Guest Post: Why do we judge young mothers so harshly? by Adrienne Bolton

I recently came across Adrienne’s blog, The Mommy Mess, while looking for other mommy blogs that I could relate to and learn from. It is comforting to find other moms that have gone through what you have or are going through what you are going through and know you can overcome your situation too. Adrienne was also a young mother so she knows first hand the struggles we go through. Please help me in giving a warm welcome to Adrienne!

Written by: Adrienne Bolton (Originally posted at The Mommy Mess)

When was the last time you offered encouragement to a young mother? Not “new” mother, but a young mother. Sometimes I forget what it was like to be a young mother. When I hear of someone that’s pregnant and their situation may not be ideal I tend to put on my judgy pants. That’s not right.

Those of you that have read me for some time know I was a young mother. It’s not the easiest thing to go through, that’s for sure. But, even though I did go through it, and know first hand how hard it is, I can still forget to remember to offer support and encouragement instead of judgement.

Was it one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to go through? Yes. Was I too young? Yes.

Was I completely clueless as to how I would support myself and a baby without any help from my sperm donor. Yes! Obviously, he wasn’t really a sperm donor, but that’s just my humor. Sperm was the one and ONLY thing he donated! Did I make a ton of mistakes in the beginning? Yes. I’m not talking little bitty feeding mishaps, I’m talking dumbest mom of the year stuff. I’m not proud of those mistakes, but I did the best I could. Do I look back at those years and wonder how in the world we made it to here?! Yes!

When I think about my nieces who are now the same age I was when I had my first child, I hope they stay focused and smart and don’t make the same mistakes I did. I Don’t want them to have to go through some of the trials I did. But, that being said, I would support them 100% if they happened to call me up and tell me they were pregnant.

Because…

Was motherhood the absolute best thing that could have ever happened for me? Without a doubt!

Did it teach me to grow up, wake up, and shape up? YES!

Did becoming a mother teach me more than any college ever could? Yes!

Did it shape me into the woman I am today? Yes.

Motherhood is by far the greatest gift I have ever been given. I am a mother of two beautiful boys. A wife to an amazing husband and father. I am blessed with the opportunity to stay home with my kids, homeschool, and take advantage of all sorts of “mommy” type stuff.  I’m a thirty-something mom. I’m at an age our society accepts and respects mothers. I’m doing the “mommy” thing, and loving every minute of it!

But, a long time ago I was pregnant and 19.

God’s grace is sufficient! He can do amazing things in our lives. He has the power to do anything! Even give a clueless 19 year old girl the chance to raise a child. He can turn that scared girl into a mother and a wife. He can take that life of chaos and turn it into a blessed family of four.

I know this, because He did that for me. I’m so blessed. My baby, who is now 13, is by far the best thing I ever did! then six years later I got to do it again. Praise God! I love being a mother.

If you know a young mother, or mother-to-be offer her some encouragement. Today just might be the day she really needs it.

Go visit her blog at The Mommy Mess. She blogs about the good and the other side to motherhood that most moms don’t talk about. She isn’t afraid to talk about the highs and lows that go along with being a wife and mother.

*Photo Credit: Adrienne Bolton

*Disclosure: This was a guest post by Adrienne Bolton originally posted on her blog at The Mommy Mess. I was given permission to repost it here on Inspiring Young Moms. All ideas and opinions within the post belong to Adrienne Bolton.