Senior year was a great year for me. I had formed strong friendships, participated in varsity sports, great grades, and held a job at the mall. I dreamed about what I wanted to be and where I wanted to go away for school. I always dreamed of traveling but didn’t know how I’d leave home. I applied to a few schools out in Boston and was accepted. I was starting to finally have an idea of what my next step was and life threw me a wrench. I found out I was pregnant. There was no way I was leaving home or running off to college as a teen mom. Just like that my life was changed.
Everyone wanted to tell me all the ways this was going to make my life hard. I knew I was tough though and that I was willing to pull up my sleeves, be a good mom and be all that I could be. After all, if I didn’t fight for myself what kind of life could I provide my baby? When I had him I always made sure that I kept going. I always refused to give up and I never allowed anything to be a road block. Having a baby as a teenager didn’t make things impossible, it only made them harder. I still went to college full time, I still held down a job, and I was still a great mom.
Being a teen parent could have been devastating. I could have said it was too much. I could have said that as a single mom I couldn’t manage it all but I only used those as reasons to make sure I worked harder. I was tough because I had to be a role model. I was tough because someone else depended on me. I was tough because tough was the only thing I could be.
Brawny® Paper Towels and Wipes have always stood for good old-fashioned toughness. That’s why Brawny® wants to share the inspiring stories to those everyday heroes out there – the folks who truly define what tough is.
I’m so proud of you and the mother you are to your children! You definitely are tough.
You are such an amazing woman and mom! Your strength shows!!
I have been through a lot, and am being tested right now. Trying to strong.
You are a strong woman and a devoted mom to your 3 handsome young sons. Your story is an inspiration for teenage moms. Thank you for sharing your amazing journey with your readers. 🙂
Oh, I forgot your question: What makes you “Tough to the Core”?
My positive attitude in life through its roller coaster of ups and downs as I live with the many challenges of MS.
More importantly, not letting MS be a priority in my life and focusing on the many blessings and wonderful experiences I enjoy with my husband, 2 children and 2 grandchildren. 🙂
I know exactly how you felt as a high school student finding out you are pregnant. I too graduated high school pregnant with my first baby. Life has a funny way of planning things for you. While my life has been tough being such a young mom, when I look at it from my husband’s point of view my daughter saved him and changed his life. She truly was the best thing that happened to us!
Being a single mom is tough, but also being a teen is even harder. Johnny is lucky to have a mom like you.
You are definitely tough and such a good mama bear. I’d like to think I’m tough for my family.
You are truly an inspiration and proof that teen moms can succeed.
I wish my adopted daughter could have learned from you,,I too was a teen mom,I married at age 17 and became a mom 2 months before my 18th birthday,,my foster daughter we adopted didn’t do so well,she became a mom at age 19 and then again at age 21,,the state took her babies away,,and my other daughter got custody of them they were ages 1 and 3 ,,she has had them a year now,,and she has 2 boys of her own,,she is a awesome mom to them all,,hopefully my adopted daughter will grow up an see what she has missed,,It was hard but it is doable if a effort is made
Tough is exactly your story, what a inspiration you are to others, was very happy to read this post. Tough is sometimes the only choice we have, but a great one.
Definitely an inspiration. I wish more young moms realized how successful they could be if they truly want it. You can accomplish amazing things. Thanks for sharing your inspiring story.