When my youngest daughter was at High School she had one of the pretend babies that she had to look after for 4 days. I was stunned at the looks we would get when out in public as the baby did look very real. We took note of whispered comments and shakes of heads. People were just so rude but there was one darling lady that witnessed the negative looks and came over to my daughter, smiled and then told her what a great Mum she was and told her that she had been a young Mum and just ignore all the negative rude people.
We had to explain to her that the baby wasnt real but I thanked her for her kind words anyway.

Great article and I support young mums as I was one myself. In the end I had four beautiful children by the time I was 26 and I have had a wonderful life as I have been young enough to enjoy my children and do things with them and to enjoy my grandchildren before I became too creaky to do so.

A mum is a mum no matter the age or experience and all should be loved and supported.

My best friend was a young mum. She’s an amazing mum and has been from the start. Now her child is in year 8 and she’s still excluded or left out by other mums when at school pick up due to the age gap. She’s obviously younger than the other mums and even years later and in her late 20’s now, the judgement is obvious. But the comments, judgements, being asked to leave the school she was at when pregnant, assumptions made about her and the isolation were horrible. Isolated from mums groups either completely or the hospital group of babies same age she was excluded by the other mums. Even community playgroup she stopped going as comments made by other mums or the silent treatment and not being included by other mums, she was isolated.
Any new first time mum is vulnerable, fearful and needs support but particularly a young mum. Isolating and judging them does the opposite of support at their most needy. Great article. Hope it opens eyes and increases understanding.

Isolation and judgement affects all mothers – young and old, large families and small. Sometimes it seems everyone has a comment.

My heart aches for all the young, isolated lonely mums out there. Praying people will reach out instead of embarrassing them

I was a young mum at 17 and really wish that I would have gotten a lot more support. Or even just be left alone instead of the looks and comments. 7 years on and a mum of four and it never stops.

Bringing a child to the world is amazing but it’s a big responsibility that young women need to be prepared for and need a lot of family support

Being a mum is a job you will have to hold down for a minimum of 18 years. It’s not a decision to be made lightly

Yep, for those who it was an accident for. But way too many young girls get pregnant as a way to avoid working or to keep a boyfriend. That’s not a good reasons to bring babies into the world

All pregnant mothers no matter what age, really need support!

This is a good read, I can understand this.

I hope people are more tolerant and accepting now. Family is family and each new addition should be celebrated and showered with love.

Respect for young mummas, may we never ever look down on them ! Cause who knows their story ?
My 8year old foster daughter has a 14year old half sister, who lives with her boyfriend and uses weed and is pregnant (prior to this pregnancy, she had 2 abortions). When we encounter girls like her, may we reach out.

Young mummas, the love at first sight you will have when you meet them for the first time will wipe away any doubt or fear you had. I have never experienced more joy and true love until I had mine.