Name:	Kim
Online Name:	lilmom2boys
Country:	USA
State:	Guam
Age:	21
Your Birthday:	4/23/79
Special Talents:	Raising 2 wonderful boys, and being a military wife! :O)
Hobbies:	Rubber-stamping, reading, working on my web pages, running, collecting Noah's Ark and Angels. (I could go on...LOL)
Where do you work?	I am a SAHM (stay at home Mom)
Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what?	I was not working when I became pregnant with my first child. I was working part-time in retail when I became pregnant with my second child.
Are you in school?	Not currently, but I plan to start taking a few courses within the next year.
If you've graduated, what is your degree?	I have only finished high school so far.
How old were you when you had your first child?	16
Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?:	I definitely kept him!
Was it the first time you had sex?	No
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?	We are together.
Were you using protection against pregnancy? If yes, what kind?	No
If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain:	I wouldn't say that we were necessarily trying to get pregnant, but we weren't preventing it either.
Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself?	My husband (boyfriend at the time) was working, and I knew my family would be supportive if we needed it.
Were you using protection against STDs?	No
How many children do you have?	2
What are their names, ages, birthdays?	Tyler Keith  4 years old 10/23/95 Landon Kyle 19 months old 11/21/98
Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult?	It wasn't too bad.  With help from my family and friends, I knew I could overcome anything.
Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems?	No
What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother?	My biggest problem was worrying too much about what other people think.  I always got the dirty looks and the comment "Babies have babies."
Was your family helpful/supportive?	Absolutely!
Did you stay at home with your parents?	My husband, myself, and our son lived with my family until Ty was 4 months old.
Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both?	They definitely supported us emotionally.  My husband supported us financially.
Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Only emotionally, when I need it. :O)
Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel?	No we didn't then, and do not now.
Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Yes, they were involved emotionally.
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?	Most of my close friends are older than me and have a family.  My closest friend my age just recently had her first child.  I think people look at me differently because I had my children so young, but I don't feel like I need to be accepted by anyone.
Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children?	I wouldn't say that.  I have been quite lucky.  My husband has a great job, and we are very happy with what is going on in our lives now.  We just have more responsibility than most people our age.
Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes)	I believe that everything happens for a reason.  I look at my boys, and I can't imagine my life without them.  If I could have my life EXACTLY how it is now, but a few years later, I think that is the only thing I would change.
What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother)	My short term goal is to start school.  My long term goal is to become a nurse practitioner.
Have your goals changed since you became a parent?	Yes, My goal, before I became pregnant, was to become an officer in the military.
Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent?	No, I just have to get a move on!
What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant?	I will tell her that her life will definitely change.  She will not have the same experiences as a teen mother as she would as a young woman.  Having a child is an enormous responsibility!
How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you?	I have always been mature for my age, but when I found out I was pregnant, it was an instant "Grow Up" for myself and my husband.  I also worry a lot more than I did before.  It upsets me when my children are sick, ect...  I don't only have myself to take care of now. I have 2 kiddos to take care of too.
How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy?	I know that our society isn't too happy about it, but we all have to work together to inform teens, and help prevent it!
Why do you think there are so many teen parents?	Many adolescents are uninformed about unplanned pregnancy, STD's ect....  I think there should be more information available out there, and parents definitely need to get involved.  Tell your children about the birds and the bees EARLY!
List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother?	I am able to "grow up" with my children.  When they leave home, my husband and I will still be young.  I still have enough energy to run around the house with them, and dance crazy to music LOL  and hopefully I'll still have enough energy to do that for my grandchildren. :O)
List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?:	The majority of teen mothers end up becoming single parents.  Most struggle financially. Most end up having to drop out of school.
What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?:	Friendship, and I want to give support to other young mothers who need it.
Today's Date:	6/23/00