A Baby Bump Too Soon

I am a product of an unwed teenage mother. I have a Master's degree in Social Work. I'm 30, single, and without any children. I have a career, and while I have hit many obstacles along my path to success, I still presevere. As a child of a teenage mother, I somewhat know the strength, struggles, and successes of a single mother but I don't recommend that lifepath.                

Why am I telling you all of this? Because today, I confirmed what I had HOPED was a rumor; one of my former students is pregnant. I wanted to scream, rewind the hands of time, and erase the moment of conception. But I can't.            

I want to ask why, why couldn't you wait? Was it peer pressure? Was it curiousity? Were you tired of being the "good girl"? Was it worth it? Not because it matters now but it matters for future students.

I already asked, what are you going to do? What about the father? What about your hobbies, college?  I needed to know that she has the mettle it's going to take in order to contine to excel.                                                        

I'm not mad. I'm just DISAPPOINTED. I know she and her child can succeed in spite of; my momma did it. My friends have done/are doing it. So have many other women.

Yet, I also know that life is a BEAST. It beats you up and asks questions later! People make judgements and never apologize for making the wrong assumption. A stigma that seems to never fade surrounds you although you consistently beat the odds. Its ... just...a rocky road to travel and I guess I didn't expect to care SO much.