| Name: | Laura |
| Online Name: | Pied Pyperess |
| Country: | USA |
| State: | Utah |
| Age: | 19 |
| Your Birthday: | 5-14-80 |
| Special Talents: | Tuning my parents and college professors out. :) |
| Hobbies: | Reading, writing, daydreaming, playing pool, painting, see my website for more info |
| Where do you work? | at my college in the registrar's office |
| Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what? | Yes--I was working as a telemarketer |
| Are you in school? | Yes, I'm a sophomore at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. |
| If you've graduated, what is your degree? | Not quite yet. |
| How old were you when you had your first child? | 17, almost 18. |
| Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?: | I kept him. |
| Was it the first time you had sex? | no |
| Were you and the father a couple? | no |
| Are you still together? | no |
| If you're not together, is the father involved? How is he involved? | no |
| Were you using protection against pregnancy? If yes, what kind? | no |
| If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain: | no |
| Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself? | by working and living at home still |
| Were you using protection against STDs? | no |
| How many children do you have? | 1 |
| What are their names, ages, birthdays? | Gavin, 20 months, 4-18-98 |
| Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult? | no |
| Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems? | no |
| What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother? | Finding time to go out and have fun between college and work and having a child. |
| Was your family helpful/supportive? | yes |
| Did you stay at home with your parents? | yes |
| Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both? | both |
| Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both? | both |
| Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel? | Gavin is just on Medicaid. |
| Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both? | no |
| Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both? | no |
| Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents? | no |
| Do you feel accepted by people your age? | sure |
| Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children? | of course. more responsibility. |
| Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes) | Sure. Can't change anything now. Just make the best of your situation. I love Gavin, but I *never* want to have any more kids. |
| What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother) | Graduate college, find a good paying job, and live life to the fullest. |
| Have your goals changed since you became a parent? | no |
| Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent? | no, i'm doing the same things at least education-wise that I would've done if I hadn't have gotten pregnant. |
| What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant? | Girl, you're crazy! Go buy a puppy if you're that messed up that you feel like you need something around to love and make you feel loved! |
| How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you? | made you responsible for someone other than yourself. |
| How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy? | pretty badly. like we're total losers. |
| Why do you think there are so many teen parents? | parents are afraid to talk to their teenagers about using protection. wouldn't you rather have your daughter on the pill? |
| List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother? | Closer in age to your children, so maybe when they're teenagers, you can relate more. |
| List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?: | Less time for yourself and having fun. |
| What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?: | Find some new friends online to chat with. |
| Today's Date: | 1-15-00 |