*really* young mommas! - Page 9

[female18-]

Hi girls, thought I would join in here
I had a baby at 14, hes 4 now and im 18. My parents kicked me out when I was pregnant, so we were homeless for a year and had to stay in a shelter. Ive been single since I got pregnant. Now we live in a government housing project apartment in a bad neighbourhood. Im too sick to work, we are on welfare. Im trying to figure out a way to get us out of poverty.

[goosedown77]

idea for female18

Hey, how about going to college online? It's a short term financial fix, coupled with a long term gain, and with your poor health, no worries about having to leave the house. Don't worry if you never finished high school, you can get your GED no problem. I did all this after I had by son at 17. You can do it too. I can help. Think about it, a couple hours a day spent doing school work, a couple thousand dollars in student loans (anyone can qualify) to help with bills, and you and your son can be out of poverty and on your way. Anyone who wants to can succeed in college, it isn't as hard as all the hype. I'll check back in a couple of days, think about it! Fall semester is coming up and it isn't too late. -Kelsey

[goosedown77]

Holy cow Erika! You rule!, Same to you Khourtniey. There are almost seven years between my babies, and that is a handful! You guys are my heroes lol. Oh ya, and Tisha, I totally hear you with the "shocked compliment" as you call it. Those were the moments when I most wanted to "act like a teenager" with a good old Fuck You to the condescending commenter. Am I right? -Kelsey

[female18-]

Hi kelsey thanks for that, studying online or a home course is definately what I want to do. I need to look into it all and choose a subject to study. Any suggestions? (I have my GED)

[boigrrrlwonder]

I got pregnant at nineteen and had my kid at twenty. I think of myself as young, but not that young. It's hard, because when I go to groups for young parents, none of them are AP - but the local AP group has a couple of mamas who started their families young, also...so I don't feel that wierd!

[goosedown77]

college info

Originally Posted by female18-

Hi kelsey thanks for that, studying online or a home course is definately what I want to do. I need to look into it all and choose a subject to study. Any suggestions? (I have my GED)

Well, as far as the looking into it, and the paper work and all that, it's actually pretty simple to get started. The first thing you want to do is fill out your FAFSA application, which is federal student aid. Everyone can get it, and that's where you'll get your free money, like your pell and state grants, which will pay for your tuition and books, and that's also where you'll get your loans, which will be your extra money. Go here, http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ the first thing you have to do is apply for a personal Identification number, a "pin" with the dept of education. In the "before beginning a fafsa" column, there's a link that says 'students and parents apply for a pin". Go from there. You'll need your social security number to do this. Then once that number comes in the mail, you can fill out your FAFSA online, at the same website. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ . After that they’ll send you an award letter specifying how much you’ll get. They’ll send this info to the schools you put on there as well. So before you fill out your fafsa, decide what schools are a possibility, probably the community colleges in you area and they’ll be a spot to fill that out on the form. Also, while your at it, contact the schools you like, you know, the ones with the cheapest tuition and best selection of online classes, and find out there application process. It isn’t like applying to Harvard, anyone can get into a community college. They’ll just need you to fell out a form, prove your id, and pay a small fee, which they’ll usually waive if you’re unemployed and get your hs transcripts. Then you’ll take a placement test, to see where you’re at for what classes you can take. Don’t even worry about it, I tested into pre-algebra, not exactly college level, but they’ll get you started there. Then If you do this, and they get your fafsa, you can register for classes. Don’t worry about money for books, most schools have a book store that will take it out of your financial aid, even before you get it. Then you’ll start classes, and about a week into it, you’ll get you’re big fat check. As far what you’ll study, you don’t have to decide yet, you’ll just take generals math, writing, history, science, etc, you’ll need that for any degree. I hope this isn’t tmi! : It is definitely worth it though. Let me know if you have any questions. -Kelsey

[organichic]

Well you guys are YOUNG! But look how smart you are to be here on the mothering boards! At least you are starting in the right place!

I'm 30 so probably too OLD for this thread, but I got married at 18, had my first at 19, 2nd at 21, 3rd at 24 and 4th (and final!) at 27! I wish I had started out with the the knowledge of mothering mag! I had my first 2 in a military hopsital...YIKES! Then I got smart and became a doula, had my #3&4 at HOME! I apprenticed for a yr with a homebirth midwife before I had my last baby, who's now 3. I will go back to midwifery, but for now I'm a mom and we unschool & enjoy life together!

People also gave me crap for getting married so young, but we'll be celebrating our 12th anniversary this Sept!

bryce

[goosedown77]

college info

Originally Posted by female18-

Hi kelsey thanks for that, studying online or a home course is definately what I want to do. I need to look into it all and choose a subject to study. Any suggestions? (I have my GED)

Well, as far as the looking into it, and the paper work and all that, it's actually pretty simple to get started. The first thing you want to do is fill out your FAFSA application, which is federal student aid. Everyone can get it, and that's where you'll get your free money, like your pell and state grants, which will pay for your tuition and books, and that's also where you'll get your loans, which will be your extra money. Go here, http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ the first thing you have to do is apply for a personal Identification number, a "pin" with the dept of education. In the "before beginning a fafsa" column, there's a link that says 'students and parents apply for a pin". Go from there. You'll need your social security number to do this. Then once that number comes in the mail, you can fill out your FAFSA online, at the same website. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/ . After that they’ll send you an award letter specifying how much you’ll get. They’ll send this info to the schools you put on there as well. So before you fill out your fafsa, decide what schools are a possibility, probably the community colleges in you area and they’ll be a spot to fill that out on the form. Also, while your at it, contact the schools you like, you know, the ones with the cheapest tuition and best selection of online classes, and find out there application process. It isn’t like applying to Harvard, anyone can get into a community college. They’ll just need you to fell out a form, prove your id, and pay a small fee, which they’ll usually waive if you’re unemployed and get your hs transcripts. Then you’ll take a placement test, to see where you’re at for what classes you can take. Don’t even worry about it, I tested into pre-algebra, not exactly college level, but they’ll get you started there. Then If you do this, and they get your fafsa, you can register for classes. Don’t worry about money for books, most schools have a book store that will take it out of your financial aid, even before you get it. Then you’ll start classes, and about a week into it, you’ll get you’re big fat check. As far what you’ll study, you don’t have to decide yet, you’ll just take generals math, writing, history, science, etc, you’ll need that for any degree. I hope this isn’t tmi! : It is definitely worth it though. Let me know if you have any questions. -Kelsey

[Mrs.Bufford]

Hey guys, I think I qualify. I'm 20, and pregnant (and about to pop) with my first. I'm married, stuck living with my father in law (we were supposed to be house sitting and he has been here for over a month)!

Female18: you have been through some tough sh*t! It sounds like you are a strong lady, and it also sounds like you are on your way to a financially stable life. I am having to figure out how to have an income, and my mom (who was an ER nurse for 16 years) always reminds me that hospitals will hire and train people to be clerks, or lab workers. Sometimes they will pay for school too. If you are interested in anything medical, there is money to be made and a lot of times it only takes a little time to get certified. LPNs only have to go to school for 2 years here, and radiology technicians (i think) only have to go to school for 2 semesters. If you go the full 4 years and become a Registered Nurse, you can make close to 50 bucks an hour in some places. Different places have different time frames, but its worth looking into.

[goosedown77]

Great Name

Good Advice for anyone Mrs. B, and Calliope is a GREAT name! -Kelsey

[sjccheerdoll]

Right there. I gave birth to DS two weeks after I turned 20. However, I did have an Incident when I was 15 that was naturally averted. Everything happens for a reason.

I am SO glad I've found young mamas.

[kiwirain]

I don't know if I'm a really young momma, but I had my son at 21. I'm glad to be a part of this mothering community because I have yet to find like minded parents in my town. I do AP, baby wearing, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, ect and it's foreign to most of my peers.

Anyway just wanted to say hi!

[californiajenn]

Question for all of my fellow young mamma's

How do you think being a young parent has effected your career/job?

[birthjunkie27]

I feel old. LOL! I'm 26. Had my first at 19, second at 21, and third at 24. Bradley hospital birth first baby, and homebirths for the next two. I remember the midwife at my first homebirth said I was "so mature" for being 21. She said she had a 21 yr old son and she just couldn't believe the difference. I never really thought about my age and my parenting up until that point.

Although, I do know what some of you mean by not fitting in anywhere. Now that I'm getting *ahem* older.... I find myself not feeling so "judged" by the older moms.

[birthjunkie27]

Originally Posted by californiajenn

How do you think being a young parent has effected your career/job?

If it wasn't for me being a young mom, I wouldn't even know what career path I'd want to take. It was becoming a mom and experience beautiful homebirths that made me choose to want to become a midwife. I'm starting school this semester for nursing. Fresh out of high school I had NO CLUE what I wanted to do other than get married and have babies. :

[sjccheerdoll]

Originally Posted by californiajenn

How do you think being a young parent has effected your career/job?

Before I had Aidan I was a semester away from completing my Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice (I started college early). I wanted to work for a state crime lab and I definitely didn't want a family.

Now I couldn't be happier having him... well, aside from the fact that I want to have more children. I'm doing some writing work which builds on the journalism classes I'd taken when I was a PR & Journalism major my first year of college.

[MamaPam]

Hi, everyone. DH and I got married when I was 18. We got concieved DD#1 six months latter. Had DD#1 at 19. DD#2 at 20 and DD#3 at 21. I'm now 22. I have 3 kids ages 3 and under.

Someone asked about school/career. I'm a SAHM which is what I wanted to do when I had kids to begin with. We're hoping to get everything set for DH to start his MDiv in Jan. I have half of my B.A. done and will start working on classes again some time in the near future. I'm not in any rush to finish though.

-Pam

[hibana]

I've introduced myself in here somewhere... anyway, I'm 20, so still very young.

I didn't actually have career plans, just plans to placate people for awhile before having a family. I'm really glad we started when we did. Right now I am taking online classes (see "placating people") but I can't seem to decide what I want to do besides be a mama. If possible, I plan to homeschool dd, so that takes care of the next few years.

[Milkymommi]

OK this thread caught my eye... I suppose I don't technically qualify as a super young mama NOW at 28 but I had my first DD just 1 month after my 18th b-day. I can identify. Although to be honest, most people I run into are shocked that I am SO YOUNG and have 4 kiddos and an established life. Hmmm. Way to go young mamas!!

[lastaats]

I got pg w/ my first at 19, my 2nd at 22, and my 3rd at 24.
I was a single mom w/ my oldest and married my husband (and father to my other 2) when she was close to 2. My second pg was my only planned pg, but nobody believes it since we weren't married.

I just turned 26 and i still get comments and such for having 3 kids. If i'm out w/ all 3 i've had quite a few people ask "are they all yours?". No, i saw the other 2 outside, thought they were cute and snatched them up. And it's funny to see the look on people's faces when they ask if Emma is my first and i say 3rd.

I've had doctors and nurses treat me like crap b/c of my age or marital status. And you always get those who think you can't know what you're doing and have to tell you the "right" way (family included).
I believe my aunt and uncle were hoping i'd give up my first baby to them. They were trying to adopt and it fell through. Suddenly they were super interested in me. They came by the house every day for the last month and for a couple months after i had her. If they didn't come by they would call and apologize. I would be sleeping in my room w/ Teryn and wake up to them standing there watching us sleep. They would almost take over any time they were around and wouldn't give her back to me or let me be the mama. I remember crying after they left every time. I would hide in my room and have my mom tell them i wasn't home or we were sleeping from a long day. That was one of the worst things i had to deal w/ being young (and single i suppose).