I had my first child at 18 years old, He was planned although little did I know that when I was just 8 weeks pregnant my partner would tell me to "get rid" of it as he didn't want anything to do with me or "it" and also was delightful in telling me no one would want me if I had a baby.
I decided to go through with the pregnancy and now have a delightful 6 year old. However it wasn't easy and was a lonely road.
I had the support of my mum and although I appricated it some times I felt pushed into her ways of parenting.
I moved out into my own place when my son was 4 months and I remember at the time I felt so grown up.
It was only when my friends stopped coming round as much did I realise that I had made a huge mistake.
I had thrown my teenage years away, I couldn't go clubbing when I had a baby, I could go on dates either. I was all alone with a small child and no way of supporting us.
I struggled on for the next two years and finally went back to work when joshua was 2. It was arround then I met my husband who became the father my son never knew.
I don't recommend planning a baby at this age but I personally don't agree with abortions, If you are young mum do get a good support circle. I didn't go to play groups or anything when I had my son. When I had my daughter at 23 I went to my local sure start centre and found so much help and support there info in my sure start review.
I think I didn't realise that people change and that sometimes in life you move in circles different from friends I didn't expect that but through my children I have met some wonderful people who I love dearly.
So although being a teenage parent is hard work being any parent is the most rewarding thing you can do and I don't regret any minute of it.