Name:	Victoria
Online Name:	ExpectingAnAngel
Country:	USA
State:	Nevada
Age:	16
Your Birthday:	October 28, 1983
Special Talents:	Acting, dancing, poetry, and a profiund knowledge of BtVs
Hobbies:	same as above and my webpage
Where do you work?	I used to work at Jagged Edge but I quit.
Were you working when you became pregnant? If yes, doing what?	Nope I quit a month before.
Are you in school?	I am home schooled.
If you've graduated, what is your degree?	enter here
How old were you when you had your first child?	I will be turning 17 (the baby is due 3 days before my 17th birthday)
Did you keep? abort? give up for adoption?:	I am keeping
Was it the first time you had sex?	no
Were you and the father a couple?	yes
Are you still together?	no
If you're not together, is the father involved? How is he involved?	He is involved but I don't want him to be. I feel as though he uses the baby against me... like a leash so he can always have control. He says that he is going to be in the baby's life but as of now he hasn't done anything but upset me.
Were you using protection against pregnancy? If yes, what kind?	Yes, condoms. Ha helped a lot didn't it?
If not, was it because you were trying to get pregnant? Please explain:	enter here
Did you know how you would support the baby? Support yourself?	Yes, I know how I am going to. Right now I am going to finish highschool. Then I am going onto college to become a home school teacher. At night I am going to work as a cocktail waitress at the MGM.
Were you using protection against STDs?	Yes, condoms.
How many children do you have?	One on the way.
What are their names, ages, birthdays?	Her name will be Alyssa Noelle, she is currently 22.5 weeks old (in my tummy), and she is due October 25, 2000.
Was the pregnancy emotionally difficult?	Yes, very.
Was the pregnancy physically difficult? i.e. were there any medical problems?	No, but there was a lot of ALL day sickness, stress, depression, and weight loss.
What was/is the most difficult experience as a young mother?	Knowing that I had to give up all of my dreams so that I may accomplish the dreams of my child.
Was your family helpful/supportive?	Yes, they are.
Did you stay at home with your parents?	Yes, I am planning on staying here until I am done with college.
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?	No, I guess it makes me feel good to know that I don't need the states help.
Was the father's family involved with the pregnancy? Emotionally, financially, or both?	As of now no, but in the beginning his mom was.
Did the father's family help support you? Emotionally, financially, or both?	Same as above.
Does the child have a relationship with the paternal Grandparents?	Don't know yet.
Do you feel accepted by people your age?	Yes and no. I know a lot of people who are having kids my age. I guess I feel accepted by them but not by the ones who are not in my situation.
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)	Sometimes I regret that the baby's father isn't someone who I am in with love now, but I know that I love him. Maybe that makes it harder... to love someone and know that it could never work.
What are your personal goals? (goals for yourself as an individual not as a mother)	I want to somehow get my acting back.
Have your goals changed since you became a parent?	Yes, I used to want to go to Juliard in New York for acting and dancing. Now I know that is impossible because I want to be a stay at home mom. I can't be that without giving up the acting and dancing... at least for 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?	Getting pregnant doesn't make things easier. I know that two of the most common reasons girls want to get pregnant is to bring them closer to their boyfriend and to have someone who will always love you. I don't recommend having a child for either of these reasons. Why? Because they are selfish reasons. When you have a child it is no longer you it is your child. You can't do the things you used to or you wanted to. True it is the best gift, but are you sure you are ready for the responsibilites? I would be a hypocrite to tell you not to but I will tell you to think about it. I am having this baby... I may not have chose to concieve her but I chose to keep her because I believe that I can be just as good a mother as any... I only have to try harder. Are you willing to try that much harder?
How do you think being a Young Mother has changed you?	You have to grow up. I no longer have enemies because I don't have time for them. Sure there are people I don't like but I don't hate them. I even made up with someone who I never thought I would.
How do you think society looks upon teen pregnancy?	Society in general thinks that we can not be good mothers. It's because they stereotype us. Sure there are those of us who fit the stereotypes but not all of us do. I don't. I am taking responsibility for my actions not my mistakes. A child is NEVER a mistake and I hate when people say that. God gave me this child because he chose me to be this child's angel. It's not a punishment. It's a gift.
Why do you think there are so many teen parents?	Sex is all around us. It's on television, it's on the radio, it's all anyone talks about. So of course we become curious and once you do it you are sucked in. Peer pressure has a lot to do with it. Also a lot of us think "it's not going to happen to me", but newsflash it can. Parents want to believe that their 11 year olds on up aren't having sex. They are. Parents believe they aren't faced with it every day and they don't talk to their kids about it. More kids are becoming sexually active every day at a younger and younger age.
List 5 Pro's to being a teen Mother?	You can relate to you child better. You have to grow up. You get to enjoy your child more. You get to grow old with your child. You get the best gift in the world.
List 5 Con's to being a teen Mother?:	You have to give up some of your dreams for theirs. You have to grow up. You lose a lot of your "friends". You get looked down upon. You don't get taken seriously.
What do you expect to get out of being a member of Young Mothers?:	to make friends and maybe help some people while getting help myself.
Today's Date:	June 25, 2000