Missing out

I was sitting and reflecting on life, realizing how good I really have it compared to many others.  Then I couldn't help but think of my mother.  She sacrificed so much just to make sure my needs were met and I had a good life.  I never realized how much of my mothers childhood she missed out on because of being a teenage mother.  Things I wouldn't consider a big deal, like hanging out with friends and  being involved in school activities, they were all things my mom didn't get a chance to do because she was busy either taking care of me or working.  She even put her education on hold to be a provider, I feel like I can understand the struggle of being being a teenage mom more and I recognize the sacrifices they make.  Regardless of what people make them out to be, teen mothers are extremely strong individuals.  Raising a child isn't a walk in the park, whether your a teen or an adult, being a parent isn't easy.  Sure, there's books you can buy for parenting skills, preparation before parenthood, the whole nine yards, but I don't think books, age, or anything else is the determining factor of how good of a parent you are to your child.

The most sacrifices that teen mothers make would be giving up their education.  Hmm, a job at your local grocery store taking the place of you going to school doesn't seem like the most appealing trade off does it? Well, I'm pretty sure its not to those who chose it, but thats the sacrifice in being a mother to your child.  Many teens stop attending school because they don't have the time to balance work, school, and a baby.  Understandable.  But the bad thing is most girls settle for minimum wage jobs and end up stuck with no hopes for advancement.

Being a teenage mother has to be tough, I couldn't imagine trading a night going to my favorite singers concert with staying up for hours trying to get a baby to stop crying.  Giving up your social life for working and raising a baby isn't the best tradeoff, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I'm pretty sure girls don't grow up wanting to be a teen mom and give up their childhood, but life would be life without the unexpected speed bumps and turns we come across every now and then.  Although being a teenage mother isn't the easy task to take on, in the end motherhood is rewarding in itself.  While you may be missing out on the party of the year with your best friends, spending time with your child and watching it grow up through each stage of it's life is worthwhile.