Monday, July 8, 2013

Pregnant and Parenting Teens Deserve to be Happy about Parenthood

While its easy to remember all the people who doubted you or tried to or did break you down its more important and worthy to remember the people who helped you. 

 Yesterday while Natasha-an other fierce teen/young mama advocate- and I were on twitter as part of the #noteenshame campaign I tweeted something that I know I'll always remember but I'll admit isn't always on my mind. 

When I was 15 and pregnant everyone was telling me and making me feel like I should be more ashamed than I already felt, to not show any happiness about my pregnancy, and keep my head and pride to an all time low. 

I sat there on the cold patient's table with my paper robe exposing my bare back to the cold that engulfed the room-and my heart- feeling low and sunken. 
"You don't know how far down you've fallen," these words ringed in my ears on repeat when all of a sudden they were interrupted by a bright smile and equally as bright:
"Congratulations! This is a magical moment in your life, enjoy it."


I sat there dumbfounded, slowly picked my head up, and saw the nurse whom- out of shame- I avoided making eye contact with and replied with a confused and quiet: thank you. 

She left the room and the cold I felt in my chest felt a little warmer, my head was held a little higher, and now her words repeated in my ears. 

Years would pass before I truly and fully understood and appreciate her humane and kind gesture.
What this nurse-and another one at my allergist-did with that simple sentence was create a moment and a space where I could be proud and happy about my pregnancy. 

To this day and as I write this I become emotional reliving the memory in my heart. 

I urge you to remember the POSITIVE things people have done for you as you move forward in life. I also urge you to walk with kindness and love in your heart and to offer kindness and love to all. 


Posted by at 10:20 AM

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