Don't Be Discouraged

Being a young parent can throw all types of curve balls your way. So many things going on in your life, and it can become a bit overwhelming. Remember to not let negative comments get you down. Don't think that when your parents give you a lecture, it's just to get you upset or they think you don't know any better; it's actually because they care.
One thing that I have learned when I was a teen parent, is to keep my head up and continue on with my life. I try not to dwell on things because I have responsibilities and that includes the life I brought into this world. There were plenty times where I did become discouraged and was not sure about what to do, or who to talk too. I was so depressed when filling out applications, I was unsure of what college to attend, and I was just lost in a huge world where everyone has their own issues and mine was no where near important. Being discouraged, sad, and disappointed in myself led me to missing life. When I say life, I mean everything that was going on around me was just a blur. I could only think about, what went wrong in my life rather than thinking of all the positive that was going on and what positive things I could bring to the table. That is why I say, Don't Be Discouraged. I wasted so much time, that a few years after my first child went by and I hadn't finished school yet. I ended up getting my GED in 2007 which is 3 years after my son was born. I missed out on jobs, and even family time. All because I let the negative take over my life, and I would dwell on that.
I want to let teen parents know that you should always push forward and never look back. Make sure that no matter what goes on, you have to make sure that you set the right example for your children. Provide for them, be there for them, and show them all of the right things to do. Don't worry or even acknowledge what they negative people have to say, you just Don't Be Discouraged. 
Personal Note:
Today was a tough day for me, and felt like I was going back to the way I was when I was just 18 getting ready for my first child. I came on here because it has been a while, plus I know that Im not the only one who feels this way sometimes. As I always say, if I can do it then so can anyone else. I don't condone teen pregnancy however I know that it can happen!!! Please dont ever be discouraged, life is short, and time waits on no one......Most importantly, your child(ren) need you no matter what the case may be.

Healthy Mothers Make A Happy Healthy Baby....

Mothers and Fathers, I can't stress the fact that we have to stay healthy not only for ourselves but for our kids. During pregnancy and after pregnancy it is very important that we take care ourselves because we have to be there for them. One more issue I want to talk about is learning how to do C.P.R if you have not done so already. I will get to that in just a few. Young parents, you have to know that the little bundle of joy will be soon a burst of energy and you have to keep up. I know your thinking that it can be a bit tiring when they are infants, but trust me....there is more!! By the time your little bundle of joy turns 10 months, they will be exploring the world with their little fingers and eyes. Everything is so big to them, and amazing all at the same time. You want to make sure that you get enough rest, and eat right so you will be able to keep up with them. I know your saying, "how can I get any rest with so much to do?" Well here is a little something I have learned over the years. Number one and most important, have a set schedule. Make sure that you have some type of routine that your child can grow accustomed to. Even if you are a stay at home parent, make a schedule anyway. Breakfast at a certain time, play time, nap time, lunch etc. Stick to the plan, otherwise you could have a baby who wants to play at 3 in the morning and you are struggling to get any sleep. Number two, when your baby is a infant there are going to be times where your baby wants to be fed in the middle of the night, and well, that is just how newborns do. However, I would always take naps when my baby took naps. I know that it seems to be difficult, but believe me it works. Finally number three, make sure you are eating healthy. Believe me, when you eat right, you feel great. All bad foods tends to slow you down and you feel like yo have no energy left in your body. I promise if you follow these steps, you should be fine.
On to some more important information for our young parents. Children can get into everything, and that is why we have to great parents and learn a few things that could possibly save our children from harm. Learning C.P.R is very important and everyone in the household should know how to do so. Sometimes you say to yourself, that things would never happen in your home but that isn't true. It could happen so it is best to be safe than sorry. I would advise all young parents, mothers and fathers to be to go and sign up for classes just to be safe. You can contact your local hospital, or red cross facilities to find out when classes are held. I truly hope that you guys take heed to what I have posted, because I have three and believe me, I may not be the best parent in the world, but I love my three and I have and will do anything for them.....Hope your enjoyed this and there will be more to come........

Young parents and the future......It's IMPORTANT!!!

Today I want discuss that our children's future is very important.What I also think is very important is that most young parents don't truly look at the overall picture. What I am saying is, what are your plans for your child(ren) even though you are a young parent? When you are young and you have a baby you think of what you are going to do today and tomorrow. However, children grow and one day soon to be an adult. They may want to go to college, or need help with a car purchase. So what will you do when that time comes? Of course you want your children to have the best and succeed in life. Okay, Ill get to the point that Im trying to make. Have you opened a savings account for your kids, or even thought about life insurance? Although they may be young now, but this is the time to start thinking of what you want to do to make sure that your child has some type of back up later on down the road. Savings accounts are most of the time free, or may have a minimum balance. Then there is life insurance, you can take out life insurance on yourself and make them the beneficiaries. You never know what may happen, and I think those are great ideas for you and your family. There are also college savings that you can save for now, which is easy if you are putting $20 or $30 in when you can. I say start NOW, dont prolong it. It is very important that you think of these things now because all types of things can come about, you just never know. I wrote this blog because of a special event that happened to me today. Long story short, I paid a visit to an aunt of mine who is now in a nursing home. Being there just made me think of what the future "could" be. Let's be honest people, even though we dont want to picture ourselves that way, but we all have to age. Moving on, I sat and talked with my aunt and she made me realize that I need to plan ahead for my children not just for the moment. When my Grandmother passed away, there was confusion and uncertainty and I believe that if my grandparents would have had some type of savings or life insurance, things may not have went that way. I plan to continue putting into my children's savings, get life insurance, and I want to also make a will later on down the road. I really encourage you young parents and pregnant teens, to think ahead. Not only will this help them down the road, but this could also show and teach our children to save and take responsibility.......SAVE for OUR CHILDREN.....

Love, Lust.......Pregnancy?

Love and lust are two feelings that we often mix up. Even as an adult it can be some confusing at times. When I was a teen I can say that I fell for lust, and I can admit that it did me no good. I would say that lust is something that most experience, especially in our teen years. We think we are in love, and we have found the person of our dreams. We can't be apart from them, and we fall asleep on the phone together. Well, isn't that sweet, and so cute??!! At that time it may be all those things, but we also sometimes tend to make poor choices. Having sex, or even unprotected sex which I think is the worse of them all. We not only need to think of having children at a young age, but there are many diseases that we need to be cautious of. So what is my best advice, WAIT!! I say wait until your in a marriage with someone who you know you truly love and that person loves you back. Every child deserves to be in a loving home with both parents, and stability. Im not saying that single mothers or single fathers can't raise their children the right way because there is a absent parent, but I know how it is to grow up in a single parent home, and I had times where I wanted to reach out to my father but couldn't. My main point to the young people, is to try not to fall for lust. Get your education, follow your dreams, and love will find you when it is time. Live your teenage years that best way that you can, and enjoy it because that part of life comes around only one time. Mistaking lust for love, could lead to much more than you asked for.

LIFE.......and a BABY

Whew, is something I did most of the time with my newborn. From the crying and changing diapers all the time, it became a bit of a struggle. With that being said, if there is a time where you feel like you are going to lose your mind and just can't deal with it all........take a breather. Take a moment for your self, and just clear your head. You know most times, being a teen you are always on your phones, on the computer, and out with friends. However, if there is a time where you can just be by yourself, I would take it. Take that time that you have for yourself, and run with it. I dont know how many times my mother would tell me to just chill for a second. Now that I have three, I totally understand what she was trying to tell me when I was little younger. I also want to point out to teens, that education is key. Make sure you come up with a plan to finish school and go back. There are so many ways to get education these days that here really isn't any excuse. I dropped out of school at a early age. After I had my second child I went back and got my G.E.D. I can admit, at first I was no where near proud to have a G.E.D. but as time went on, I knew that it was good and I was sooooo elated to have it because I got it on my own. Later on just recently, I went back to get my degree. I finished that in February of this year and I am proud to say that I walk across the stage in July. I will be going back soon to get my bachelors because is important. I want to remind teens that have a baby or children that you can get an education online, or even speak with your academic counselor about splitting the classes up to line up with your schedule. Point is, there are ways to get things done and you should never give up no matter what. Remember, your little one is watching, and you have to make sure you provide a great role model for them to follow.......I know I did.

From the young parents to the older parents

I was totally shocked to find out that I was going to have a baby at the age of 18. I did not know the first thing about having a baby. I had to go the doctor all the time, make sure I was taking my vitamins everyday, and make sure that the little person inside of me was treated great even though he wasn't here yet. The one thing that I was more terrified of more than giving birth, was telling my mother. I was not sure of how she was going to react, and if she would be disappointed in me. It took me a while to tell her, and it was just as I expected it. Her eyes filled up with tears and was in total shock. I cried because I knew that I truly disappointed my mother. Here is what I want to say to the parents of the young teens having children. We all do things that we may not be proud of, and sometimes some things may be a bit more serious than others. Take the time to be there for your children, ask questions and tell them about some of the things you did so that maybe they could learn from some of the mistakes that you made when you were younger. Im not saying that I agree with teen pregnancy, but at that time that teen needs love and support. They need a plan, to figure out what is best for them and that baby. They also have to figure out what they will do about school, and what they want their future to be. I also want to remind the older parents that I think that being super strict on your kids may not be a good idea, however I do believe in rules, boundaries, and letting your teen be a teen. Older parents have to remember that if you most likely continue to say no to everything they ask for, they will more than like go out and do it anyway. Not enough parents listen to their children at all. They ask questions and never listen. I think that is all a child wants is for their parents to listen and not be judged.......