By: Linda Thompson
Updated: November 21, 2014
Originally Published: August 19, 2012
“You are NOT keeping this baby,” I asserted firmly. My 20-year-old daughter, Mia, met my gaze with unwavering determination. The clash of wills had begun.
This wasn’t Mia’s first trip down the motherhood path. Two years prior, at 18, she had welcomed her first child, a son, whom she chose to place for adoption. I remember sobbing all the way home from the hospital, while Mia sat on our living room couch for weeks, recovering from a C-section and drowning out her pain with sleep.
With this new pregnancy, Mia excitedly shared her “big news,” jumping right into the baby name game. Her two younger sisters looked on in disbelief and horror. Her roommate, well-meaning but often distracted, promised to help raise the baby when she wasn’t busy working or recovering from a hangover. Three months later, that partnership crumbled, and Mia found herself without a place to stay.
After a stint at my in-laws, she landed at a local shelter for expectant mothers, which branded itself as a “boot camp for pregnant women.” It was clean and secure, but far from quiet. Just weeks before her due date, however, she was asked to leave for not adhering to the rules.
“Not surprised,” I thought, but kept my mouth shut. Mia cried softly on the other end of the line. Yet, over the past seven months, I had witnessed her remarkable resilience. With quiet bravery, she managed to acquire maternity clothes, enroll in Medicaid, and attend every prenatal appointment. She participated in parenting classes at the shelter and even organized her handouts in a notebook. For the first time, she began to ask for help when needed, and express gratitude when she received it.
As I listened to her tears, I felt her fear and exhaustion. She needed her mother. “You’ll be okay,” I reassured her.
On Monday, August 12, 2013, at 10:30 AM, Mia gave birth to her daughter, Ava Marie, who weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces, and measured 20 inches long. She was healthy, lively, and had a set of lungs that could fill a stadium. I fell in love instantly.
I filled Mia’s hospital room with balloons and slept on the couch until she was discharged. When the time came, I drove her and Ava home, helping her with the baby’s first bath.
Today, Mia is a dedicated single parent, attending weekly counseling sessions and gratefully accepting government assistance as she strives to build a stable life. She has plans to go to cosmetology school and has blossomed into a loving, capable, and protective mother.
They say it takes a child to raise a responsible adult. I am privileged to have witnessed this truth unfold. If you are considering your own journey into parenthood, check out some of our resources like this fertility booster for men and learn more about pregnancy week by week at March of Dimes.
In summary, my experience with Mia has been a rollercoaster of emotions, but seeing her grow into motherhood has been a profound journey. From facing tough decisions to embracing her role as a parent, Mia has shown that support and perseverance can lead to remarkable transformations. Whether you’re navigating your own path or considering options like Cryobaby’s at-home insemination kit, remember that every journey is unique.
Keyphrase: “parenting journey”
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