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My name is Ting. I'm a mother as a result of rape from my ex boyfriend last year. Tusita is 8 months old now. I'm only 16. I love Tusita to death, but I'm having difficulty balancing Tusita and school. My mother watches her during the day, while I'm at school. Every Wednesday I get off for half a day, and every Monday I go in a few hours late. Permission of the school is required for this. I watch her on weekends too.
I know what your thinking: why didn't you get an abortion? Well, I really DO NOT believe in abortion. Whether this baby was wanted or not, she's MINE. My blood.
I just need some people who can relate to me.




This is Tusita now. (Taken at Sears)


the day Tusita was born

This guild is slow at this hour, a lot of people are busy or are eating dinner, etc. People will post, just give it time.

I really don't know what you want us to help you with. I mean, you could've gotten an abortion, especially considering your age. Being a teen mother is not easy, especially when you're still in school.
At least you have your mother to watch your baby instead of having to take her to a daycare or pay a baby-sitter to watch her.

It might be best to drop out of school, if you're having a tough time balancing the two. A lot of teen mothers drop out, and go back when their child is older. Or you could try looking for a high school that has a daycare for people in your situation. (There is a school locally where I live that is for high school drop-outs, basically "the problem kids", but they also offer a daycare because some of their students are teen parents.)

I must say Tusita is a very beautiful baby and she looks happy too. She was your choice to keep and yours alone. No one has the right to question your choice.

I am sure you'd be interested in the Gaian Prarent's Guild. I don't have the link, but I am sure Nikolita has it in her links thread. You'll probably also be interested the rape support sticky.

Balancing school with being a young mother is usually one of the toughest things for a mother of your age. It sounds like you have a support system, which is great. I am sure knowing that your mother is helpful, let's you concentrate on studies while at school. While at home and trying to do your homework with Tusita around. Try reading your textbooks outloud. She'll feel as if you are giving her attention and you'll be getting your reading done while also reading to her. It might even help her go to sleep. Sort of like a story time but with textbooks instead of fairy tales. (My mother used to do this with me, she said it worked wonders and contributed it to my good grades. lol)

How old is she? If she is old enough to play with crayons and paper. Let her do so while you are doing your homework. It'll make her feel important and as if she is being included. When she gets a little older (one-three) You could start making her little worksheets with shapes she can trace and color. ( A coloring book perhaps.)

It'll sort of be like an established learning time for the both of you.

Good advice. 3nodding
And yes, the link for the GPG is in the Links sticky. Some of the guild members have it in their sig too.

It's an awesome guild. biggrin My guild is more directed to teens and teen-orientated problems, whereas the GPG is geared more towards pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting. It's basically for anyone who has kids, but you can be a supporter too (supporters being those who like the guild, but don't have any kids of their own). 3nodding

I respect you. I'm more or less against abortion but in your situation I would have said it was ok. You have a very beautiful baby that you should be proud of. I hope people are proud of you to. I am.

Sorry I can't relate though.


I agree in this being a good idea. It was more or less what I was going to say 3nodding

No, do NOT drop out of school!!! In the long run...staying in school will help you and your baby. I am 16 too... think about how you are going to support your child without a high school diploma?

Btw...I'm very proud of you for not doing an abortion!!

I, personally, don't believe that to always be the best solution. In the long run, it may be easier to stay in school now. I've heard a lot of other's say that once they dropped out it was terribly hard to get back into it. This is another one of those things that should be a personal choice. Maybe you should talk to your Mother about the trouble you are having? She could possibly figure out a way to help you become more organized between your baby and school.