| Name: | Crystal B |
| Online Name: | beachbaby78 |
| Country: | USA |
| State: | Virginia |
| Age: | 22 |
| Your Birthday: | April 5,1978 |
| E Code: | enter here |
| URL/Web Page Address: | http://www.oocities.org/sunshinecb22 |
| Special Talents: | make friends very easily, and I try to keep my chin up, try not to let things get me down |
| Hobbies: | crochet, cross stitch, playing with the baby :) |
| Where do you work? | home |
| Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what? | I was the manager of a snack bar in Concord Va |
| Are you in school? | No |
| If you've graduated, what is your degree? | enter here |
| How old were you when you had your first child? | 19 |
| 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? | NO |
| If you're not together, is the father involved? How is he involved? | enter here |
| Were you using protection against pregnancy? If yes, what kind? | I was told when I was 14 that I would never be able to have children, that I didnt need protection |
| If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain: | enter here |
| Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself? | I didnt have a clue, but I knew that I had to keep her no matter what! |
| Were you using protection against STDs? | No |
| How many children do you have? | just one |
| What are their names, ages, birthdays? | Angelica Marie Barnes 2 and 1/2 October 07,1997 |
| Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult? | that does not even describe what my pregnancy was like |
| Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems? | I was in the hospital every week to get IV fluids, I almost misscarried four times, and the doctors tried to take her from me ( I kicked him) I was on bed rest for the whole time, and she layed on my spinal cord so I couldnt walk, I was in a wheel chair. I carried her for 10 months but it was worth every minute! |
| What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother? | I think that I am going thru that now, her father fought me for custody and now doesnt want her. How am I supposed to explain that to a two year old? It breaks my heart for her to ask for him and I cant do anything about it. |
| Was your family helpful/supportive? | some, as much as they could be I guess |
| Did you stay at home with your parents? | no |
| Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both? | emotionally |
| Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both? | emotionally, we live a ways from each other now |
| Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel? | I was on it when I was pregnant, and for a while after. As long as my child was fed, that was all that mattered to me |
| Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both? | none of the above |
| Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both? | nope |
| Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents? | some, the dont see or call much, unless they want something |
| Do you feel accepted by people your age? | no, because I have more responsibility than they do, they dont understand that I do it by choice, I LOVE being a mommy |
| Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children? | Not becuase of my daugher, but because I have been on my own for so long, and I take care of myself |
| Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes) | Most of them, but that is part of life, live and learn from your mistakes |
| What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother) | Right now, I am just trying to get my health under control, I was diagnosed with cervical cancer in October of last year and they just removed part of my cervix, plus I am diabetic and I have been having trouble with it. I also had a couple of heat strokes, so my health is the main thing right now |
| Have your goals changed since you became a parent? | My main goal now is my child |
| Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent? | enter here |
| What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant? | be ready to face the consequences. Babys are not just fun and games they are a lot of hard work and effort, and if you travel that road, make sure that you dont make the baby suffer for your mistake |
| How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you? | Having a child really makes you grow up and think about others, I am more concerned about fevers and potty training, than looking like something from Vogue lol |
| How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy? | I think that it is more accepted now that it was years ago. Doesnt make it any easier though |
| Why do you think there are so many teen parents? | Sex sells, every add you see has something to do with sex, it is pushed into everyones head that sex is great and wonderful, and if you do it ppl will like you. It makes it hard to say no |
| List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother? | You get to learn together, you both grow together, you are less likely to push your dreams on your children, you will be there when they get older and need help because you have been there, you will have time to yourself when you retire lol |
| List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?: | It is very hard to raise them on your own, you have society against you, there is not a lot of help (emotionally) , you have NO experience ,trying to raise a child and go to school or work is very difficult |
| What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?: | emotional support, and hopefully, I will be able to help others |
| Today's Date: | July 11,2000 |