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TwitterTeen moms speak up about Jamie Lynn Spears
The birth of Britney Spears little sister Jamie Lynn Spears' daughter, Maddie Briann, has opened the floodgates for positive and negative responses from Dish Rag readers.
But the most touching comments are from teenage girls who either are pregnant or who've had children when they were Jamie Lynn's age. Naturally, they've responded strongly and emotionally to the harsh criticism of Jamie Lynn Spears and her fiance, Casey Aldridge.
After reading their remarks, I can't help but admire these young women for their devotion and courage. Regrets? I'm sure they've had a few. Imagine yourself a teenager taking care of a child instead of going shopping, traveling, hanging out with your friends, going to the movies, heck, going to college.
But above the criticism, name-calling and negativity from people who haven't faced a teen pregnancy, let's listen to these young mothers' voices. Here are their unedited comments:
Aevasmama is due in July. And she's scared: "Hi! I just wanted to say congrats! I mean i know how hard it is because Im also pregnant and sixteen goin on 17 this year. It sucks to have all of these people talk down to you. But I hope you know wantin this baby or not you did the right thing. You let a new life come to this world to be lived. So I just heard about this and I'm happy for you. due july 23.. so soon lol ahh im scared. But just like you did I'll get through it. Best of luck girly keep your head up and don't let anyone make u feel you are a bad person in any way. You are only human. We all are, and we all make mistakes. So I wish you and your little baby girl good luck!
Meagan is 17 and pregnant: "Congratulations. I am 17 years old and i'm having a baby in august. Does that make me a horrible person? Sure im young, and i didnt expect it for many years, but accidents do happen, and people who make mature decisions like this should be granted with appreciation for being selfless and bringing life into the world instead of getting rid of it. Just think about it, and put yourselves into the situation."
Mommapookiebear is only 23 and has three kids and one on the way. But read what she has accomplished:
"I have currently turned 23 I am pregnant with my fourth child. I do not believe that having children is a horrible dumb thing. I knew several girls in high school who got pregnant because of dumb decisions. But it changed their lives. I was barely out of high school when I found out I was pregnant with my first child, and I was into the teenage life like most teenagers now days. And my daughter changed my life around. I went to college and her and the rest of my children became my first priority. Jamie and casey you have a long road ahead of you just make the right decisions for you and your child. "
Jessica doesn't think marriage is always the best tact: "I for one am 17, engaged, and have a beautiful baby boy and don't believe in getting married just because a baby comes into the world, thats why more than 80% of mariages fall to pieces and end up in divorce, which puts more stress on the mother and child so go jamie lynn you made a great choice and im proud!!! at least we that dont get married because our parents think we have to, or whatever reason and we are a lot happier."
Kelly can identify with Jamie Lynn's plight: "Jamie , i wish you all the best with your wee girl, very pretty name . Having a baby young is hard ( i was 19) but if you are determined to give them the best life possible , and make some sacrifices along the way , it can be done, my daughter is 6 now and happy and confident....your little girl will be just fine ;-)
Jennifer is 16 and raising her daughter. "I'm 16 and i have a 9 month old daughter and wouldn't change a thing, she can do it and im proud she took responsibility. my fiance is overseas in Iraq!! i love you cohen!!
Katie says having a baby when she was a teen didn't ruin her life: "I am 18 and have a 2 year old boy. sure I had a baby really young, but it didnt ruin my life. Im not saying it was easy working 2 jobs and going to school.I STILL GRADUATED WTH AN A AND RECIEVED A FULL RIDE SCJOLARSHIP! Me and my husband r very happy! Good Luck!"
Charlotte wishes people would not be so judgmental. "I am 18 weeks pregnant and only 16. So what if i'm young like Jamie lynn but people like me will make as good a mum as anyone. Everyones so judgemental upon age, when my baby is born i am going to try my hardest to support her, like any mother would. I just wish that people would stop being so stereotypical and judgemental over a new life."
Keep reading. There's more.
Mariana thinks Jamie Lynn can handle the responsibility: "I gave birth my 3 years old daughter when I was 18 years old. I live with my boyfriend (we are both 22 now) and my little girl If you can deal with your responsabilities Having a baby it´s not a problem at all. SOME PEOPLE SHOULD Stop talking about things they don´t know. It´s her life, her choice and she have a family who can help her if she needs it. And also she have the money to support her baby girl. It´s her right to do what she feels with her daughter. Leave her alone."
Christine gave her baby up for adoption: "i got pregant at 14 years old and i had him and give him away he is with a nice family that will take go care of him now i am 20 years old and i am married and i have a baby girl it is hard work takeing care of a 3 moth old baby . you are going to need all the help you can get the first 3 moths trust me i know."
This mother says her 2-month-old daughter, Kiera, watches Jamie Lynn's "Zoey 101" show: "Congratulations on your bundle of joy. I've just recently gave birth to my first in april, and its going great. Even though i got pregnant at age 19 and now im 20. and the pregnancy wast planed. I love being a mom. And i know you and Casey will do great. I believe that the people that are critising you for having a baby at 17 maybe due to what had happen to your sis. My cousin had her little boy at the age of 17 and they'er doing great. Well best of luck.... LUBS YA GIRL... O and kiera is only 2 mths old and loves to watch your show."
Young mother Samaria sends congrats to the new parents: "Congratulations jamie and casey u are new parents and should b proud. ignor what people are saying to u and get on with your life. ive just turned 20 i fell pregnant with my first baby just after my 18th birthday and i am now 6 weeks pregnant with my second baby im a good mom and proud. just because your young doesent mean u wont cope or b a good mom u be there for your daughter and listen to what your heart says not the jelous people in this world congratulations again and best wishes to u baby and casey xx
Heather knows being a young mom is not easy: "I just turned 18 2 days ago, i had my son when I was 17. No its not easy but its not for anyone, im a great mom no matter what age I am. Give Jamie a chance, she's probably a better mother than any of you dumb ass' will ever be. age is just a number, think about it."
Klaudia is 14 and having her second child. "Im 14 and pregnant with my second baby girl,. its wonderful to be a young mom. so all u haters go to hell. "
(Click HERE to read all the comments)
Photo: Jamie Lynn Spears gets a supportive hug from her older sister Britney at the Kids Choice Awards in 2003.
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The problem with teen pregnancy is that nobody respects your rights to privacy even though there are laws to protect a person and especially a minor, and you really don't have the same opportunities as other Americans because people are afraid a successful teen mom will glamorize teen pregnancy. It's like having a life sentence without committing any crime. It's kind of funny hearing politicians talking about America and opportunity for all out of one side of their mouth and then discussing teen pregnancy out of the other.
Hey, thanks for printing a lot of gung-ho stuff about how a teen can alter her life for the worse! I hope you'll follow it up with letters from abused children and kids who ended up homeless or destitute because their single moms couldn't properly care for them. A few letters from overburdened grandmas might be appropriate, too.
Also, "...the best tact"?? Please fire your copy editor. Should be "tack," as in the direction a boat takes.
I was a mom at 17 in 1995. Though, I do not regret anything and with family support I am now a very successful 30 year old I would never encourage this. What is the world coming to when you have pregnant teens on Nick? What happend to the after school specials telling us NOT to do this or the things that lead up to it? Even though I DID IT I knew it was WRONG and if you read these CHILDRENS (that is what they are!)comments you will see that these immature minds are srtill children they see nothing wrong with any of this.. so the vicious cycle will continue... That would bring me to America's economy and WHO is going to take care of these children children.. there sister isn't Brittney Spears!
I am sorry. It's not ok for 14 year olds to be having kids and for young mothers to advocate the idiocrisy. I know of A LOT of young moms that WISH they waited!
I do agree with these young ladys. I had just turned 19 when I found out I was pregnant and I had just turned 20 when I had my little girl. Because of my little girl I have changed my life so much I would not know where I would be if I didnt have her. I am now working for the State, starting college in August because I took a year off. Newly engaged. Trust me girls its the best experience in your life I would not trade anything for where I am today.God has blessed me . Just remember even though people talk down to you and saw you dont know what ypu are doing or getting your self into, just always let god lead you in the right direction and just do the best you can. Everything always works out in the end....CONGRATS JAMIE!
I have read some of these comments and I am shocked that people think America gets sexually educated. This warped and sick mindset that it's OK for young girls to grow up SO FAST and get married SO YOUNG is ok. It's a known fact that people change A LOT before the age of 25. I mean A LOT. If you have kids, your maturity is stunted because you are FORCED to speed up a natural process IMMATURELY. For the love of god, put back sexual education in schools, put flowcharts for the cost of raising kids, put the cost of what it is like for the AVERAGE American to raise a kid!! I know of A LOT of teen mothers that WISHED they had waited or TAKEN BIRTH CONTROL but because their parents were bible banging cult followers the UNNECESSARY happened. Women, take control of your lives and your reproductive organs!! When I was 13, I too wanted kids but now I am 23 and that is the last thing on my mind because I know how much it costs to live. If I had a baby that young, I would have been thrown out of the house and forced to raise it like a normal parent. Little kids that have kids are walked through, generally, by their own parents. Grow the heck up and get a clue!
If a woman needs to have a kid to point her in the right direction, there is a SERIOUS problem!! Kids should be in a STABLE environment from birth!! This is why kids are so warped on their perception of motherhood. Motherhood is NOT fun and games and I don't know of many REAL teenage mothers that run around yelling it's the best thing in the world to do. AllI see is a bunch of women who refused to truly follow their religious beliefs then cover it up with "oh, I choose the right thing." All you did was what every other species on the planet can do. Life is not sacred. It is a natural thing that occurs when two gametes from a male to female or something unisex indidivual PROCREATE. PRO as in ADDITION. Not some "gift" from above. Last time I checked, morons breed in packs. TRUE STORY!!
my cousin is just 17 years old and has a baby boy.Sure its a lot of work.
but it pays up.my lil nephew is really cute and i am happy that jamie is getting a girl.
GOOD LUCK!!
BY the way jamie
I LOVE ZOEY!!
Hi! I'm, like, 11 years old and pregnent. So am I evil just becauwe of THAT? Hey Jamie u just don't let anywon tell u ur not who u khow you are, because u ARE! And these peple don't know u so why are they soooooooo jughmental. I know i will be a good frend to my baby, just like you are, and never jugemental.
My cousin actually got his girlfriend pregnant. They were both 19 at the time but now they have a daughter who should be turning 4 in August. After she was born, they got married and now they're divorced and are no longer togethor. My cousin has custody of her now and she hardly sees her mother. I hope when Jamie Lynn and Casey get married, their marriage won't get wrecked. But I support Jamie Lynn's decision in keeping the baby. Her life won't be ruined just because she's a teen mom. My cousin's life wasn't ruined. He's now with a new girl and they are talking about marriage. And his daughter was no mistake and is now a huge joy to have in the family.