Name: Amber Your Birthday: 10/16/77
Special Talents: riding or training horses giving lesons(used to)
Hobbies: camping, gardening, horses
Where do you work? SAHM
Were you working when you became pregnant? no
Are you in school? im starting fall 2001
If you've graduated, what is your degree? n/a
How old were you when you had your first child? 22
Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?: i kept him
Was it the first time you had sex? 17
Were you and the father a couple? yes, but i found out i was pregnant after we broke up
Are you still together? no way
If you're not together, is the father involved? How is he involved? hes not involved at all i dont even know where he is
Were you using protection against pregnancy? If yes, what kind? sometimes, condoms
If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain: n/a
Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself? i had no clue how i would afford it, i couldnt even work much durng my pregnancy from comlications
Were you using protection against STDs? just comdoms whe we used them
How many children do you have? 1
What are their names, ages, birthdays? Ethan Taylor 6 months 01/23/00
Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult? yes very..i had moved 900 miles away from home when i found out in with my (bio) mother wich i dont particularly like....then my grandfather found out he had cancer and died the day after my birthday, i was very homesick for my grandmother and missed my friends, plus the babies father stopped talking to me and had said some not nice things about me
Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems? i had extreme hypermesis and was hospitalized several times for dehydration, i lost 40 pounds (dont worry hehe i gained 70 back), i had to remain on medication for 9 months for it
What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother? the isolation from my peers
Was your family helpful/supportive? yes they were my mother was excited(shes crazy so) and my grandmother wasnt happy but she supported me more than anyone and even flew me down to see her and to visit my friends...
Did you stay at home with your parents? well i had moved to my mothers for the summer to make a lot of money and move back but when i was pregnant an unable to work she let me stay...i plan on moving back to TN and getting my own apt
Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both? emotionally yes they did and my mother had to support me through my pregnancy and the first month of ethan's life, my grandmother buys ethan he things like clothes so i can save
Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both? yes
Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel? i am on it now, i dont like it but i have no choice..i live pretty far out and dont have a car and my mother is gone almost everyday of the week...im lucky to get out and get my groceries once a week..when i attend college ill be able to have transportaion and i will work part time
Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both? i dont think he even told them
Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both? enter here
Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents? no
Do you feel accepted by people your age? well yes and no...noone ever says things about me ( i am older so that may be why) but noone except a few people with hang out with me
Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children? yes i do...i cant just up and go out on a whim..i cant stay out all night, i cant go to clubs or on vacation..i dont get new clothes or spend my money on funthings
Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes) i think ethan was the best thing for me..it made me grow up and see what i was doing to myself....and see who i was hanging out with (at the time) it actually boosted my self esteem..before i felt that my life was pretty pointless but now ive got goals and feel i can do anything i put my mind to..allthough i do miss hanging out with friends all the time and my clubbing
What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother) enter here
Have your goals changed since you became a parent? yes very much..i dont think i had any before...im finally going to go to college and become a self reliant adult..my future looks so much brighter
Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent? i dont think more difficult just different i mean i was alrady on my own for a few yrs so i had to support and take care of myself...now i have a reason to accomplish goals
What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant? shes crazy :) allthough ive read anyone that becomes pregnant subconsiously did so on purpose..ill have to agree with it too...just wait till you're married and prepared for the commitment both physically and emotionally ..get your education first..its much easier that way
How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you? ive grown up...gotten goals...put life into perspective...become much more positive even when it can be scary
How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy? i think so....i look very young for my age and i got some nasty looks when i was pregnant
Why do you think there are so many teen parents? i think some of it environmental...girls are also having sex much younger...
List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother? 1.a wonderful litle person 2.it can force you to take a good look at your life 3. you still have the energy
List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?: 1. no sleep 2.loose social life 3. more responsibility 4. less money 5.no "me" time
What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?: i hope to meet other mothers like myself and help anyone out who needs advice or somone to talk to
Today's Date: july,15 2000