Name:	Valerie
Online Name:	YMNmom
Country:	US
State:	Michigan
Age:	27
Your Birthday:	August 31
E Code:	N/A
URL/Web Page Address:	http://www.youngermothers.com
Special Talents:	???
Hobbies:	reading, web-design, writing, movies
Where do you work?	A limousine service, and at home
Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what?	Yes, I was an asst. teacher at a preschool
Are you in school?
If you've graduated, what is your degree?	Graduated Highschool in 1990
How old were you when you had your first child?	19
Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?:	I almost had an abortion, then decided on adoption. We were one appointment away from choosing adoptive parents for my son, when I decided that I couldn't go through with it, and decided to raise him on my own.
Was it the first time you had sex?	I was 18.
Were you and the father a couple?	Yes
Are you still together?	No, he left me when I was 5 months pregnant.
If you're not together, is the father involved? How is he involved?	No, we haven't heard from him in 2 1/2 years.
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, just didn't think it would happen to me.
Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself?	I thought I would have the birth-father's help. I knew that I would have my parents' help.
Were you using protection against STDs?	No
How many children do you have?	2
What are their names, ages, birthdays?	Tyler (8.5 yrs) Shayla (3.5 yrs)
Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult?	My first pregnancy was very emotionally traumatic.
Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems?	No
What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother?	I think the hardest part was trying to find a balance between being the best mother I could be, while still giving myself the opportunity to enjoy being a young woman.
Was your family helpful/supportive?	Yes, very.
Did you stay at home with your parents?	I lived with them when I was pregnant, and moved out on my own when my son was almost a year old.
Did your family help support you? The baby? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Yes, they did still do emotionally support us. My parents helped me and my son out financially, too, back then.
Do they support you now? Emotionally, financially, or both?	They support us emotionally.
Did/do you need public assistance? How did/does that make you feel?	I only receive assistance for medical coverage for me and my son.
Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both?	The one and only thing that I give his mother credit for is that she is the one who convinced me not to have an abortion. Other than that, they haven't been any more involved than the birth-father.
Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both?	No.
Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents?	No. We received a Christmas card from his paternal Grandmother last year, which said they have chosen to stay away at this time, so that they don't confuse Tyler. Like that isn't confusing for him?
Do you feel accepted by people your age?	Sometimes.
Do you feel like you have it harder than people your own age without children?	Yes.
Are you happy with the decisions you have made? (Be honest. . .it's ok to feel bad, we all do sometimes)	Not all of my decisions. I've made my share of mistakes, and have my share of regrets. But without those mistakes, I wouldn't be where I'm at now, with the two most wonderful children in the whole world, and the best husband I could ever dream of.
What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother)	To take better care of myself, and to better organize my life.
Have your goals changed since you became a parent?	Yes.
Do you feel that reaching your goals will be more difficult now that your a teen parent?	My goals changed alot when I became a teen parent, and it did make things more difficult.
What would you tell a (school age) 12-18 year old girl that wanted to get pregnant?	To try and enjoy her youth first, because once it's gone, you can't go back.
How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you?	It made me a stronger person all-together. It raised my self-esteem, and confidence. But it also wears me out, and makes me feel so emotionally drained and exhausted at times.
How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy?	As a burden.
Why do you think there are so many teen parents?	Teens think they are invincible. I don't mean this in a bad way - I felt the same way. It's a natural state of mind. Generally, teens live for the minute, not thinking about consequences.
List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother?	I feel alot more mature than many women my age. I feel like I have more life-experience a better grasp on reality than other woman my age. I probably have more energy to keep up with my kids than older moms. I will still be young enough to enjoy life when my children are grown out of the house. Most likely, not only will I live to see my grandchildren, but also my great-grandchildren.
List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?:	I didn't go away to college as planned. My dream of being a teacher has been put indefinitely on hold. I can't seem to get out of debt. The parents of my childrens' peers seem to treat me as an outcast. I was forced to grow up drastically overnight.
What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?:	To make more friends who I can relate to.
Today's Date:	January 3, 2000