"Just because we are young doesn’t mean we don’t know what we are doing."

Being a mum will be different for everyone. It is an experience that will have good bits and lots of challenging bits. Having a new baby can be hard for all mums regardless of age. Unfortunately babies don’t come with instruction manuals. They can be very unpredictable and they poo a lot! They do however need YOU and this is an awesome thing.

Lots of young mums believe that having their baby was the best thing ever for them. Unfortunately they also say that the worst thing about being young mum is that they feel judged by others. It is not okay for people to judge or treat you differently just because you have had a baby as a young person.

Just remember, you are experiencing and learning the same things as all new mothers. You may feel like you have lots to learn but your baby is also experiencing new things and learning all the time. Most importantly babies need to be fed, feel loved and secure and then you will both have the chance to grow and learn together.

Many young people say that having a baby has been an incredibly positive experience and has improved their lives.

Everyone reading this booklet will be in different situations. Whatever situation you are in, remember that you can still have a great future even if that future is different to what you had planned. For some of you who had not counted on becoming a parent just yet, you might be feeling quite overwhelmed or anxious about how quickly your life has changed. For others, you may be overjoyed and excited about your new role.

If you have left school to have a baby, remember, you can still achieve your goals. You might end up returning to school, doing some training, starting a new job, going to university etc. Whatever you decide, believe in yourself and find people around you who also believe in you and support you.

Having a baby when you are young can sometimes slow down your plans but they can still happen!!

Enjoy the journey …