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Jamie Lynn Spears has not ruined her life

Filed under: Just For Moms, Teens, Your Pregnancy, 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.

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Start by teaching him that it is safe to do so.