I'm a 18 year old mum, AMA

[emily0108]

Hi, I'm 18 and have a 20 month old son. Quite often when I'm out and about with my son, I get funny looks off people. So just curious really... AMA

Did you plan to have a child so young? Are you married?

No I didn't plan to have him, but I knew from the start that I wouldn't regret having him. He's the best thing to happen to me and I'm so grateful.

Not married yet, but got engaged 6 months ago. Just started to plan 

I'm 18 with a 20 month old too so exact same position  I still find the unnecessary judgement from other people difficult to accept!

Are you still in education or are you working?

Congratulations on getting engaged. How tired do you get? We sometimes wonder if we had kids 10 years earlier, would we be less shattered?

Hundredsandmils it's very unpleasant isn't it. It's just a shame some people only pick up on the fact I'm a young mum, and don't even notice how happy, polite and clever my DS is because they just look straight through us. Worst thing is, it's usually older mums at playgyms sat with other older mums. I'm usually there alone with just my DS but it doesn't bother me that much anymore.

Theonlyliving I finished college in June and now working part time it's quite sad seeing all my friends going to Uni, but I haven't ruled it out and will most likely go back to it in a few years time.

Yawnsy thank you very much  no, I don't think it makes much of a difference. I'm still tired all of the time! I often take naps with him if I'm on top of all of my house work, he still isn't the best of sleepers!

That's reassuring. 😂 Don't worry too much about the glares from other Mums. Being different from the crowd is always intriguing. A few more years won't make a difference and if you use any spare time(who actually has this with a toddler) to do research in your field of interest, it will help with your confidence at going back to studying. Good luck.

I was a bit older than you but still a young mum. Single from when my DS was 7 months. He was the absolutely making of me and I have so much to thank him for. Other parents should not be so quick to judge!

Enjoy your wedding planning

I don’t really have an AMA as I’ve been there, though not quite as young as I was 18 when he was born. You sound like you’re doing a grand job and I promised you haven’t ruined your life.

DS1 is nearly 12 now and I’m so glad he’s around, even if he is a stroppy preteen these days.

As for the older, snobby, mums - sod them!

I'm writing as an older mum, in my 30s when I had my first, 41 by the time DS3 was born. I'd like you to know that I don't look down on young mothers, my first thought is usually " Wow, isn't she doing well" and secondly " I don't think I would have coped so well as a teenager".
Just focus on your lovely baby, and don't worry about what random strangers might ( or might not) think. If your baby is thriving and you're both happy that's all you need.