type of venting you may need.
Ciara is a participant of the Young Parent Ambassador Program at the Center for Community Health and Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
Tweeting About My Issues by @MissStaceyJ3
My name is Stacey Jackson, I’m 20 and I became a mommy at 18. Finding out I was pregnant at age 18 was hard for me at first, just because I was in my last year of high school, and set to go off to college. For a while I didn’t know whether I wanted to have the baby or not, but there was always that feeling there of me knowing I could never get rid of my baby.
I ended up hiding my pregnancy for 5 1/2 months only four people knew, my boyfriend , my sister, my friend, and I . I would go to my doctors appointments when it was lunch time at school, and secretly have ultrasounds. I wasn’t afraid for people to know. I think I was more scared of the thought of my life being over.
When I told my mom her reaction was happy for me. I knew she’d be ok with me being pregnant, I was 18, going to college I worked, and I supported myself already. My mom and one of my sisters were happy, but the rest of my family had a problem with it. As the months I really didn’t care what other people thought of me being pregnant.
I ended up graduating when I was six months pregnant in June of 2011. I chose to go to UMass Boston (deferring to the spring semester). Then on September 22, 2011, I had my beautiful baby boy Ethan. After I saw his face I knew I made the right decision. The biggest challenges for me so far hasn’t been financial, it hasn’t been dealing with the baby, or even relationship issues with Ethan’s dad, it’s even been my weight problem.
During my pregnancy I gained a normal amount of pregnancy weight, but when I had him after getting on birth control my weight soared and I began packing on pounds. Because of my weight, I have insecurities . I don’t feel like myself, and I’m very unhappy. No matter what I try to do to make myself feel good when I look in the mirror my self-esteem all comes crashing down. I try to go to the gym, I try to eat healthy, but none of it ever seems like it works.
@ProudToParent is something I came in contact with through one of my twitter friends. The #ProudtoParent chats have helped me see that I’m not the only one who had a baby at a young age and all my struggles are normal. Eventually I want these twitter chats to help young girls like me, and I hope one day girls or even guys can read them and know the exact feeling that I’m feeling. I didn’t have any one to talk to about my issues and most of the time I still don’t, so if I can help someone just by talking about my issues an struggles, I know I’ll be ok.
