Name:	Mindy
Online Name:	MindyAdriana or Wild_Cherry88
Country:	USA
State:	North Carolina
Age:	16
Your Birthday:	December 30, 1983
Special Talents:	Changing diapers in record time, lol. Giving advice, making people laugh.
Hobbies:	Just spending time with my daughter and friends, also renting movies and spending money I don't have.
Where do you work?	I part-time at a movie rental place
Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what?	No
Are you in school?	Yes, high school.
If you've graduated, what is your degree?	I haven't yet
How old were you when you had your first child?	15
Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?:	I kept her
Was it the first time you had sex?	No
Were you and the father a couple?	Yes, we had been dating for a year
Are you still together?	No
If you're not together, is the father involved? How is he involved?	He gives me money but rarely sees her, he left me 1 month before our daughter was born.
Were you using protection against pregnancy? If yes, what kind?	Yes, most of the time, condoms and spermacide.
If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain:	I was definatly not trying to get pregnant
Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself?	I had absolutely no idea, I thought my mom would kick me out.
Were you using protection against STDs?	Yes
How many children do you have?	One
What are their names, ages, birthdays?	Adriana Carolynn, aged 5 months, born 10/8/99.
Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult?	Yes... I think all teen pregnancies are.
Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems?	I had problems gaining weight and I had gestational diabetes, when she was born she wasen't breathing.
What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother?	Trying to stay sane when life is going a million different directions... and it always is.
Was your family helpful/supportive?	I live with my mom and she was supportive in her own way when I was pregnant, since Adriana was born everything has changed.
Did you stay at home with your parents?	Yes
Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Financially my family supports me, I only make minimum wage, emotionally I haven't gotten much, she just screams at me alot and blames me for everything.
Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Same as above
Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel?	I get WIC, it dosen't bother me.
Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both?	They weren't involved at all
Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both?	No, but then I never really asked because I didn't want ther help.
Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents?	No
Do you feel accepted by people your age?	I don't care if I am accepted by people my age. I have my life taking care of my daughter and they are all wrapped up in their selfish teenage lives. I have a few really close friends who accept me but other than that it dosen't matter.
Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children?	Definatly. I can't even relate to alot of people my age, their big 'problems' in life are choosing prom dresses and getting enough beer for the next weekend, I change diapers and worry about my daughter doubleing her birth weight. But then they aren't the ones who got pregnant so I guess it's all relative lol.
Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes)	No. Although I wouldn't change my baby for the world, I wish she had a good father who cared about her. I wish I would have been older and not a sophomore in high school when I had her.
What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother)	I really want to be a registered nurse and work in pediatrics, or maybe even be a doula. I want to find a decent guy and have more children when I am A LOT older.
Have your goals changed since you became a parent?	They are all centered around the well-beng of Adriana now.
Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent?	Yes
What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant?	That if you WANT to get pregnant before you can take care of youself let alone a baby, you are only thinking of what you want, and not what would be best for a child. Being a parent isn't about baby showers and decorating nurseries, it's about 2 am feedings and poopy diapers. But more than that it's about constantly worrying about your child and thinking about them 24/7. Being a teen parent isn't cute, or fun, it's the hardest thing you will ever do, and you are not ready if you are so immature that you want to get pregnant.
How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you?	I think it has made me a better person overall, and definatly more mature and responsible.
How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy?	I think most(not all) people think that teen mothers are school dropouts on drugs, which is obviously not true.
Why do you think there are so many teen parents?	I think alot of people don't think pregnancy will happen to them, and protection dosen't work etc. I also think teens are keeping their babies more now than in the past more gave their babies up for adoption.
List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother?	It is the best feeling in the world when your child smiles... The unconditional love you have for your child, getting to be young with him/her, I have more energy because I am younger, and I think the experience for being a teen parent makes you a survivor and a stronger person.
List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?:	You are not taken seriously as a parent, you are stereotyped, you have to worry about things like money and school and your child at the same ime, you don't really get the full experience of being a kid, etc.
What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?:	Meet new friends who are young moms like me.
Today's Date:	March 12, 2000