Submitted by:  Tabitha, Texas

I was 17 when I got pregnant with my first baby, and I was 19 when I had my second. When I was pregnant with my first baby, her dad and I felt everything was cool because we knew how to babysit, but we were wrong.

I love my kids more than anybody or anything in this world but when I was 18, I wasn’t worried about what my friends were doing or what guys were interested in me I was worrying about diapers and waking up in the middle of the night. I am lucky because my kid’s dad and I are still together but it doesn’t happen like that most of the time. All the teens that read this or think about having a baby really think about it. Are you willing to struggle and want everything for your child, but not be able to do that? Its really hard and it might feel good making the baby but BELIEVE me it doesn’t feel good having it. Having the baby is just the beginning, and then you might have to work extra and long hours just for your baby to have what they need. You can’t do stuff as simple as taking a shower when you want and you can’t just get up and go because you have to get baby bags ready with cups bottles, diapers and more.

It’s really not easy I love my kids, but if I knew what I know now things would be way different. I am now in school and 2-weeks away from graduation from nursing school and my kids are beautiful and healthy. This has not been an easy journey, and I want other teens to think before they get pregnant.

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