Young parenthood shaped my life in an unexpected way. It was a profound experience, with challenges and uncertainties but despite all of this it has taught me invaluable lessons that have guided me to where I am today.
If you don’t already know, I had my daughter when I was 18 years ago and it has been one heck of a ride! The lessons I will share with you in this blog are lessons I urge all young single moms to know.
Before let me share this with you, there is nothing glamorous about walking across the stage to receive your high school diploma with a growing belly.
Age is no barrier to being a great mom: Go and read that again! A child needs to be loved, nurtured and given consistency and time. Don’t allow the opinion of others to make you feel less than because of your age or current situation.
Your not the first and you may not be the last: Don’t be embarrassed of your story. You are not the first teen mom and you may not be the first. Your story is what makes you, you embrace it, own it because you never know who’s watching and who you can inspire.
It may come with goodbyes: Not everyone is going to understand that you decided to face your obstacle rather than run away from it, this is why needing to let go of friends or families, anyone is okay and sometimes very much needed.
My biggest advice for a young mom is nurture yourself, make self-care a nonnegotiable in your life. Teen pregnancies, single parenthood and motherhood can come with many challenges but it will also have invaluable lessons that will give you opportunities to grow. When you truly embrace responsibility and pursuit, you truly discover true depths of unconditional love while shattering stereotypes along the way.
And lastly, reach out, don't be ashamed or afraid to seek help. We all need a guiding light on our journey, I know firsthand that without the support or help from another, I wouldn’t have reached this point - at least not right away. Together, let’s shed light on your experiences and amplify your voice, join my free private facebook group for single moms and let’s pave the way towards growth and empowerment.
I can’t wait to get to know you better,
Jenifer xo
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