To The Girl With A Big Belly And A Backpack | The Odyssey Online
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Politics and Activism

To The Girl With A Big Belly And A Backpack

True words from someone who has been there.

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To The Girl With A Big Belly And A Backpack
Courtney Walker

You truly know the feeling of being an outcast if you've ever walked high school hallways with a baby bump.

To walk in a classroom and your ears pick up all the hurtful comments from other people your age. I had guys laugh at me when I had to raise my hand multiple times to go to the bathroom during class. Teachers made comments about me missing so much school because I had to go to so many doctor appointments, like their class was more important than my baby's health. I had grown adult teachers treat me like trash purely because I was pregnant.

When I first started my senior year I knew I would have to take a 6 week leave right in the middle of the school year when my daughter was born so I wanted to see if there was an option to graduate early where I wouldn't miss so much school. Do you know what I was told?

"We got a place for the pregnant girls to transfer to."

I cried for weeks thinking I was about to be in a room with a bunch of hormonal pregnant teenagers. But more than that I was truly hurt that a school would draw such attention to females expecting children by placing us all in a room. Turns out that "place for the pregnant girls' was room full of guys and girls doing online classes. And I'm 100% sure none of those dudes were pregnant. There was kids in there that had health problems trying to graduate early, kids who just hated school in general and wanted out quicker and so many other reason besides pregnancy.

I sat by myself many days in the cafeteria because for some reason pregnancy is like a disease to teenagers and they are afraid they can catch it if they get too close. Well it's not, for anyone out there that was having doubts.

My point is expecting a baby while in school is far from easy. But I want you to know it's possible.

Don't you ever be ashamed of the fact that you're growing a life inside you. Most people these days think their baby's fate lies in their hands. It doesn't. I respect anyone who takes on the challenge of being a mother instead of taking the easy way out. Hold your head up down the halls knowing that life takes us down different paths for our own good sometimes.

Most kids in your school are getting black out drunk on the weekends so tell me how carrying a child is so much more dishonorable than that.

If you're lucky you will find your true friends through this experience. I lost 3/4 of my friends simply from becoming pregnant. I was blessed with 2 girls who didn't care that my feet were swollen and that my pants had an elastic waste-band. Those 2 girls weren't ashamed to walk the halls with the girl that was 30 weeks pregnant. They sat with me everyday at lunch until I graduated and sometimes they threw my plate away for me. (Because even walking becomes a challenge when your belly gets large.) Things like that are so small but I'll always remember it. I even had a few teachers who took their time to encourage me instead of judge me toward the end of my pregnancy.

I learned from having a baby in high school that the only way to truly shut people up for good is to silently prove them wrong about all the stereotypes. Finish high school, get a career you love and that can provide for you and your child, and above all be the best mother you can be to that baby.

I speak from experience when I say don't let being a young mom hold you back but let it be your biggest motivation to succeed.

You got this little momma!



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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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