Name:	Karrie
Online Name:	Karrie (sarahs_mommy)
Country:	USA
State:	CA
Age:	21
Your Birthday:	November 3, 78
Special Talents:	Listening, reading, writing
Hobbies:	Helping others, support group, writing
Where do you work?	WAHM (Daycare Provider)
Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what?	Nope, I was finishing high school
Are you in school?	Yes, second year of college
If you've graduated, what is your degree?	I graduated high school but am still working on college for a while.
How old were you when you had your first child?	18
Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?:	I kept my child, it wasnt a decision.
Was it the first time you had sex?	No, it was after a year of being sexually active.
Were you and the father a couple?	At the time I was pregnant, yes.
Are you still together?	Nope, we broke up when I was six months pregnant.
If you're not together, is the father involved? How is he involved?	No, he pretty much ditched out on us.
Were you using protection against pregnancy? If yes, what kind?	We were withdrawing, so not really any good protection at all.
If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain:	No, I just was birth control stupid
Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself?	Nope, but I knew I was going to have to figure it out, real quick!
Were you using protection against STDs?	Nope, but luckily I don't have any and am tested every year
How many children do you have?	One
What are their names, ages, birthdays?	Sarah, 22 months (1-16-98)
Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult?	At first I was scared but I just cleared my head and planned my future.
Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems?	No problems at all except I didnt like the 4 month long morning sickness.
What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother?	Trying to finish school, keep a job and be a mother all at once.
Was your family helpful/supportive?	At first disappointed, but my parents are proud of me now.
Did you stay at home with your parents?	Yes, I lived with my dad and boyfriend.
Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both?	They supported me emotionally but I had to deal with financial things and actually raising Sarah by myself.
Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both?	They are still supportive and watch Sarah sometimes if I need a break, but I'm still pretty much on my own.
Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel?	Yes, I was on welfare for over a year and I didnt feel ashamed about it. I couldnt have made it without it. Its a temporary 'get on your feet thing'
Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both?	I don't know the fathers family much.
Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Unknown
Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents?	Nope
Do you feel accepted by people your age?	Sometimes, never fit in much anyways. :-)
Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children?	Yes, tottally!!!
Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes)	Yep, because I believe everything happens for a reason and make me who I am. I wouldnt trade my daughter for the world!
What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother)	I want to graduate college and become a teacher. I don't have any other goals outside being a mother because that is who I am and my little girl centers my entire world. Every dream I have I evolve around her.
Have your goals changed since you became a parent?	Nope, not at all. Only thing different is I started my family a couple years younger than I planned.
Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent?	It is harder but it is worth it to show my daughter that I can be a wonderful mom and still reach my dreams.
What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant?	I would bring her over to my house and let her watch my daughter on a school day and she will instantly understand how hard it is!
How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you?	It has made me a better person if anything. I absoulutly feel fullfilled as a mother. It has made me more responsible, patient and empathatic.
How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy?	They dont understand it. It is seen as slutty if you are a teen mom. I just generally feel people think we are all immature irresponsible kids who pon are babies off on our parents while we go party.
Why do you think there are so many teen parents?	Because there is so much teen sex.
List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother?	1)The joy of your children, 2)The responsibilty (wake up call to real life) 3)The more understanding you will be with your kids (because of the closeness in age), 4)You will probably get to see your great grandchildren, 5)The learning that goes with parenting
List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?:	1)You will be looked down upon, 2)Not having friends and families support (in some cases) 3)Trying to finish school & other goals, 4)A lot of teen parents are not yet patient & responsible enough to handle parenting, 5)Being unmarried in most cases (often without a dad figure at all for children)
What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?:	Support and friendship
Today's Date:	10-22-99