ASHLEE, age 17 [Names have been changed to respect confidentiality.]

Why wait? My name is Ashlee and I was only 16 years old when I became a mom. My life has changed dramatically since my son was born, but so far it has been for the best. All my friends are doings the things that now I see as wrong. They're having sex with different guys. As a teen the pressure is strong, since everybody thinks that "everyone is doing it." But that's not true. Not everyone wants to catch an STD or end up pregnant. I know that feeling! But now I have a baby, one that I love, but I will need to care for him for years. That is why I now practice 'safe sex' - I don't have it! And someday I will meet the man that will love me and marry me. I want to be ready for him when we meet.

There are lots of good reasons to wait for the right person. Being a mother, especially a teen mom, is not an easy job, but it's worth it.

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