You know what else I hate? How people always look sook shocked when I say I'm gonna breastfeed! Like I won't be able to or something cause i'm young!!

I know how you feel entirely. It is fucking bull shit the lack of faith people have in young moms-- anyone who is a mother, regardless of how old they were-- KNOWS that every mother struggles, so yes, a teenage mother will struggle here and there, but does that make her any less worthy of RESPECTFUL advice and help than anyone else?

Honestly, so many people that are supposed to be "friends" and "acquaintances" of OHs and mine look down on our decision to keep our baby and the fact I ever even got pregnant-- while I know FOR SURE they've had sex, and I don't think it's reasonable to assume that a condom went on every time-- OH and I used BCP and condoms, maybe 3 times we didn't use a condom, total, and I got pregnant! Which drives me nuts bc they think they can say X Y and Z about us but it could well have been them wearing these shoes!

<3 <3 Hold your head up hun! It's frustrating but some people are so far gone they'll never change.

Tattie Darling, that made me cry I love you so much sweetheart.

You are going to be an AWESOME Mum pickle ... no-one who has ever seen how you are with children, right from when you were tiny yourself, could ever doubt that .... and I'll be there for you as and when YOU want me to be - on your terms, not mine Kaylum is your baby boy - you're the Mummy .... I on the other hand am your Mummy and it's my job to make sure that I'm here for you - ALWAYS!!!

Kris ..... you are not only a fabulous Mum, you are articulate, educated, sensible and incredibly balanced and I have never seen you give an opinion or piece of advice that I wouldn't take or give myself If other people choose to ignore your advice in favour of someone else's, then that is their loss.

What I'd say to all of you is this .... the next time someone criticises you, or makes a snide remark - look at the person doing that. Ask yourself "is this someone who I aspire to be like?" if the answer is no, then why care what they think? They don't know you, you don't want to know them .... so neither they, nor their stupid, ignorant, tabloid opinions matter one jot

I've said it before, but I'll say it again .... I've been on so many parenting forums over the years - but here, in a forum full of Teen Mums, is the only one where I have ever found a true sense of community and support. Not only are you great Mothers, but you have a compassion and empathy for others which is completely alien to those sites populated by 'older' mothers. There's no back biting, no competition, no judging people .... you are in fact BETTER PEOPLE and I love you all for it

it really really bugs me how some people are and i posted this the other day about people voicing there opinions about 'your too young to be a mum!' when they dont even know you!
i also exclusively bf'd for 14months longer then any of the postnatal women in my group, and the youngest one of then was 26! noone carried on bf past 5months! and they all started going out for meals etc when their babies were 2 months old, i didnt leave my son till he was 8months. they sit on the bench while there child runs and play, i get in there and go down the slide with my son and chase after him. so many things i think young mums do better....and do their kids get more then ours? NO!! not if we dont want it to! i know so many young mummies who went back to college studied and got great jobs!
i could go on and on about it,,,,but at the end of the day, people are judgemental and just take the typical 'chav, teen mum on benefits in a council flat, drinking and smoking and popping out babies' that is all they think about us.
it doesnt matter if you have got ur qualifications, get a good jobs, get married, own your own home its still the same.
it doesnt bother me as much anymore, becuase at nursery ash is the brightest in his class, he can read and startng to write, and hes so happy and confident, and all my friends and family say ive done great and im a great mum. so thats what really matters. just wish other people would change their opinion.

i do think one day it will change becuase alot of women are getting married earlier, 18-24 and TTC etc and its becoming more normal.

Here here!!! I was 18 when I had my eldest. My partner at the time left me because he didnt want another baby. It was him or the baby.
I chose the baby and continued my Vet Nursing course at college, whilst pregnant.
I brought him up on my own for 18 months, and worked part time wheil doing so. I was only a cashier in a supermarket, but a job is a job.
When I met my partner, he worked full time, so I gave up my job to be at home with my son.
I never really had any negative comments about being young, but have obviously heard tehm. We arnt all "Vicky Pollard"'s. We dont all dump our children with other people.
Watch Jeremy Kyle!!! There are plenty of MIDDLE AGED women that are much worse than some of the 18 year old mothers I have seen.
And to be honest, I am damn proud that I had my baby, fed him, clothed him, and looked after him all by myself, without his dad around, because Im a damn lot stronger that some people in their 30's and 40's that would have just got rid of the baby!!

Oh, and you could probably count on one hand how many times I have been out with my friends since he was born FIVE YEARS AGO!!!

i hate how ever one gets shocked that i breast feed. nurses at the hospital questioned me when i said that after shes born no bottles they said are you sure and looked at me like i was crazy. but since then my local health nurses keep calling to encorage me to keep breastfeeding because so little moms in my area do. then my health nurse also compared me to some otheryoung moms sayings shes seen them just pass the babys to their parents i was like honestly my moms lucky to hold her for very long lol

i agree with this! xx

well i think you're all good mums, or going to be good mums and i love you all
for all! x

Thanks Marie and Anna
Your both lovely
And y is it Marie whenever i read on of your posts i always wish there was the option to thank multiple times? Lol, i will take that advice about people who make snide remarks, thank u
It is also so lovely to see you and Tatties relationship - very sweet

I still cannot understand why its an accepted steriotype tho... so many of us can prove we are good parents and yet i could easily find a number of people that will insist we 'are the exception that proves the rule'
ah well
people
what ya gonna do? xxxxx