Name:	Anneke
Online Name:	yummymommy
Country:	Canada
State:	B.C.
Age:	21
Your Birthday:	Oct. 21 1978
Special Talents:	hmmmm... I dunno!
Hobbies:	playing on the computer, reading, crafts, sewing, swimming, horseback riding, camping.
Where do you work?	Big Dogs Sportswear
Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what?	no
Are you in school?	no
If you've graduated, what is your degree?	Unfortunately, I haven't graduated
How old were you when you had your first child?	18, but I had a miscarriage when I was 17 also
Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?:	kept
Was it the first time you had sex?	no
Were you and the father a couple?	yes
Are you still together?	Yes, we are married now.
If you're not together, is the father involved? How is he involved?	n/a
Were you using protection against pregnancy? If yes, what kind?	Only occasionally. We used condoms.
If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain:	Well, we weren't trying to get pregnant the first time (when I miscarried), but we weren't NOT trying either. After my miscarriage we WERE trying. We felt that we were ready to have a baby and it was something that we both wanted very much.
Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself?	Yes, my husband was working and we already owned our own home.
Were you using protection against STDs?	No, we weren't sleeping around. I was his first and I had only slept with one other guy before him (and I was that guy's first too).
How many children do you have?	2
What are their names, ages, birthdays?	Isaiah, 3 years old, born March 4 1997 and Elijah, almost 10 months, born Sept. 5 1999
Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult?	Only in the beginning because I was scared of having another miscarriage.
Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems?	no
What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother?	Knowing that I didn't finnish school, and I should have. I hope to go back.
Was your family helpful/supportive?	Yes, very.
Did you stay at home with your parents?	No, I was already living out of their house (for over 2 years)
Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Only emotionally, financially my husband and I support our family.
Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both?	emotionally
Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel?	enter here
Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Yes. I don't like to be on assistance, but if I need it, I know it's there. But I won't sit around doing nothing (not working) just living off of the government. We try our best, and that's what counts to me.
Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both?	emotionally
Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents?	yes
Do you feel accepted by people your age?	mostly
Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children?	Yes, a little. But I have something that they don't have too!
Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes)	Sometimes I feel like I should have waited until I had a better education and a good job or a career, but mostly I am happy with the decisions I made and with my life as it is.
What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother)	I would like to go back to school and get a better education, so I can get a better job. I would also like to become a foster parent, when we move to a bigger house.
Have your goals changed since you became a parent?	yes, I didn't care about my education before. Now I know better.
Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent?	Yes
What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant?	enter here
How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you?	Wait until you have an education, a good job and a strong, healthy relationship with the father-to-be.
How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy?	I think it depends on where you are. Most places and people look down upon it, some places and people seem not to care or to accept it better.
Why do you think there are so many teen parents?	Because parents don't give their teens enough attention, love and understanding. And because parents need to have a more open relationship with their teens, and be more understanding.
List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother?	Having kids while you are still young. Remembering what it was like to be a kid, because it wasn't that long ago that you were one. You are young and energetic enough to do sports and stuff with your kids, and to keep up with them. You can still be considered "cool". The Love of a child is the best thing in the world.
List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?:	It's harder financialy. You can't go out and party. You don't have a lot in common with most people your age (unless they too have kids). It's harder to get an education. It's harder to get a job, especially since you have to put your baby in daycare.
What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?:	Support and advice, and to be able to give support and advice.
Today's Date:	June 27 2000