Nineteen with a Baby

      I am nineteen years old and a single mother of a handsome baby boy whom is one year old. March 27, 2011 was the greatest day of my life. It was the day my precious little boy entered this world. Getting pregnant turned my life upside down. It was the summer after graduation, I was proud to have graduated and getting ready to start the next chapter in my life, college. I had no worries... Everything was all planned out. Then I found out I was pregnant. I was probably one of the last people anyone would think of to get pregnant. I was a bright girl, I made sure to take care of myself, and I thought I knew what I was doing. I never thought it would happen to me, and I was wrong. When I first found out I was in complete shock. My first feeling about the whole thing was loneliness. My child’s father and I had broken up right before graduation. Even though we were still being together when I conceived. When I found out I was pregnant we weren’t really talking.  We were going in different directions in our lives. I didn’t know how to tell him let alone tell anyone in my family. I was three months along when I found out and I knew right away there was no option but keeping my child.  No other thought crossed my mind. Although I knew this could really tear my family apart. I was supposed to be the one who was actually going to do something with my life. My brothers all looked up to me and were beyond proud of everything I was accomplishing in life. In an instant, it all changed. I didn’t know how to embrace my pregnancy or what to think about it. All I wanted to do was hide and that is exactly what I did. I kept it from my family, friends, and even my son’s father. I went on pretending like nothing was changing. I wouldn’t go out and do anything and I wore loose fitting tops so no one would would notice the bulge. Friends would text and call, ask how I’ve been, even wanted to hang out but I always said everything was okay that I was just busy. I remember crying myself to sleep many nights because of the loneliness and the lost feeling I felt. I was afraid of what people would think and say which took a toll on me. When I finally got the courage to tell my brothers, all hell broke loose. They were mad, hurt, and upset. There was an exchange of words, that let’s just say, weren’t the nicest. It’s something we have all moved on from but that is a day I definitely will not forget. Not only did I feel more isolated but I was even more terrified of telling my son’s father. It was a decision that to this day I regret. I was about 5 months before I got the courage and realized it was now or never to tell his dad. I finally told him and I am forever grateful and thankful that he chose to stick by my side even after keeping it from him for so long. After telling him, I was finally ready to embrace my pregnancy and stop hiding. I knew my life was changing in a big way and I knew from the very beginning I loved my child more than anything. It just took a while to really accept things. My perspective on life has changed completely and everything I am doing is for him. I wouldn’t change him for the world but I do look back on things and wish I would have waited.  I would have wanted to be more financially stable and mentally ready. I had to grow up a lot faster than my friends. I am now a full time mother. I work full time, and I go to school. I’m doing everything I can to make sure my son has everything he needs. I want to share my story because I want to let girls know that it’s not easy. It’s one of the hardest things to raise a child while you are barely figuring out your way. Think about the choices you make and the consequences that can occur because of your choices. Every day is a challenge for me but I am proud of everything I have accomplished and I am more than thankful for the family I have and all the support we get.   


Written By: Megan Bustamante
Age: 19