In our fourth installment of the Parent Guide Podcast, we are joined by Courtni, a mom of 1 daughter, to talk about parenting young. In our discussion, we delve into her life story about having a child at 21 years old, still pursuing her dreams and goals, and raising a child that loves herself and can express herself.
After a short time studying ultrasound in Pennsylvania, Courtni decided to pursue her dreams of being a model and actor in New York City. A year and a half into her time in NYC, Courtni found out that she was pregnant with her daughter, Willow. After much deliberation, she decided to go back home to PA where her family was.
“All my life I wanted to be in New York, but I knew in my heart that I’ve always wanted to be a mother as well.”
Courtni mentions that raising a child at a young age brings a new perspective to life. She notes that she is constantly learning new things every day, mentioning that kids bring perspective to things that we (as adults) take for granted all the time.
Courtni says that the key to being a parent, especially a young parent, is to surround yourself with a supportive group of people. She continues, saying that she is grateful for a caring family. “It takes a village.”
Our discussion then ventured into the topic of stigmas on having children at a young age. Our culture is often giving out backhanded compliments, rather than offering genuine support for parents. Courtni states that she had to deal with a few comments towards her when she was first pregnant with and raising Willow. Despite these types of comments, the positive affirmation that she received has stayed with her the most. Courtni says that she is grateful for the support that her family has given her, and that she feels cared for in those regards.
Our Purpose
