My mom was a young mother herself, she had me when she was 18. We had the sex talk when I was in junior high and she made it clear that having a baby when you're a kid yourself is a very hard thing to do. We discussed my options...keeping the baby, giving him/her up for adoption, even getting an abortion. In the end I decided to raise the baby with my mom's help. I wasn't really expecting my boyfriend to stay in my life because I assumed he'd leave me and our baby just like my father did all those years ago. 

When I told my boyfriend about my pregnancy he panicked and accused me of sleeping with another guy. He had a hard time believing that he got me pregnant because he always wore a condom. He came to his senses thank god and we broke the news to his parents. His dad demanded a paternity test and forbade me and my boyfriend to see each the till the results came back. It was hard to stay away from my boyfriend at a time I needed him most. I was scared just as much as he was. Being so young we couldn't get our own place and could not afford to raise a baby with no outside help.

The nine months went by very quickly and by that time his father finally started to accept the fact that his son was going to be a dad. My mom was there for me from the beginning, she went with me to all my doctor's appointments and thankfully she was home when I went into labor. I have to admit it was a very painful experience but in the end it was all worth it when I finally got to hold my baby in my arms for the first time. Andrew was born just 6 days shy of his due date. His daddy was there to witness his son being born. We swore to each other that we would make the situation work for the sake of our baby boy. I was able to graduate high school with the help of my grandmother who watched Andrew while I was in school. I am currently taking some classes at a community college because I want to be able to provide for my son with or without his daddy's help. Although my boyfriend and I have since split up he does see his son on a regular basis and is contributing financially as well. I still live with my mom and I am very grateful for all her help and support. I could not do any of this without her. It hasn't been easy being a teen mom but I was fortunate to have lots of support. My goal is to get a degree in nursing so my son has everything he deserves and more. I love my little guy, he is my everything and I am glad I was able to keep and raise him.