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Name:	Melissa
Online Name:	Melissa_spencer
Country:	USA
State:	Maryland
Age:	15
Your Birthday:	July 13
Special Talents:	Writing, singing, dancing, acting, just about every and any thing
Hobbies:	sports, reading, writting,playin with my puter, talking on the phone, studying (I'm a honor student)
Where do you work?	Local library and at my mom's law firm
Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes,doing what?	yes, i was a receptionist/bookeeper for my mom and a computer programmer for the library time
Are you in school?	Yes i am
If you've graduated, what is your degree?	haven't graduated yet
How old were you when you had your first child?	haven't had him yet
Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?:	I'm keeping my son
Was it the first time you had sex?	yes
Were you and the father a couple?	yes
Are you still together?	yes happily
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:	I wasn't even thinking of pregnancy at the time! He said (I know this was dumb) he didn't want to because it felt better and he wanted me to have his baby. I didn't care and think about the reality and responsibilty of the situation.
Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself?	I knew my family would help, but i was determined to do it myself. I have a good payng job and so does he so we figured we'd be all right.
Were you using protection against STDs?	Nope
How many children do you have?	.5
What are their names, ages, birthdays?	I'm due in August
Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult?	No, I have my mind made up on alot of issues.
Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems?	Yes, i had morning sickness until i was 6 months and bleeding in the 4th month. along.
What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother?	Not being able to do whatever i want, whenever i want to do it.
Was your family helpful/supportive?	MOST of my family was supportive. My mom was very supportive. my siblings ditche me. My dad didn't care.
Did you stay at home with your parents?	Yes, but we plan on moving in together this summer.
Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both?	They helped me in any way they could. His family did too.
Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially,or both?	No, me and my boyfriend pay for everythign. They offered to help, but we refused. This baby is our responsibility. We might eventually need it.
Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel?	no. I see nothing wrong with it if you need it. but if you have 7 kids with no job when you are physically able to work, then I see something wrong with it.
Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Now yes, but not at first. (They wanted to deny he was the father. They are insisting on a DNA test.)
Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Yes
Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents?	Not yet but he will!
Do you feel accepted by people your age?	No, I never had friends to begin with.
Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children?	I really don't know. All of their problems and worries seem almost petty to me at times.
Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes)	Yes, i'm very happy with my decision.
What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother)	To get a degree in law and to be able to survive on my own in a few short months.
Have your goals changed since you became a parent?	yes, i want to stay at home and have more!
Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent?	No, it will just take longer to get there. But since I have support it shouldn't be as dificult.
What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant?	I would tell her the reality of the situation and help her make an informed decison. I wouldn't try to talk her out of it, but I would show her how hard it is.
How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you?	It hasn't.
How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy?	I believe that most see it as a disgrace to parenting. < But its reality and society needs to wake up.TD>
Why do you think there are so many teen parents?	I think it's because kids aren't educated enough. They're still stuck in "that won't happen to me" mode.
List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother?	Can relate better with the child, young to help the kid out, won't be an old grandparent, mature faster, and know a little more about life than the averade 16 year old.
List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?:	you lose most of your friends, you don't get to "enjoy your teen years" (i am enjoying mine as a mom),you don't get the respect you deserve, people always are going to have something to say, and society frowns upon it.
What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?:	To be able to share my story with other teens, and hopefully help some.
Today's Date:	April 7, 2000