Dealing with Criticism/Judgement

[lucycrystal]

hello,
thats sucks but i know what you mean... i got it off complete strangers...
as for the people that say 'your so young' you are at the age your body was ment to have babies... just because when they were your age they were to immiture to have a baby thats them not you...
as for people rubbing your tummy... i hated that... when they rub your tummy, rub theres... see if they like it hahaha
anyway... dont worry about them they clearly dont know you and how happy you are...

it doesnt matter how old or young you are... babies are still the most amazing, difficult, beautifull thing that will happen to ones life.

[aaronismine]

I was married at 19 and preggas 5 months later. I remember the looks.

I don't think anyone rubbed my belly, but i did avoid people i didn't know and the people i did know asked first. But i always thought if someone rubbed my belly i'd say "What? Do you think a genie is going to pop out or something?"

[Bubsta]

Heya Missbehave.
I got alot of what you are getting as well, I fell pregnant with my 1st at 17, had her 3 days after I turned 18. I copped alot of judgement, alot from my nana, and older brother, so much that i was going to do what they all wanted and abort her, because I started to believe what everyone was saying "how am i going to cope being so young having a baby" "How are you going to provide a good home when your so young" "your going to amount to nothing and are selfish having a baby" I got it all.... But what truly counts and matters is what you and your husband want and are happy with, and obviously having a baby is a great thing and you both are happy, yeah sure its hard having a baby young, but so is having a baby old, middle aged or anything else... having your first baby is always hard and takes alot of getting used to etc, but you seem like a very head strong girl who is pointed in the right direction, so take thier comments in one ear and out the other. They will probably all forget what they are thinking now once they are holding your little bundle. I gave birth 4 weeks ago to my 2nd baby and I'm only 20 i stil get alot of slack, but because I'm engaged now its considered "ok" to have a baby. Good luck hope the time goes quick so you can be holding your little one soon!!

[Ashleigh<3]

Looks like you and I have a lot in common.
DF will be 24 in Feb, I'll be 20 in August.

When your babies born, you'll hear those comments, and you probably wont even be able to acknowledge them, you will be so happy-over the moon with your girl, just like i was Those people will look like idiots when they realise how uneffective their plan to belittle you turned out!

Congratulations btw, be glad you've been able to experience so much more joy in your life while you were young too! Leaving plenty of room for more when you get older!

[juzzy]

I think i have been fairly lucky with this whole comments thing. Thankfully no one has really said anything to me in regards to being pregnant.

i am 22 and DP is 24, we arent married or engaged as yet and once our baby is born i am expecting more comments off people as i still look fairly young.

As others have said, it is unfortunate that random strangers feel the need to comment when they dont know about your circumstances at all.

I guess at the end of the day, the best thing you can do is ignore the negativity that seems to be out there and focused on apparently "young" mothers, even tho not too long ago it was considered the norm...

[MissSparkle]

Im sorry u've had to cop critisism from family. I did abit to the first time around.

I first fell pregnant when I was 17 and in the middle of Year 12. I had my DS not long after I turned 18. My grandmother never said anything to my face but she wrote me a letter saying things I found horrible. Pretty much what ur family have been saying to u.

DF and I are engaged but not married yet and we are expecting #2 in July (Im now 20) and my family were so much more excited initially than they were last time.

[ButterflyMama]

Thank you to everyone for your amazingly supportive comments and feedback. You're all amazing women. It's really nice to know that sometimes, we're not the only ones going through what we are. It's not always easy to remember to let the bad stuff go in one ear and out the other, but it's great knowing we're not alone and we're here to support each other.

[djkinks]

I'm also 19 and due on the 19th of April and get a lot of looks and comments from people in public and at work. The other day I was in the staff room (I work at a supermarket) and the assistant store manager asked how my pregnancy was going, i replied (as I almost always do) "fine thanks". She then began talking with other staff (while I was in the room) about how her friend is 34 and this is the "perfect" age to get pg. Others joined in mentioning how silly it is to get pg young. I was dumbfounded. I'm so glad I go on leave soon

[juzzy]

I'm also 19 and due on the 19th of April and get a lot of looks and comments from people in public and at work. The other day I was in the staff room (I work at a supermarket) and the assistant store manager asked how my pregnancy was going, i replied (as I almost always do) "fine thanks". She then began talking with other staff (while I was in the room) about how her friend is 34 and this is the "perfect" age to get pg. Others joined in mentioning how silly it is to get pg young. I was dumbfounded. I'm so glad I go on leave soon

yeah thats pretty rude, i would have said something!!

[Jodiee]

OMG Jessie
Hold you head up high babe!
I wish Id started earlier, I had my first bub at 24, and I truley wish now that I had her at 19 or 20, it would have been terrific.
My second cousin is 19 now, and just found out shes pregnant with her 2nd (1st is 8 months old), she is in a great relationship, and is a fantastic mother, with all the patience in the world!

I say good on you guys, and ignore all the comments from the 'know it alls'!