Teen moms speak up about Jamie Lynn Spears

The birth of Britney Spears little sister Jamie Lynn Spears' daughter, Maddie Briann, has opened the floodgates for positive and negative responses from Dish Rag readers.

But the most touching comments are from teenage girls who either are pregnant or who've had children when they were Jamie Lynn's age. Naturally, they've responded strongly and emotionally to the harsh criticism of Jamie Lynn Spears and her fiance, Casey Aldridge.

After reading their remarks, I can't help but admire these young women for their devotion and courage.  Regrets? I'm sure they've had a few. Imagine yourself a teenager taking care of a child instead of going shopping, traveling, hanging out with your friends, going to the movies, heck, going to college.

But above the criticism, name-calling and negativity from people who haven't faced a teen pregnancy, let's listen to these young mothers' voices. Here are their unedited comments:

Aevasmama is due in July. And she's scared: "Hi! I just wanted to say congrats! I mean i know how hard it is because Im also pregnant and sixteen goin on 17 this year. It sucks to have all of these people talk down to you. But I hope you know wantin this baby or not you did the right thing. You let a new life come to this world to be lived. So I just heard about this and I'm happy for you.  due july 23.. so soon lol ahh im scared. But just like you did I'll get through it. Best of luck girly keep your head up and don't let anyone make u feel you are a bad person in any way. You are only human. We all are, and we all make mistakes. So I wish you and your little baby girl good luck!

Meagan is 17 and pregnant: "Congratulations. I am 17 years old and i'm having a baby in august. Does that make me a horrible person? Sure im young, and i didnt expect it for many years, but accidents do happen, and people who make mature decisions like this should be granted with appreciation for being selfless and bringing life into the world instead of getting rid of it. Just think about it, and put yourselves into the situation."

Mommapookiebear is only 23 and has three kids and one on the way. But read what she has accomplished:

"I have currently turned 23 I am pregnant with my fourth child. I do not believe that having children is a horrible dumb thing. I knew several girls in high school who got pregnant because of dumb decisions. But it changed their lives. I was barely out of high school when I found out I was pregnant with my first child, and I was into the teenage life like most teenagers now days. And my daughter changed my life around. I went to college and her and the rest of my children became my first priority. Jamie and casey you have a long road ahead of you just make the right decisions for you and your child. "

Jessica doesn't think marriage is always the best tact:  "I for one am 17, engaged, and have a beautiful baby boy and don't believe in getting married just because a baby comes into the world, thats why more than 80% of mariages fall to pieces and end up in divorce, which puts more stress on the mother and child so go jamie lynn you made a great choice and im proud!!! at least we that dont get married because our parents think we have to, or whatever reason and we are a lot happier."

Kelly can identify with Jamie Lynn's plight:  "Jamie , i wish you all the best with your wee girl, very pretty name .
Having a baby young is hard ( i was 19) but if you are determined to give them the best life possible , and make some sacrifices along the way , it can be done, my daughter is 6 now and happy and confident....your little girl will be just fine ;-)

Jennifer is 16 and raising her daughter. "I'm 16 and i have a 9 month old daughter and wouldn't change a thing, she can do it and im proud she took responsibility. my fiance is overseas in Iraq!! i love you cohen!!

Katie says having a baby when she was a teen didn't ruin her life:  "I am 18 and have a 2 year old boy. sure I had a baby really young, but it didnt ruin my life. Im not saying it was easy working 2 jobs and going to school.I STILL GRADUATED WTH AN A AND RECIEVED A FULL RIDE SCJOLARSHIP! Me and my husband r very happy! Good Luck!"

Charlotte wishes people would not be so judgmental. "I am 18 weeks pregnant and only 16. So what if i'm young like Jamie lynn but people like me will make as good a mum as anyone. Everyones so judgemental upon age, when my baby is born i am going to try my hardest to support her, like any mother would. 
I just wish that people would stop being so stereotypical and judgemental over a new life."

Keep reading. There's more.

Mariana thinks Jamie Lynn  can handle the responsibility: "I gave birth my 3 years old daughter when I was 18 years old. I live with my boyfriend (we are both 22 now) and my little girl
If you can deal with your responsabilities Having a baby it´s not a problem at all. 
SOME PEOPLE SHOULD Stop talking about things they don´t know. It´s her life, her choice and she have a family who can help her if she needs it. And also she have the money to support her baby girl. It´s her right to do what she feels with her daughter. Leave her alone."

Christine gave her baby up for adoption: "i got pregant at 14 years old and i had him and give him away he is with a nice family that will take go care of him
 now i am 20 years old and i am married and i have a baby girl it is hard work takeing care of a 3 moth old baby . you are going to need all the help you can get the first 3 moths trust me i know."

This mother says her 2-month-old daughter, Kiera, watches Jamie Lynn's "Zoey 101" show: "Congratulations on your bundle of joy. I've just recently gave birth to my first in april, and its going great. Even though i got pregnant at age 19 and now im 20. and the pregnancy wast planed. I love being a mom. And i know you and Casey will do great. I believe that the people that are critising you for having a baby at 17 maybe due to what had happen to your sis. My cousin had her little boy at the age of 17 and they'er doing great. Well best of luck.... LUBS YA GIRL... O and kiera is only 2 mths old and loves to watch your show."

Young mother Samaria sends congrats to the new parents: "Congratulations jamie and casey u are new parents and should b proud. ignor what people are saying to u and get on with your life.
ive just turned 20 i fell pregnant with my first baby just after my 18th birthday and i am now 6 weeks pregnant with my second baby im a good mom and proud.
just because your young doesent mean u wont cope or b a good mom u be there for your daughter and listen to what your heart says not the jelous people in this world congratulations again and best wishes to u baby and casey xx

Heather knows being a young mom is not easy:  "I just turned 18 2 days ago, i had my son when I was 17. No its not easy but its not for anyone, im a great mom no matter what age I am. Give Jamie a chance, she's probably a better mother than any of you dumb ass' will ever be. age is just a number, think about it."

Klaudia is 14 and having her second child. "Im 14 and pregnant with my second baby girl,. its wonderful to be a young mom. 
so all u haters go to hell. "

(Click HERE to read all the comments)

Photo: Jamie Lynn Spears gets a supportive hug from her older sister Britney at the Kids Choice Awards in 2003.
WireImage

Comments

[KATE]

The problem with teen pregnancy is that nobody respects your rights to privacy even though there are laws to protect a person and especially a minor, and you really don't have the same opportunities as other Americans because people are afraid a successful teen mom will glamorize teen pregnancy. It's like having a life sentence without committing any crime. It's kind of funny hearing politicians talking about America and opportunity for all out of one side of their mouth and then discussing teen pregnancy out of the other.

[MissM]

Hey, thanks for printing a lot of gung-ho stuff about how a teen can alter her life for the worse! I hope you'll follow it up with letters from abused children and kids who ended up homeless or destitute because their single moms couldn't properly care for them. A few letters from overburdened grandmas might be appropriate, too.
Also, "...the best tact"?? Please fire your copy editor. Should be "tack," as in the direction a boat takes.

[What is the world coming to?]

I was a mom at 17 in 1995. Though, I do not regret anything and with family support I am now a very successful 30 year old I would never encourage this. What is the world coming to when you have pregnant teens on Nick? What happend to the after school specials telling us NOT to do this or the things that lead up to it? Even though I DID IT I knew it was WRONG and if you read these CHILDRENS (that is what they are!)comments you will see that these immature minds are srtill children they see nothing wrong with any of this.. so the vicious cycle will continue... That would bring me to America's economy and WHO is going to take care of these children children.. there sister isn't Brittney Spears!

[Charlotte]

I am sorry. It's not ok for 14 year olds to be having kids and for young mothers to advocate the idiocrisy. I know of A LOT of young moms that WISH they waited!

[Keisha]

I do agree with these young ladys. I had just turned 19 when I found out I was pregnant and I had just turned 20 when I had my little girl. Because of my little girl I have changed my life so much I would not know where I would be if I didnt have her. I am now working for the State, starting college in August because I took a year off. Newly engaged. Trust me girls its the best experience in your life I would not trade anything for where I am today.God has blessed me . Just remember even though people talk down to you and saw you dont know what ypu are doing or getting your self into, just always let god lead you in the right direction and just do the best you can. Everything always works out in the end....CONGRATS JAMIE!

[Charlotte]

I have read some of these comments and I am shocked that people think America gets sexually educated. This warped and sick mindset that it's OK for young girls to grow up SO FAST and get married SO YOUNG is ok. It's a known fact that people change A LOT before the age of 25. I mean A LOT. If you have kids, your maturity is stunted because you are FORCED to speed up a natural process IMMATURELY. For the love of god, put back sexual education in schools, put flowcharts for the cost of raising kids, put the cost of what it is like for the AVERAGE American to raise a kid!! I know of A LOT of teen mothers that WISHED they had waited or TAKEN BIRTH CONTROL but because their parents were bible banging cult followers the UNNECESSARY happened. Women, take control of your lives and your reproductive organs!! When I was 13, I too wanted kids but now I am 23 and that is the last thing on my mind because I know how much it costs to live. If I had a baby that young, I would have been thrown out of the house and forced to raise it like a normal parent. Little kids that have kids are walked through, generally, by their own parents. Grow the heck up and get a clue!

[Charlotte]

If a woman needs to have a kid to point her in the right direction, there is a SERIOUS problem!! Kids should be in a STABLE environment from birth!! This is why kids are so warped on their perception of motherhood. Motherhood is NOT fun and games and I don't know of many REAL teenage mothers that run around yelling it's the best thing in the world to do. AllI see is a bunch of women who refused to truly follow their religious beliefs then cover it up with "oh, I choose the right thing." All you did was what every other species on the planet can do. Life is not sacred. It is a natural thing that occurs when two gametes from a male to female or something unisex indidivual PROCREATE. PRO as in ADDITION. Not some "gift" from above. Last time I checked, morons breed in packs. TRUE STORY!!

[stefanie]

my cousin is just 17 years old and has a baby boy.Sure its a lot of work.
but it pays up.my lil nephew is really cute and i am happy that jamie is getting a girl.
GOOD LUCK!!
BY the way jamie
I LOVE ZOEY!!

[megogirl]

Hi! I'm, like, 11 years old and pregnent. So am I evil just becauwe of THAT? Hey Jamie u just don't let anywon tell u ur not who u khow you are, because u ARE! And these peple don't know u so why are they soooooooo jughmental. I know i will be a good frend to my baby, just like you are, and never jugemental.

[Kat]

My cousin actually got his girlfriend pregnant. They were both 19 at the time but now they have a daughter who should be turning 4 in August. After she was born, they got married and now they're divorced and are no longer togethor. My cousin has custody of her now and she hardly sees her mother. I hope when Jamie Lynn and Casey get married, their marriage won't get wrecked. But I support Jamie Lynn's decision in keeping the baby. Her life won't be ruined just because she's a teen mom. My cousin's life wasn't ruined. He's now with a new girl and they are talking about marriage. And his daughter was no mistake and is now a huge joy to have in the family.

[Megan]

hi i feel pregnant at 17 and had a termination shortly afterwards because i believe it's wrong to raise a child when your still learning to look after yourself. That girl who said shes proud to be having her second baby at 14 scares me because if this how girls are thinking then what is the world coming too?

[Abbie]

I think teen pregnancy is slowly becoming an epidemic in this country. The media's glamourizing of very celebrity pregnancy. The Juno-Jamie Lynn factor is giving the wrong message to the majority of teens.

[Ruthy]

okay... I am not a mother yet... I am 19, married and do want to have a baby in the next two years. this is what I believe though, it really doesn't matter your age, just if your mature enough to take on the responsibility of having a child! I mean there was a time when girls were geting married at 16 and having babies, that's just how it was so if they could do it why not todays teens? I just believe you should be married first, you need to have a healthy invironment for the baby to grow up in.. not a broken family of a single mom... sure there are several single moms that do a fantastic job of raising their kids and love them but it's not exactly healthy..kids need a mom and dad. I just don't think age is the issue, we should be more worried about if the baby's being taken care of! I just think it's great that she kept the baby and didn't abort it. I think too many teens are scared into thinking that they'll be judged or looked down at that so many of them are aborting babies instead of giving them the chance to live. If people would be more understanding of that maybe there wouldn't be so many babies turned away from this world. That's the big problem today... why aren't more people worried about that? instead they're too worried about who's geting pregnant at a young age and thinking it's their place to judge.

[Jo]

its not right for teenagers to get pregnant. i'm 17 and i don't approve of teen pregnancy at all.

you guys are too young. how are you going to take care of your self let alone your newborn baby.... are you going to rely on your parents? i'm 100% positive that your parents don't want to take care of that. you guys need to grow up and take responsibility for yourself. its just not right... its not fair for you and your baby.

but if you don't want to be mature about sex it is what it is.

[Kelly]

Jamie is being very brave i too have been there and it pays off, my baby will be 4 in march09 and i will be 21 this aug08(dad23 in july)we were the same as jamie and casey it is so hard esp with no support but my now husband and i have a wonderful little girl!and yes to some we made a "mistake" but she was a gift no matter and thank you to the ones who have spoke up if you havent been there you dont get it. giving up my college was horrid but i knew what she needed and that was parents scared and all. we may not have been perfect but we are learning and she has so much more to teach and they will be great just give it all you have.and to all the young moms doing all they can keep your head up i know its crazy but you look at tat little one and couldnt be without them!

[Angel Young]

I`m 18 now and I have a beautiful almost 3 year old daughter that I had at 15 and another little girl whos 8 months. I truely believe children are a blessing and not a curse. And I think that it takes a real strong person to make these decisions. Its not the end of the world and people need to stop acting as if it is!!! I`m tried of people unminding my intelligence just because I`m a teen mom, stop treating us like we don`t have a mind of our own!! and to the girl whos 14 and having her second child, use a fucking condom! Ur 14 for fuck sacks! If u were "mature" at all u`d grow up and stop acting like ur a baby factory!!! I`m not judgemental but come on , keep going this way and u`ll have 8 before ur 18th birthday! and to jamie lynn spears congrads on the new arrival, hopefully u handle motherhod better then ur sister
LOL!!1

[Todd]

Wow, after reading though some of these comments, it looks like some of you girls need to get back to school and learn how to spell and form sentences properly. See what happens when you have children at such a young age? You grow up to be a moron.

[libby]

i am 22 23 in aug, and have a 5 month old baby boy, it wasn't planned and i was using protection but it happened and im happy he is here now, i own my home, have savings and want for nothing, i have a great job to go back to but my fiance has told me we can afford me to stay at home if thats what i want, im lucky im in such a good position but the majority of girls yes girls! aged 18 and under do not have any kind of security, having a baby so young is extremely selfish if you can not provide for it, if you end up on benifits getting handouts and living with parents then your a parasite, you have not only condemed your poor child to come into this world with a less than best start since you are not educated or mature enough to go through the process, but you have also condemed your parents to take care of you and your baby! not theirs your baby, thats not fair, but you don't think about that when your on your back getting banged up without a condom or the pill, its stupididty and lack of maturity to correctly process a situation that allows teens to get pregnant and not either get a abortion which i think would scare them into using something next time, or giving the baby up to a loing family who can give it more opportunities than the teenage mother ever could, also having children under the age of 17 increases the risk if death for both mother and baby, im a pediatric nurse and have had to watch babies suffer and die because of the complitcations from being born from a immature not ready body, and statistics prove that children of young mothers also go on to be young or even younger mothers aswell so congrats you really are helping. its just plain selfishness, git rid of the fetus and go to school go to college get a job, get a stable relationship with someone who might actually stick around and then have kids, why is that so hard?

[Kristina]

Hello, I was just reading all this and decided to voice my opinion. I am 23 and i had my first child right after I turned 16. I would never say it is a bad thing or the wrong thing to do but, it is soooo hard raising children when your young. My children are the best gift I could have ever received. Would not take it back for the world.I now have a 7 year old and a 3 year old. Their father has been in prison for the past 3 years and I have had to do this on my own. When you have children you have to grow up way too fast. Life is no longer about you it is about your kids and what they need and want. As long as you can support them physically and emotionally I think you will be fine. As far as what people say.... well, this was the worst thing to have to go through. People would talk about you, look at you, old people especially, like you were a piece of trash and that made the whole thing that much harder to deal with. I would be at the grocery store holding my son, in line to check out and older people would literally push me out of the way to get in line in front of me and then look at me as if I were a dog or something. My only advice is that you make sure you can provide a safe and fun environment for these babies before you get pregnant. As far as what people say ...... piss on them. It is not there life it is yours. I wish Jamie and Britney the best of luck with everything. They have it worse than the rest of us because of the media being up their ass all the time.

[Bethany]

Hi,
I am not pregnant or anything just i decided to type this message! I think that people shouldn't be critsing Jamie Lynn because at the end of the day it is her decison about what she wants to do and now arent you old if you don't have your first child until your like 21 !!! but anyway i hope she proves everyone wrong about teenage pregancy and i love the name she called her baby. Plus i hope her sister gets her kids back as it must be hard to watch her sister have kids when she isn't even allowed to see hers ! Good Luck Everyoneee x

[dollslikeus]

It has to be hard to start life so young with a baby . I had my children latter on in life and even that was hard . It would be hard to raise children so young without a job welfare only goes so far . What about college you will have to grow up very fast .

[Greg]

Hi Jamie & Casey,
I met you guys in Destin last month. (I was the guy who ran over my lawn mower electric cord). I just wanted to say congratulations! please take care of your new little sweatheart. I am sure that you guys are going to be just fine.
Ignor the negative talk and listen to the positive.
The only people who matter right now are the ones who are positive.
God Bless, Greg

[kim]

Hey! I myself had a baby when I was 16. It did not ruin my life it actually saved it. When I had my son I had to really grow up. Most of the people I went to school with that did not have a child really got into trouble. A lot of them got on drugs and have since been arrested and have made nothing of themselves. Those of us who had kids really now have the best lives. Most of us are happily married and have good jobs. I am not ashamed that I had my son and I would not change a thing. He is now 11 and I also now have 3 more kids. I love my kids and my life. So when people say you have to quit school and you can't raise a baby. I say they do not know what they are talking about. Is it hard? It sure is, but the rewards of having a child and raising that child are endless.

[helz]

Im not pregnant but i would just like to say that jamie isnt a monster she is just human so all of u people who say all of the foul and disgusting comments take a look at your own lives and leave jamie AND her sister alone. i am backing jamie and brittney up 100% and i have faith that jamie will be a great mam!

[Katie]

I think that its ok for girls 16 and over to have children, once you get to 16 your at a point where your close to being mature enough to look after your child. There is a reason the legal age to have sex is 16 and not 12! I'm not saying that an under 16 will not be able to cope with a child but its a lot less likely that they will be able to than a 16 or 17 year old. Under sixteens should be in school!