Baby 101

I find it the most fascinating thing that nobody really cares if people are married any more when they're having babies - it's as if the progression from marriage to children is backwards and everyone thinks it's peachy. In my humble opinion, it's less about what one kid did, though I'm glad she had her baby, and more about how we as a society refuse to admit that there's a logical way that life generally works out best, and that is what we encourage our kids towards, what we get excited about, and what we hold up as a standard or model to follow.

I dont think the issue is about whether or not she can raise her baby, nor do I think it is about all of us out there who did raise our babies when we became pregnant teenagers. What this is about is the messege we send our children when we post spreads about celebrity teenage mothers. I would like to see an article about the real price of motherhood. The 17 year old mother who gets no sleep because she is up with her sick baby all night, not going out and hanging with her friends because she can't find a sitter, missing school to deal with daycare issues and working full time on top of going to school to support her baby. These are real issues that mothers, young and adult deal with every day. Yes, this article does glamorize teen pregnancy. You put a cover spread about a young mother who has plenty of money, time and support and the other issues are issues she wont have to worry about. She can hire a nanny, she can buy a house, she can do whatever she wants. These are choices she has, and I am glad she does, that most young mothers don't. As for the teenagers that read the story, well, the fact is they are kids. Kids who look up to her. Kids who dont understand the real consequences of parenthood. Yes, we can be successful mothers at a young age, the question is, should we? As for the comment about 20 years ago mothers had kids young and nobody thought about it, that is simply not true. 20 years ago my mother thought about it, and so did every mother I knew. Several generations ago people married young and became parents young, but the world has changed, it is more global, and the consequences are more severe. I dont have a problem with the cover story, but I think another one should have been printed in the same issue about what it is really like for a teenage mother. It isn't easy. Furthermore, perhaps they should have found somebody that has been a parent for longer than it takes the birth hormones to wear off, find a teenage mother that has a 2 year old. Talk to her about it.

Age has nothing to do with how good of a parent you can be....She'll have lots of help. Let her live her life!

It's her life. Teen pregnancys happen. Age has nothing to do with how great of a mother you can be. People need to let her raise her baby & leave the negative comments to themselves.

THis article doesn't glamorize teen pregnancy, it glamorizes GOOD PARENTING! There are plenty of women in their 30's, 40's and even 50's who are terrible mothers. What truely matters is that our children are LOVED. While ideally she would have been married and maybe older, she is doing the best she can with the situation she was given. I had my daughter at 19 and with my HUSBAND. I got plenty of eye rolls with people assuming I was a knocked up teen, but now that my daughter is happy, healthy, well mannerd, smart, sweet, polite, and LOVED people often take back their comments. We are WONDERFUL parents,young or not. I realize that it's 2008 and women should want careers and families later in life, but that is a personal choice. Women and grl are still wired with a maternal instinct and some ac upon it. All I ever wanted was to be a mother, and I'm doing wonderfully at accomplishing my dreams. No matter what our creed, color or religion, as long as our children are loved that is all that matters. My daughter does not care how old I am, she cares that i love her and she trusts me as her mother. Yes, parenting is hard fo ranyone of any age. But a little maturity, and patience and love, we can all succeed!

Nobody had a problem with woman having kids at a young age 20 years ago, when the majority of woman were married and had at least one child by the age of 17/18. They were not thought of as a child raising a child or an unfit parent. It has been only in recent years that woman started postponding family life and marriage until they need some sort of medical help. Biologically a person of 17 years old is a MUCH better candidate for a getting pregnant and having a healthy baby. So biologically we should be having kids in our late teens and not late 30's. So why don't people start slashing on the woman who waited until she had enjoyed her independance, done what she wanted to do and then when she finally got sick of it she had IV?
The problem isn't that teenagers can't be responsible, the problem is that now we are not expected to be responsible until you are through with partying at college with friends.

I do not think this article glamorizes teen pregnancy, but glamorizes GOOD PARENTING. In the end that is all that matters. There are PLENTY of women, in their 30's and even 40's who are terrible mothers. Yes, ideally she would be married and a little older, but that's not what happened in her case, and she is making the best of it. Who could blame her for that? Just because it's 2008 doens't mean that girls/women don't have that maternal need and instinct. While more women are chooing careers and children later on, it's a PERSONAL choice. i Had my daughter at 19 BY CHOICE with my HUSBAND. All i ever wanted to be was amother and I have accomplshed that goal, I don't know why people think that is an awful dream to want. WHile it is hard it can be one of the most rewarding experiences! There were plenty of people who rolled their eyes assuming I was a knock up teen, but when my daughter was extremly loved, cared for and adored by us, people thought twice. SHe is extremly well mannered, smart, beauiful, and LOVED. She is confident and trusts us as parents. ONce again, that is all that matters. She doesn't care how old I am, she cares that i love her. While raising a child is hard it is possible to do if you are mature enough and accept the responsibility. NO matter what color, creed, religion you are, love your children and they will flourish.

Teen pregnancy was around long before Jamie Lynn Spears ever did it. I was a 17-year-old when I had my son who is now 15 and he is a great kid. Parents just need to let their children know what sacrifices they have to make when this happens. I don't think this story glamorizes teen pregnancy. Its the parents responsibility to let their children know that being a teen and being pregnant isnt always what its cracked up to be. Jamie Lynn Spears is financilly stable and can afford it, most teens cant.

I was 16 and UNmarried when I had my 1st child. I went to live at an unwed mothers home so I could finish my 11th grade. Then I attended night school for my senior yr so I could get my diploma (not GED) just one yr later than I would have otherwise. My mom was very supportive. I went on to marry, have more kids, divorced, went BACK to college for 3 yrs. then went to work again. Jamie CAN be a successful and good parent.if she CHOOSES t oput her child's interests ahead of her own.

I was 16 and UNmarried when I had my 1st child. I went to live at an unwed mothers home so I could finish my 11th grade. Then I attended night school for my senior yr so I could get my diploma (not GED) just one yr later than I would have otherwise. My mom was very supportive. I went on to marry, have more kids, divorced, went BACK to college for 3 yrs. then went to work again. Jamie CAN be a successful and good parent.if she CHOOSES t oput her child's interests ahead of her own.

Itskinda true most of the reasons people dont want teens [regnant is because of money issues but jami lynn has that issue covered and she already has a boyfriend yes he could leave her but many older people also get divoriced and carrry there kids along with them and find new people. It does glamorize teen preganancy but the teens also have to understand thier situitation and how much responsibiltiy a baby really is, and also what thier parentswould think of it.

Baby Maddie will be thankful that this is a story about her mom choosing life for her. I was married at 17 and had my first baby at 18. 5 kids later and 22 years we are still going strong. Jamie took responsibility for her actions and did the right thing. The best to her and baby Maddie.

The glamorization of teen pregnancy NEEDS to be stopped! Our society rewards teen mothers with a lot of handouts. With free daycare, schooling, food and cheap housing, why not have a baby at 16? My friends that had babies in high school lived high on the hog. I went to college, graduated, got married, had a baby and still work my butt off to pay for it. If teen parents had to work to support themselves, there woulnd't be as many pregnancies and there would be more adoptions. (There a millions of good parents out there that cannot have children.)
I know that Jamie Lynn has money but as a high school teacher, I have yet to meet a single teenager that is ready to be a parent. We need more education and prevention to stop kids from having kids!

Well I happen to be a 20 year old first time mother. I am a great mom to a six month old BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL. I have a little sister who is seventeen and now has two childern. Her children are 1 1/2 years old and 5 1/2 months old. We were pregnant at the same time and didnt know it. I was sooooo scared but she helped me through it all. She has tought me so many exciting, great, things that I am very fortunate for. Are little newborn girls are going to grow up together and be like sisters. Anyhow moving on ... to tell the truth I wasn't half the person my little sister was before I got pregnant. She has always been a great teenager. She hasn't partied liked most of the other girls around our age. Funny thing is she never even talks about other people. she says it's a waste of life talking about others. She just knew her babys dad since she was little and he used to comeover with all of the other kids and play outside. I guess this boy grew up and wasn't the same little kid anymore. My sister isn't one to judge people as even with all the times she has been judged. Well again anyhow.... Life has it's up and downs, everything happens for a reason. and its not like ms spears or my little sister had this planned. And EVERYONE NEEDS to quit prentending that these young mothers set bad examples. BECAUSE MOST of you need to open YOU PRETTY LITTLE EYES AND UNDERSTAND THAT TEENAGERS HAVE ((SEX)) ohhh yes they do....SURPRIZE ,,, it is you older mommies who don't want to think about it. one more this people also need to understand that these TEENAGE MOTHERS CAN YES I SAID CAN (( RAISE A CHILD)) BECAUSE when a 15/16 year old has a child they can have the SAME FEELING AND UNDERSTANDING as an older woman. It changes you ... there are many ways for even the AVERAGE TEENAGE MOTHER TO RAISE A CHILD >>>>>>Financilly !!!!!!! I am sure that JAMIE SPEARS IS GOING TO BE A WONDERFUL MOTHER !!!!! :) AND THAT SHE WILL NOT HAVE A PROBLEM IN THE MONEY DEPARTMENT. I wouldn't worry if I was her MOST OD THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TALKING ABOUT HER >>>> ARE CLEARLY NOT NEAR AS SUCCESSFUl

Of course it glamorizes teen pregnancy. Teenagers see celebrities as people they want to be like. I don't think teenagers think of the consequences. How many teenagers can buy a house at age 17, can stay home with their child, not have to work or go to school, or have millions in their bank accounts.

Too everyone who says she CAN'T raise the child...here are my words to you! I got pregnant right when I turned 17, dropped out of school to take care of my child, and then once she was a little older, I went back to school, graduated, and now attend full time college online, work, and I am married now! If I can do it...anyone can...Just because she is 17 doesn't mean she CAN'T make it as a very well mother. I think she will do fine as long as she keeps her head up and doesn't get to warn out! Being a mother is the best thing in the world that happened to me! My husband and I are now expecting twins! She can do it!! Have a little faith people!

This totally glamorizes teen pregnancy.. what doesn't an actress/actor glamorize? Jamie may have the millions but she's still a child and a child can't raise a child. And Brittany, her mom and dad certainly cannot help raise Maddie since they obviously have not succeeded with raising their own children. Millions can't buy maturity or responsibility. I hope these teenagers that idolize this girl realize that her life is NOT glamorous & raising this child is not going to be easy just because she has money and doens't have to worry about paying the heating bill. She's got plenty of other things to worry about. Good Luck Jamie.... and I will be praying for Maddie.

I think it glamorizes teen pregnancy.... what doesn't an actress/actor with a lot of money glamorize? Everything they do in their lives is completely different from a"normal" everyday person's life. I hope children who look up to this girl realize that her life is not better then their's and they shouldn't want to be like her., All she has is money. Money doesn't buy happiness and it certainly can't buy maturity. She maybe able to support this child with her millions but let's see how she does still being a child raising a child. I hope the messed up Spears Family doesn't mess up this child too. I will be praying for Maddie.

I just hope that I can instill enough values in my own 3 daughters that when the time comes, they know that people on television, movies, and the radio are not necessarily the best role models. I would however LOVE to see more articles done on celebrities on females who could be. But that doesn't sell does it? The scary part is what that says about us as readers...