I had the privilege of interviewing Kate Langdon and learning about her experiences as a young mother. Kate’s days are very busy from the moment she wakes up as she looks after her two young children.
Kate had her first child at the age of 18. When she first found out she was pregnant at the age of 17, Kate kept it to herself. Initially, she felt frightened and worried that people would disown her. It was a very lonely time for her until she finally told her parents, who gave her the love and support she needed, especially her father.
Kate is in a parents club called Parent Zone. She has been in it for 18 months now and is really enjoying it. Kate said, “It’s good to have people of a similar age to connect with.” She feels the group offers support to young mothers like herself because they are all going through the same thing and can relate to each other’s experience. “Since everyone is in a similar situation and the same age, we don’t feel like we’re getting judged.”
The media often portray young mothers in a negative way. People often have the perception that young, single mums equal ‘slackers bludging on welfare,’ judging them without listening to their stories. Kate hates how she gets looked up and down because of her age. “Just the little things like comments in the change room and the glares really bug me because they just assume things because I’m young.” Kate makes the point that in her grandmother’s time, it was considered quite normal to start a family at a much younger age than what is considered the ‘norm’ for today.
Kate disagrees with the government requirement for young mums to go back to school and the view that young girls get pregnant so they can get welfare money. While she agrees that it is a good idea for young mums to go back and finish school, she says it’s a decision most of them make anyway without being forced into it because they know and want what’s best for their children.
Kate says that there are advantages to being a young mum. “You don’t get as tired because you have more energy.” As she enjoys the addition of her second child, her advice to young women who become pregnant is to talk about it and seek support. “Everyone will be there for you. You don’t need to face it on your own. Things do work out.”
Grace Cusack
banyule100.com 
Great article grace 🙂