I found the article very interesting when I read it earlier. Quite frankly I am surprised she had the determination to go through with it for so long.

I was at one point a teen mom, also was in my last year of school 13th grade (Germany) doing my Abitur while being 7.5 months pregnant was 17 almost 18 at the time. Things like this happen and it was very straining to go through this experience because save for a handful of people the genral attitude from my school and/or teachers was horrible.

From snarky remarks on being totally avoided and those mournful little head shakes and snide comments like "I really thought you would be the last one for this to happen to. Look at you all straight A's you ruined your life might as well quit school now."

Funny thing I graduated 3rd best in my year and went on to go to university when my daughter was 2 years old. Working my internship overseas ( yes I had even gotten the spot eventhough I had a toddler) I met my now husband and we dated for a while once I was done with my studies we got married and I moved to the states with a nice job and all. I am still not quite seeing how I ruined my life all it takes is a somewhat supportive family and some people who will stick with a teen mom and not all hope is lost.

My daughter turned 9 a week ago and is in 4th grade doing very well in school and might be skipping another year in order to stay challenged in school.

So why am I even saying all of this.. well I get quite aggrivated when people look down on those young mothers. Yeah they likely have made some really bad decisions or maybe like in my case something with the contraceptive went very wrong and it happened anyways. Instead of looking down on them I wish people would extend a hand and still treat them like human beings, instead of putting them down maybe offering some words of courage every now and then and instead of telling them they will fail one could tell them how admirable it is that they are trying to stay in school and raise a child. Those young mothers have to grow up over night and that is not a very easy thing to do..

But then again I know enough grown women who are horrible mothers and a ton of young mothers who are doing really well. ( I volunteer with an organization helping young mothers and pregnant girls to stay in school and on top of their responsibilities because it was likely the work of a group for young mothers from pro familia that helped me get through it and stay in school so I feel I should give back in some way.)

Yes I admire the girl and I hope she gave her whole school a lesson in something everyone preaches but then forgets about it when they turn around, kindness and tolerance. Something I find to be very lacking these days. And hopefully all of those who talked badly about her behind their back felt bad as they were reminded on how they talked about her and think twice the next time they are gossiping and putting down any human being, pregnant teen or not.