| Name: | Amanda | Country: | United States |
| State: | Indiana |
| Age: | 23 |
| Your Birthday: | August 5, 1976 | Special Talents: | singing, writing poetry |
| Hobbies: | singing, writing, reading |
| Where do you work? | currently looking |
| Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what? | no |
| Are you in school? | no, but I want to go to college one of these days |
| If you've graduated, what is your degree? | just a diploma at the time |
| How old were you when you had your first child? | 19 |
| Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?: | kept all 3 |
| Was it the first time you had sex? | no |
| Were you and the father a couple? | yes to all 3 |
| Are you still together? | not with any of them, except legally married to the father of the first |
| If you're not together, is the father involved? How is he involved? | are you kidding? The father's could care less. The only reason I get child support from my oldest's father is because his CO makes him pay it. |
| Were you using protection against pregnancy? If yes, what kind? | pills with my first, second was planned, and pills and condoms with the third. |
| If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain: | The father and I wanted a child when I got pregnant with my second. |
| Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself? | I was supposed to be supported by the father's of my children, plus I went to work when I found out I was pregnant |
| Were you using protection against STDs? | not with the fathers of my first 2 children because we got tested before we stopped using condoms, and yes with the third. |
| How many children do you have? | 3 |
| What are their names, ages, birthdays? | Cori (Cordelia), 3 years, May 10; Anthony, 18 months, October 27; Adrianna, 4 months, December 1. |
| Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult? | All 3 were, but my last pregnancy was my worst emotionally |
| Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems? | Hyperemesis (severe morning sickness), bladder infections, and unexplained bleeding with my first; no medical problems with my second; and Minimual Sinus Seperation of the Placenta with my third |
| What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother? | Personally, It's trying to figure out what to tell my children about there father's without placing my feelings in my children's heads |
| Was your family helpful/supportive? | All the way, if it wasn't for them I never would have made it. |
| Did you stay at home with your parents? | I still live with my parents, because it's difficult to find a job that will pay the bills and support 3 children. |
| Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both? | Both. |
| Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both? | Both |
| Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel? | I did with my first pregnancy and until my oldest was about a year old. The way I see it, me, my parents and my oldest's father paid taxes, so part of that money is mine if I needed it. |
| Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both? | With my first, yes. But with my second and third child, they never bothered with me |
| Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both? | nope |
| Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents? | neither of my children have a relationship with their paternal grandparents, but that was the decision the grandparents made. |
| Do you feel accepted by people your age? | Depends. With other young parents yes and with those who do not have children or who do not have relationships with their children, no. |
| Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children? | Yes and no. Yes, because I haven't had a childhood ( I helped take care of my siblings) and No, because I will still have plenty of years ahead of me to enjoy life after my children are grown. |
| Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes) | Not all of them, but if I wouldn't have made those mistakes, I wouldn't have my children. |
| What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother) | To go to college and med school and eventually be a doctor. I haven't figured out a specialty yet though. |
| Have your goals changed since you became a parent? | No, not really. |
| Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent? | I wasn't actually a teen parent, but yes it seems like my goals will be harder to reach. |
| What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant? | Wait until after you have a career. And don't listen to the guy if he says he'll support you. |
| How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you? | I've grown up a lot, I have more patience. |
| How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy? | As if it is something to be ashamed of. |
| Why do you think there are so many teen parents? | I honestly can't say. All the reasons they give such as not getting enough love in the home and everything didn't fit me. I started having sex at 15, but it was just because I wanted to, not because I wasn't getting enough love at home. |
| List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother? | 1. I'll still be young enough to enjoy life when my children are grown. 2. I have more energy to enjoy my children. 3. I'll be able to remember what it was like to be a child, adolescent, as my children grow and face challenges. 4. I'm more open minded, then I would be as I get older. I think the older you get the more set in your ways you become. 5. I'm not too old to enjoy playing games, pretend or dress up with my children. |
| List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?: | 1. Not having much of a life outside my children. 2. Not being able to give my children everything they need because of my lack of education and job experience needed for a good paying job. 3. Having to depend on my parents for so much. 4. Not being able to take care of myself properly because all my energy goes into raising and supporting my children. 5. Being blind to the fact that you have to be more careful in the choices you make in men. Although I have learned my lesson. |
| What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?: | Support, advice, and the chance to support others who are just joining us on the journey that lies ahead. |
| Today's Date: | April 16, 2000 |