Teen Parenting Stories: Young Voices of Strength and Growth

Grace’s Story (17)

“I was running to the bathroom between classes during my senior year, trying to hide my morning sickness. My purple prom dress started rumors, but I was hoping to keep my pregnancy secret. I had planned to leave New Orleans for college, and I wasn’t sure what to do.

I thought about having an abortion, but in my soul, it didn’t feel right. I definitely don’t regret my decision now. It’s been hard being a teen parent, but I feel like I’m a little bit ahead of the curve in some ways.

After graduation, I had my son, Hassan Jr. I tried taking classes at UNO while caring for him, but it was just too much. My high school sweetheart—Hassan’s father—had a scholarship to Grinnell College in Iowa. We got married, and I moved there with him for three years.

In Iowa, I earned my associate degree and worked several jobs. Hassan and I would trade shifts so one of us could watch our son while the other worked or attended classes. During that time, I had our second son, Hosea.

After my husband graduated, we moved back to New Orleans in 2019. I had our third son, Huey, and found a program called Generation Hope that helps teen parents. I’ve gotten free counseling, tuition support, activities for my kids, and mentorship. I was especially grateful to be paired with a mentor who also has an autistic child, since two of my three boys have been diagnosed with autism.

I wish Generation Hope would have come to New Orleans before. If they had a program like that when I was in high school, everything would have been different.

Now I’m working on my bachelor’s degree remotely and I’ve self-published a book called ‘The ABC’s of Autism.’ I encourage other teen moms to believe in themselves, because with support, you can still achieve your dreams.”

Ashton’s Story (17)

“I was 17 when I took that pregnancy test at Southeastern Louisiana University’s student clinic. I hadn’t expected to get pregnant so young, and I had no idea what resources were available to me. My pregnancy was especially difficult because I had severe nausea—hyperemesis gravidarum—and needed to be hospitalized several times. I even had to carry around a portable IV pump.

I eventually broke down. I tried to hide it from my mom as long as I could, but I finally had to admit, ‘I need help.’ I scheduled a meeting with an adoption counselor, but changed my mind when my family promised to help me raise my baby.

In 2016, I had Harper-Layne. I loved her instantly, but I struggled with postpartum depression afterward. It wasn’t easy, but I kept pushing forward. I eventually got an associate degree from Baton Rouge Community College and a full-time job at the East Baton Rouge Clerk of Court’s Office. I even self-published a book about my family’s struggles with addiction.

I’m now married and expecting my second baby, and having a supportive partner has made all the difference. Looking back on my experience, I believe girls need to be supported. They need to be told there’s help out there and not made to feel ashamed or alone. Knowledge is power: knowing what your options are, knowing your body, where you can go for help—it will make all the difference in the world.”

Toni’s Story (13)

“I got pregnant when I was 13. I was in sixth grade in Jena and knew little about sex, other than my boyfriend was pressuring me for it. I credit my grandmother for not giving up on me. Despite my young age, I gave birth to a healthy baby girl, Jalisha, in 1989.

I was still a baby myself—with a baby. My grandmother taught me that this wouldn’t define my life.

I almost immediately got pregnant again at 14, which filled me with so much shame that I didn’t seek prenatal care. That decision nearly cost me my life: I started bleeding when I was seven months pregnant and hemorrhaged.

When my premature daughter needed to be transferred to New Orleans, I didn’t have transportation to visit her. When I eventually saw her in the hospital and understood the medical care she needed, I knew I couldn’t provide it. I decided to allow another family to adopt my second baby, and we stayed in touch.

You don’t know how bad I got looked at when I had those babies back to back.

I had my third baby when I was 19. Then my life took a turn for the better: I got my GED, went to vo-tech school, and social workers encouraged me to become a certified nurse aide. They bought me uniforms, shoes, and books. I also met my husband and had two more children with him. We had many good years together before he died from COVID in 2020.

I’ve been a mother my whole life. I had a happy life with my husband. I had one that was amazing. I’ve had a really good ending.”

Ke’Shawn’s Story (16)

“I had a series of struggles after I found out I was pregnant at 16 in Westwego. While my parents were mostly supportive, my first doctor terrified me, telling me I should have both a hysterectomy and an abortion because I had ovarian cysts. A second physician assured me that I could have my baby, but that I’d need surgery to remove the cysts first.

After surgery, I developed severe preeclampsia. The doctors had to induce me two months early because the only cure is giving birth.

I was terrified. I hadn’t even unpacked everything from my baby shower. I wasn’t prepared mentally, physically, or emotionally.

My son, Ja’Quan, was born in 2000 during my summer break. He needed a week and a half in neonatal intensive care. He had seizures early on, but eventually grew out of them.

I was one point short of passing the LEAP test. I decided years later to try again after having a second baby at 19 and working minimum wage jobs. I passed and got my high school diploma seven years after my original graduation date.

I then got associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice, had two more children, and got married. Ja’Quan is now 23 and coaches football in California.

I also spent time in therapy and counseling, unpacking how being molested as a child changed the course of my life. I work with a nonprofit that supports former inmates.

I want to be that person for other people that I needed. Some teen moms are more than just statistics, some really beat the odds even when they are lined up against them.”

Jessie’s Story (15)

“I got pregnant when I was 15. It was the first time I ever had sex.

I grew up in a big family—loud, fun, always together. I spent a lot of time with my older sister’s friends, which meant that as I was 11, 12, and 13 years old, I was hanging out with 14, 16, and even 18-year-olds.

I started partying with them early, smoking and drinking from middle school on. My mom didn’t really know many of the things I did. When I was in 7th grade, I started dating one of my sister’s friends, a 9th grade dropout.

I was 12 when we started dating, and we didn’t have sex at first. He didn’t pressure me either, but his friends would tell me how we had to have sex or he’d leave me. Eventually, I felt like it was just the next step for us.

Our first time having sex, I didn’t enjoy it—I was uncomfortable and mortified. After the first time, I didn’t want to do it again. If he asked, I would make up excuses. But after a month, I missed my period. Another month, and I missed it again. Deep down, I knew what was happening, but I ignored every symptom.

One day, I was at a basketball game cheering, and I got sick. In the bathroom, two of my friends came in to check on me. That’s when I told them I was pregnant. They told my teacher, who told my guidance counselor—this ended up being a blessing. She was the first adult I talked to about it and was very encouraging.

When I finally told my mom, what stands out most in my memory was how excited she was: ‘AWE! We’re going to have a baby!’ That stuck with me, because even if she was disappointed in me, I knew she was still excited there would be a baby. I felt so much relief.

My daughter, Brianna, was born prematurely at 27 weeks. I watched her fighting for her life for 40 days in the NICU. That was really scary, but I could feel the prayers of my boyfriend’s family and mine carry us through that time.

I graduated high school on the principal’s list, got married, had two more kids, and entered a career in the pregnancy care world that I love. Brianna is now grown up and married with a little girl of her own.

Who knew that what I thought was the most hopeless moment in my life would lead to so much hope, joy, and fulfillment?”