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Being A Young Parent: The Pros and the Cons
In my experience, I have seen many young parents give their children up for adoption because they cannot take care of them. I was curious to know why. I believe babies are best thing that could happen to a person. Then it dawned on me, maybe it’s the lack of support.
Many teens feel like their whole world is about to end when they find out they are pregnant. At times their parents kick them out their house and leave them to fend for themselves. A lot of teens also drop out of school, which is tough because without an education they cannot provide a lot of things for their children.
After I found out I was pregnant, the father bailed out on me but I knew I couldn’t leave my son hanging. I had to do everything in my power to succeed in life so he could live a comfortably. I stayed in school and graduated with Honors. I then worked my way up to a four-year college. I plan to stay here, work hard and be a successful woman.
Maybe some teens do not know about programs they can enroll in like Crittenton’s Womens Union, WIC or other resources that can help them raise their child and give them the support they need. Maybe that’s why they give up. Children are blessings and no matter how hard it is, there is always a way and always someone to help. If you believe in yourself and push youself, young parents can raise their children and watch them succeed in life.
Recap: Live Twitter Chat on Struggle and Success
Last night, STEPPSboston hosted the second weekly live twitter chat!
The 90 minute chat included a Q&A session with social media savvy young parents. @STEPPSboston asked our young parent followers the following questions:
Q1. How does society define success for a young parent? How do YOU define success as a young parent? #YPsupport
Q2. What have been your biggest struggles as a young parent? Did you expect to see these struggles when you were expecting? #YPsupport
Q3. What stresses you the most about being a young parent? What would help you reduce your stress? #YPsupport
Q4. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Is this different than where you saw yourself before becoming a parent? #YPsupport
Q5. When you are not sure about a pregnancy or parenting question, who do you ask or where do you go for advice? #YPsupport
Q6. As a proud young parent, what is one thing you would tell others about your journey? #YPsupport
Q7. If you could create a teen pregnancy prevention campaign, what would you tell teens/adults about preventing teen pregnancy? #YPsupport
Q8. Why do you advocate for young parents? Why should we continue to support young parents? #YPsupport
Young parents, near and far, had wonderful answers for these questions:
@GloriaMalone A1. I dont think society has a definition or even a conceivable notion of success for a young or teen parent. #YPSupport
@coolguymorales A2. my biggest struggle is being a SINGLE father ! one of the biggest struggles , never thought having a child on my own would
@AriellaFaith A3. The fear of not succeeding in life or fulfilling my dreams for not only myself but, my family. #YPSupport
@colonxjp A4. In 5 years i hope to see myself graduated from college and having steady job. I wanna have my own home nd happy with my family.#YPsupport
@Shaleaka23 A5. I ask the teachers (who are also mothers) at my daughters daycare that i love so much and have so much trust in. #YPsupport
@PEACE_LOVEx3 A6. I’m just as if not more successful than the average 19yr old and I have a 19month old to prove it #YPSupport
@Nino_Negrino A7. I think the biggest obstacle right now is morality. Too busy teaching abstinence and not STD/pregnancy prevention.
@AriellaFaith A8. I advocate for young parents because, I am one. I live through the struggles, doubts and judements of others. + #YPsupport
@TheYoungMommy A8. Something that no one talks about – younger women are the prime candidates to have children. Fertility is on our side. #YPSupport
@Shaleaka23 A8. Because we are parents just like the rest and can make it just as well. #YPsupport
Thank you to our young parent participants, ambassadors, followers, and supporters. Not only are we connecting virtually and building a new online support system, but we are showing the world the wonderful storiesof young parents.
Thank you @Shaleaka23, @SugarPlumPlum1, @LaurenSinger1, @Kaishax23, @ColonxJP, @GloriaMalone, @Peace_Lovex3, @coolguymorales, @Nino_Negrino, @TheYoungMommy, @NatashaVianna, @LoveBirthLLC, @TheLioness, @EvelinASantos, @EmilyNezvesky, @YoungMumTales, @CharleyVallance, @LCNurse, @AriellaFaith, @OwnsApril, @YoungDadsTV, @PrymFace, @MamaMakes, @ItsMothersWork, @CATeenGuide, and @Flotisserie.
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Recap: Live Twitter Chat with @TheYoungMommy
Last night, @STEPPSboston and @TheYoungMommy joined forces to host the first Live Twitter Chat on the @STEPPSboston twitter feed. Young parents, near and far, joined the chat by using the hashtag #YPsupport.
After becoming a mom at 20, Tara decided to turn her personal story into a movement to create more opportunities for other young mothers. She is a avid blogger, posting daily on the thrills and challenges of being a 20something mom at TheYoungMommyLife.com, one of the top blogs on the web for young moms.We knew Tara was the perfect person to host our first chat. Being a teen/young parent is tough and sometimes, you just feel like you are alone in this world battling all the challenges on your own. However, last night we saw that the online community is an amazing source of support.
Throughout the 90 minute chat, young parents asked Tara 15 questions related to teen parenthood, education, postpartum depression, and the advantages of building an online support system. Here is the first question and answer session:
Between each question, young parents were given the opportunity to chat more with Tara, ask subquestions, and show each other true support. It was truly phenomenal to see how many young parents connected and shared their own experiences in hopes of helping others. Thankfully, social media has changed how young parents are perceived because it has given them a new platform to share their stories with the world.
If you would like to read the entire twitter chat, search #YPsupport on twitter.
Thank you to @sugarplumplum1 @AriellaFaith @JazzyJ1112 @lovebirthllc @Cristianamihael @kaishax23 @Maira56254886 @Shaleaka23 @coolguymorales @Maira56254886 @colonxjp @GloriaMalone @MzTai84 @NatashaVianna @jandellyvonne @SeedsMommySoul for joining the chat! We hope to see you there again next week!
STEPPS will host weekly twitter chats on the challenges and rewards of being a young parent on a weekly basis. Please stay connected by following us on twitter and liking our facebook page.
