Jamie Lynn Spears has not ruined her life

by Sandy Maple (Subscribe to Sandy Maple's posts) Dec 21st 2007 12:33PM

Categories: Just For Moms, Teens & tweens, Pregnancy & Birth, Celeb Kids

I've been following the Jamie-Lynn-Spears-is-pregnant hysteria for the past few days with a vague feeling of sadness. The talking heads on television can't condemn her loudly enough. They are tripping all over themselves pointing the blame at big sister and mom. Parents are freaking out about how to tell their children what this child has done. The words 'trailer trash' are being bandied about and the general consensus is that this girl has ruined her life.

I cringe at that last part. Ruined her life. I heard that too when I got pregnant at sixteen. I heard it from my devastated parents, my scornful teachers and my freaked-out friends. I was lucky enough not to have to hear it from strangers on television and the Internet.

A sixteen year old cannot even begin to fathom what being a parent involves. At that age, forever is an impossible concept to grasp. But fortunately, forever happens one day at a time. It is hard, but it doesn't have to be bad. I was lucky that my family and friends came around and were supportive of me and my child. They gave me the strength and the desire to prove that I could do it. And with their help, I did.

Jamie Lynn's career is likely ruined, but her life isn't. She's going to be a mother and regardless of what goes on around her, she is going to have to find it in herself to make it right. That's a tall order for a sixteen-year-old who clearly doesn't have the most solid family to lean on. But it can be done and for the sake of that unborn child, I am pulling for Jamie Lynn.

Comments (19)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Joy 12-21-2007 @ 1:04PM

I so agree with you Sandy. I feel so bad for this girl for everyone to be talking about her so horribly. I’d like to bring her to live with me and shield her from all of this media blasting. Placing “blame” is not even in my mind for her right now. She’s still a child and we can “blame” whatever we want but the facts are the facts. There is a baby coming and that’s the issue now. I can surely say that she is not the only 16 year old having sex. We can only hope and pray this young man will step up as well as his family to give them support and love and most importantly, the guidance she seems to never have gotten. My hopes are with this young girl.

rachel 12-21-2007 @ 11:14PM

That poor thing. I can't imagine what it must be like to not only be a terrified pregnant 16yo but to also have millions of people waiting to criticize your every move. I got pg with DS at 18 and that was not good, and I didn't have an audience. I wish her the best of luck, earplugs and blinders- thats probably the only way to avoid the media without moving to Nepal or something.

Jenn 12-22-2007 @ 8:55AM

You're right, she hasn't ruined her life!
She sure has made it a lot harder than it needed to be, though. She has my sympathies and I wish her the best of luck....and I am very glad I am not in her situation!

Judy 12-22-2007 @ 9:47AM

Thank you for saying this publicly. I also found myself pregnant at age 16, and heard how I'd ruined my life. I went out to get full-ride scholarships to college (although I still haven't finished my degree 11 years later) and am now happily remarried with two little beautiful boys in addition to my 12 yo daughter.

Yes it's hard, but her life is not over.

naimodo 1-04-2008 @ 2:06PM

Its strange, but the successful people who didnt get knocked up when they were a kid are against the kids who got knocked up, and the people who slept around at 16, side with the girl. Imagine that.

ame s 12-24-2007 @ 12:24PM

Seeing as how she has enough money for 24 hour help, I doubt this baby is going to ruin her life. She won't loose any sleep if she doesn't want to.
Money aside, I do not think she will be as good a parent to a newborn at 16 as I was at 30. As many have stated, she is still a child herself.

Heather 12-27-2007 @ 9:59AM

I agree she hasn't ruined her life. I was a teen mom and we are ok. I found it easier at 17 then I did at 30. Moeny obviously makes no difference just look at her sister. The 24 hr help shure hasn't helped her. All that has done is let her continue with her irresonsible lifestyle. I think ( hope) Jamie has more sense thne her sister. I think ( hope) she will be a better mom. Age has no bearing on how good a parent you are.

Sara 1-04-2008 @ 9:15AM

I agree completely. Jamie has NOT ruined her life. Sure, she MAY have made a choice others might consider 'foolish', but it was her decision and there's nothing we can do about it (aside from rant and rave about it online). Allow me to share a story with you all:

My own mother had me at the age of sixteen, and then again later had my sister at the age of eighteen. She ISN'T 'trailer trash' as everyone seems so apt to consider Jamie. She had no support from my father and, God forbid, it was out of wed lock. *Mock Gasp* She didn't even have help from her own mother. The only person that would help her at all was my father's mother (thank heaven for her). But, despite all of this, she finished highschool and then went to college. You CAN continue your life after a child. She's an RN now and is married to the most supportive man I've ever known as a husband. She's in a stable job, with great income, and has given my sister and me everything she never had as a kid, including support.

No, Jamie Lynn hasn't 'ruined' her life. She's just chosen a different path then the rest of us out there. How can we condemn her for being different and making the choice she felt best?

Steve 1-04-2008 @ 9:45AM

Scheesh!!! OK we have every woman you got knocked up at 16 posting comments on poor Jamie Lynn...hey!....the girl is star of a huge show..making tons of cash & decides to have sex with a 19 year old she moved in live with. OK...she's a star and no one says no to her but she still can make decisions!!!...now we hear the father may have been her producer!!! Jeez...you people need to stop legitimizing & rationalizing what happened here simply because of your poor judgement!!!

Judy 1-04-2008 @ 2:31PM

Wow, naimodo!

Its strange, but the successful people who didnt get knocked up when they were a kid are against the kids who got knocked up, and the people who slept around at 16, side with the girl. Imagine that.

I don't know - that seems kind of harsh. *Most* of the people I've ever met, in my life, from all walks of life (from the poorest to millionaires, and everywhere in between) had had sex before graduating high school. On the occasions when I've met people who made it to age 18 as virgins, it's been a shock to lots of people. Now, I'm not saying there aren't circles people might move in where remaining a virgin into adulthood is common, but I'm saying that I think (and if you'll poke around, you'll find statistics to back it up) that losing virginity in the teen years is pretty common.

Having sex, even getting pregnant, does not equal "sleeping around," as you said, and I find it terribly offensive that one would say so.

I'm not defending teenage sex or getting pregnant as a teen. I certainly don't think it was the "right" thing to do, and is not something I would encourage. But the general discussion after JLS pregnancy was announced was whether or not she had "ruined her life." That was the purpose of the post and what the discussion was about, and was what I was responding to (and what I got from most of the other posters).

I have known people who got pregnant as teens who, it could be argued, ruined their life. However, in most cases, this was not because of the teen pregnancy, but because of other choices. I've known many, many more people who did NOT get pregnant as teens whose lives could just as well be said to have been "ruined," in many sense of the word.

Further, I'm sure you will find "successful" people who didn't have babies young (or who had abortions and so no one knows, or just got lucky and "slept around" but didn't get pregnant) who will also be on the side of saying that her life is not ruined.

And in some cases, you might just find that a teen pregnancy is what CAUSED someone to be successful, and turn around bad habits and "get straight" and go on to be the person someone became.

Do I think a 16 yo pregnant is ideal? Absolutely NOT. But will it ruin her - or anyone's - life? Most likely not. And I think it is terribly sad that so many people think so.

jo 1-04-2008 @ 9:35PM

I too was a sixteen year old mother. It is not as uncommon as people make it out to be. It has surely made me the person I am today. However in Jaime's defense she has (or had a job) and the means to support a child at that age. I have no say in her mental state but she seems really down to earth and by far is not the worst thing in the world. Less than 100 years ago children were giving birth at 13 and 14. At this point in her life, she could be one of the biggest advocates in the nation about the dedication it takes being a parent and the resources available to a young mother and father. I say good luck to her and to learn everything she can by getting the support she will need. She has some parents behind her now but it will be up to her to make the correct choices and to continue to get the support that every new mother need either from her own parents or her fan's parents. Good Luck Jaime and stay strong and dont take too much to heart from all the gossip and rumors

erin 1-04-2008 @ 11:06PM

Everyone whos saying that Jamie Lynn is ruinning her life and has the time to write these huge pharagraphs about her need to get a life. I agree with Jo.
It was a simple mistake and it could happen to anyone. I'm only 14 and I know many poeple who are pregnant at my age,and I just try to be a good friend and help them out, not talk crap about them. It doesnt matter about their family background.We make mistakes. You need to stop trashing her and worry about your own life. Its not the mothers, or Brittanys fault..everyone gets stressed and we have diff. ways of handling it. So just because they're celebs it SHOULD NOT be a huge deal.

diane maloney 1-04-2008 @ 11:51PM

I feel sorry for Jamie Lynn. I got pregnant when I was 14 years old. I married my boyfriend and had 4 children all together. I think with out the support of my family and the responsibility I learned as I was growing up I never would have made it. I am now going to be 50 in Feb and my oldest son (who is a CPA) will turn 35. I have 5 grand children , and no my kids did not follow in my footsteps and have babies at a young age. My oldest daughter is going for her master and my second son is married and a father of a two year old boy. My baby girl turned 27 in August and will be getting married soon. I have to say that I can remember when I was at home with my kids and my highschool friends were at school dances and football games. I went to school with my son ( a all girl school because in my days schools did not want to have you on the property after you were 5 mts along). I worked nights and my husband took care of the kids . I cooked and cleaned and had dinner ready when he came home from work. All of this I learned as I was growing up. Do I blame my parents for what happened to me? NO I made the choice and I had to pay the price. And to tell you the truth I wish things could have been different but I was blessed with 4 healthy babies and parents who loved me and the grandkids. I did divorce the father of my children after 13 years of marriage . I was blessed to meet a man who I married and have been with for over 20 years. My kids love him to pieces and so do my Grandkids. So please don't give up on young parents. The road is a tuff one some will fail but alot will make it also. Try to support them and give helpful advice not negative comments.

Heather 1-05-2008 @ 1:09AM

I like how everyone jumps on their high horse to condem this girl for being pregnant at 16. If you have had, or did have sex at 15,16, 17, etc. you have no right to judge anyone.

Muff82380 1-05-2008 @ 2:05AM

You people have nothine better to do than talk about "BABY BASTARD" Cause that's what it's going to be! A FREAKING BASTARD. The father is gonna get scared and run away, and pay a measly XXX amont of dollard a month. GET A FUCKING LIFE RTARDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU MAKE ME SO SIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICK!

Muff82380 1-05-2008 @ 2:05AM

That poor thing. I can't imagine what it must be like to not only be a terrified pregnant 16yo but to also have millions of people waiting to criticize your every move. \

SHE IS NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT A POOR THING> SHE HAS MONEY COMING OUT OF HER ASS>>>>>>>>>OR MAYBE HER PUSSSYYYYYY!!!

bm 1-05-2008 @ 3:21PM

Dear Sandy,
Thank you for your comment.
I would like to add two more things to this:
1. How old was our Mother Mary when she had baby Jesus?
2. With regard to Q1, GOD gave man to be fruitful and multiply HE never mentioned anything about age.
With that being said, leave Jamie Lynn alone.

JEN 1-05-2008 @ 3:40PM

ALOT OF PEOPLE KEEP SAYING HOW THEY GOT KNOCKED UP WHEN THEY WERE 14, 15, 16 ETC... THAT'S IRRESPONSIBLE. IF YOU DO DECIDE TO HAVE SEX AS A CHILD, USE PROTECTION! THAT'S WHAT IT'S FOR! DON'T BE ANOTHER STATISTIC! WAIT TIL YOUR AN ADULT & OUT OF SCHOOL, WHEN YOU CAN ACTUALLY MAINTAIN A JOB & BE A PRODUCTIVE MEMBER OF SOCIETY! THEN YOU CAN BRING CHILDREN INTO THIS WORLD! IT'S SICKENING HOW MANY KIDS ARE HAVING BABIES, & JUST REMEMBER, OUR TAX DOLLARS PAY FOR IT! BUT HONESTLY, YOU CAN'T BLAME THE KIDS. THEY'RE GOING TO BE STUPID & MAKE MISTAKES, THAT'S WHAT KIDS DO. SO WHO DO YOU BLAME??? THE PARENTS! IT'S HOW YOU RAISE YOUR CHILDREN THAT DETERMINES WHAT KIND OF LIFESTYLE THEY CHOOSE! THEY LEARN FROM YOU! RAISE YOUR KIDS RIGHT IDIOTS! AS FOR JAMIE, I HOPE IT DOES RUIN HER CAREER. SHE SETS A BAD EXAMPLE FOR ALL OF THE YOUNG CHILDREN WHO DID WATCH HER SHOW.

sam54 1-05-2008 @ 7:05PM

Be smarter than your sister, terminate the pregnancy.

How To Submit Photos:
If you'd like your children (any age will do!) featured on ParentDish, upload photos into the ParentDish Flickr Pool. Be sure to read our main Flickr page for more information.