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Yes! At 17 I had my son. I could no longer live with my family and found myself a bed sit. I worked and looked after my amazing son . I became a single mum but moved into a house. Working multiple jobs to pay the bills. Relying on friends for childcare. Until I got a break... https://twitter.com/antinouns/status/1328551482598313985
I started working and volunteering as a youth worker, then started doing administrative work & working with young offenders. I found my neesh but couldn’t find time or the money to study, work and cover the bills. So worked my way up in the local council while doing bar work.
I was in my house for 13 years and moved house and job so Kurt could go to a better upper school. Having time now he was older I started to work and study. I had a huge career change 7 years ago. I went from supporting young homeless high risk young people to PAing again...
I joined a company in a sector I knew nothing about and took a large wage drop. I worked two jobs to keep the roof over our heads. Then was able to work hard enough to be promoted. I took exams, took on extra work and worked hard to be promoted so I didn’t need to work 2 jobs.
Over the last 7 years I have worked hard and studied at every chance I had. I took on some amazing mentors and read endlessly to try and help improve our lives. It’s so difficult when your being constantly judged for being a teen mum. A few weeks ago I took a huge risk...
And went for a promotion. Which for me is a big deal as I have to know I can do the job and believe I can do it to even go for it. I got it.
I’m now 41 & my son is 24 and we are at last comfortable.
I’ve managed to buy a house and my son is working full time. I’m so proud of us
I’m now 41 & my son is 24 and we are at last comfortable.
I’ve managed to buy a house and my son is working full time. I’m so proud of us
There were times I could hardly afford to eat, times where I went to bed early as I couldn’t afford to put money in the Electric metre and times of elation when I passed exams I thought I could never pass. There were times I was in debt. But my sons been worth every second.
There was a time I was ashamed to say I was a single teen Mum. When people told me “you made your bed now lay in it” all that negativity, the people that wanted me to fail so they could say I told you so. I’ve proved wrong. Part of me hope it’s helped lift the stigma for others.
There is one thing you can all do for me.When you see a young person struggling or someone who needs benefits to help them have a leg up. Don’t judge, instead use that time to ask if they need help.Small thing make a big difference. Stigma lasts years & is a heavy burden to carry
