Name:	Elena
Online Name:	Vylette4u2c
Country:	Canada
State:	Alberta
Age:	22
Your Birthday:	June 5, 1978
Special Talents:	Creating websites, html, poetry and creating graphics.
Hobbies:	enter here
Where do you work?	At home, I am a stay at home mom.
Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what?	Yes, I was a sales person/cashier at Amazing Pictures at West Edmonton Mall.
Are you in school?	Nope.
If you've graduated, what is your degree?	High school only.
How old were you when you had your first child?	20
Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?:	Keep.
Was it the first time you had sex?	Not at all.
Were you and the father a couple?	Yes.
Are you still together?	Yes.
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?	Not at all, we din't care about protection we wanted to have a baby. :-)
If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain:	Yes, please see above. :-)
Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself?	Oh yes.
Were you using protection against STDs?	Not at all. Rich and I knew eachother for a while before we had sex without a condom. We knew we wanted to be together forever. We did use condoms before we started to want kids, yes.
How many children do you have?	Only 1 right now. We want more soon though.
What are their names, ages, birthdays?	Richard Christopher 5th, 16 months. February 6, 1999 at 2:53 am MST.
Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult?	Not at all. I had a ball. I really enjoyed being pregnant.
Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems?	I only had severe morning sickness. But I took prescription drugs for it and it kept it under control.
What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother?	Not having anyone besides my finace Richard to help me out. My mother is in university, so she wasn't able to help out.
Was your family helpful/supportive?	Very helpful when they could. Supportive all the time though.
Did you stay at home with your parents?	No I had moved out with Rich before I got pregnant.
Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Yes emotionally and sometimes when they could financially. They are not rich people. :-)
Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Yes. :-)
Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel?	Nope I was never on public assistance and I'm not now either.
Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Yes both.
Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Yes.
Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents?	Yes he does.
Do you feel accepted by people your age?	Yes.
Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children?	Not at all. I feel blessed. :-)
Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes)	I can truthfully say yes. :-) I am happy to have my sweet, healthy baby boy. I love him more then anything in this world. He is my life.
What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother)	To become a website/graphics designer. I enjoy it a whole bunch. And to have more children.
Have your goals changed since you became a parent?	Not at all.
Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent?	Not at all.
What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant?	I would say that they are way too young. To stay in school and follow their hearts because that is way easier than having and taking care of a baby at their age. That it is difficult to actually take care of a child for 18 years.
How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you?	Oh yes! I understand my parents points of view a bunch more now.
How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy?	I think they frown apon it. But who cares what society things anyway. You are your own person and that is all that matters!
Why do you think there are so many teen parents?	Truley I think it is because of lack of knoweledge &/or self esteem.
List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother?	1) Having the energy to care and play with the child. 2) Understanding the child more since you are also very close in age. 3) Teaching your child what you didn't know at your age (as a teen) about your mistakes. For them not to make the same mistakes as you have. 4) Hanging out with the child as a friend not only as a parent. 5) Maybe returning to school yourself when the child is in collage. That would be cool to hang out together and learn from eachother. :-)
List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?:	1) Too young. 2) No money. 3) Sometimes no support. 4) Not finishing school &/or goals. 5) Not being accepted in society, being labeled.
What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?:	Support young mothers, be a mentor and make long lasting friendships. :-)
Today's Date:	Saturday June 17, 2000.