re: Former teenage mother

The only thing you can do is be the parent you know you are, and try to forget the rest. I had my daughter when I was 16, so needless to say here I am at 22 sending her off to kindergarten next week. If you let yourself be defined by a term that makes you feel weak, than you will be justifying criticism from other people.

I remember I took my daughter on a field trip for preschool about 2 years ago. One of the other mothers said "awww thats so nice that you brought your little sister!". I wanted to tell her "awww its so great that you brought your grandkid, old lady!" I didnt though because I know her ignorance will not define me.

You persevered as a strong women when alot of your peers were out wasting away their years. You may have never intended on getting pregnant, but hell you definetly made it right. As far as snapping, every mother does it. I'd like to find ONE that doesnt and punch them in the face because its a lie.

Love your little one and be the best example you can, he/she will be very grateful for it.

i dnt think that is a teenage parent thing i think its a parent thing..my grandmother does it to me hers to her mine to me i do the same to my boys i think its universal..lol

I would never be embarrassed to be a mother. If they don't like it, tough titties. Who cares if they give me a look. It doesn't change anything, as in the love for my child. I will never feel bad for having my boys. I was an older teen parent, 19. I was 22 with our second. My children are the best thing I could ever imagine.

I have the same issues. I was 18 when I had Jakob. When I say to someone I have two children, they almost fall over with shock. Then when they ask me how old they are, and I tell them I have a 5 year old, they choke on their own saliva. I live in a well-to-do area, and all the kids at my sons school, have yuppy soccer moms. I usually make my husband (he's older than me) drop my son off at birthday parties, because the first one I dropped him off at, the other mum said to me, "You can come pick up your baby brother in two hours". When I corrected her, she looked disgusted.

I often find myself comparing my children's milestones to my friends children (my two closes friends are 7 years older). For everything from potty training, to verbal and motor skills. I question my parenting skills on a regular basis. I continue to do so with Cadence, although I was in my 20s when I had her.

Anyway, you're definitely not alone.

Quoting laurenmik:“ I don't know if there is much to debate or discuss but I can't think of anywhere else to put this.. I ... [snip!] ... mother would react? Would she have more control after hours of badgering? Once a teenage parent always a teenage parent?”

I got married at 19, pregnant at 19 and gave birth at 20. I don't consider myself a teen bride or a teen mom. Perhaps it was because I was in a secure job in the military, but I was an adult...a woman. I'm now 26 with 3 children and wouldn't change any of it.

My son will badger me for stuff to and I react in the same way with "...And I would like to lose 40 lbs, but I'm not, now am I!?" It's just general frustration. We too are people and are allowed to vent our frustrations.

I don't feel I mesh well with other parents. I often feel like I'm more in tuned to my children and can understand their internal quarrels.

I got pregnant with my son at 16 and had him at 17. I also look like I'm 14. I'm the youngest mom in my son's class LOL! Sometime's I feel like I get too frustrated with my kids but in all honesty I don't think it is because I'm a young mother. I probably wouldn't be as stressed out if I had waited to have children LOL! I had to grow up too fast. I bought a house when I was 21. I've been working since I was 15 (only time I didn't work was the couple of weeks after each kid). Don't worry about. SHe can't judge you and even if she did you are an awesome mother. Who cares what anybody else thinks.

when i was little and i woud whine and cry about things, shed remind me the people in hell want ice water. and she didnt have me till she was almost 30. so everyone says things.

Quoting BGLover  :“ I am 20 and have four I have teenage parent branded on my azz look hunny dontworry. My son turned 5 and just went to kindergarten  ”

Damnnnnnnn!!

Quoting laurenmik:“ I don't know if there is much to debate or discuss but I can't think of anywhere else to put this.. I ... [snip!] ... mother would react? Would she have more control after hours of badgering? Once a teenage parent always a teenage parent?”

My mom had me at 33 & she had three daughters before me & when I would nag & moan on her head she would also say things like ,"& I want a break," or ,"I want a million rand but that ain't going to happen." How you react to a situation has nothing to do with your age.
Personally as a teenage mother myself I would say as long as you are a good, responsible & mature mother there is no need to be ashamed.
But yes if you had you baby as a teenager the smaller age difference between yourself & your child will always be there but that does not mean you have to be ashamed of it.