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Bristol Palin on Life as a Teen Mom - "Think About the Consequences"
Filed under: Celeb Kids, Celeb Parents
Recently, Bristol Palin went public with her renewed faith in abstinence-only sex education. If anyone should be the voice of Don't Do It, it's this high-profile teen mom -- after all, Palin knows what she's talking about: Her son Tripp was born in December, and Palin and fiancé Levi Johnston are now struggling to come to some kind of agreement about vistation and support. So what's Palin saying about having a baby at 18? "Girls need to imagine and picture their life with a screaming newborn baby and then think before they have sex," she told PEOPLE magazine this week. "Think about the consequences."
Good advice, that.
For Palin, the consequences of her choice to be sexually active include juggling two part time jobs and caring for her 5-month-old son, Tripp, all while living in her parents' Wasilla, AK, home. Tripp sleeps in a crib in Bristol's room, and typically wakes twice during the night for feedings, which the teen mom handles herself. This month, Palin graduated from Wasilla High, although she missed most of her senior year and spent graduation night at home with her extended family, not out with her friends and classmates.
Is she sorry? No, she tells PEOPLE, because "I have other things to worry about."
But she does see her story as a cautionary tale, one that she's hoping to share with other teens. "If girls realized the consequences of sex, nobody would be having sex," Palin says firmly. "Trust me. Nobody." Palin hopes to take that story directly to vulnerable kids, as an advocate for teen pregnancy prevention.
Bristol Palin has gotten a bad rap, primarily for things that were beyond her control, like her mother's Vice Presidential campaign. But she seems to be a level-headed kid who is making the best of a tough situation, and who is turning into quite role model.
Good advice, that.
Palin Family Album
Bristol Palin (pictured here at the 2008 Republican National Convention with brother Trig) says that "Girls need to imagine and picture their life with a screaming newborn baby and then think before they have sex."
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Bristol Palin has changed her mind about abstinence; she's back on board and is speaking out about why teens should not have sex. Palin and ex-fiance Levi Johnston are the parents of a baby boy, Tripp, born in December.
Bryan Bedder, Getty Images
"We both love each other," Levi Johnston, 18, told the AP in a rare interview about his relationship with 18-year-old Bristol Palin. "We both want to marry each other. And that's what we are going to do."
Paul Sancya, AP
Levi Johnston called himself a "redneck' on his MySpace page.
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and her husband Todd have five children with short, masculine and certainly unique names: Track, 19, Bristol, 18, (with Levi Johnston), Willow, 14, Piper, 7, and Trig, 8 months (not pictured). Read More
Fredy Perojo, AOL
Sarah Palin initially hid her pregnancy with Trig from the public, causing rumors that Trig was her grandson via Bristol.
Win McNamee, Getty Images
Gov. Sarah Palin, her husband Todd, and daughters Bristol,16, right, and Piper, 5, at the end of a 2006 inauguration ceremony in Fairbanks. Palin, 42, is the first female and youngest governor of Alaska.
Al Grillo, AP
"Trig is beautiful and already adored by us," read a statement by the Palin when Trig was born on April 18. "We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."
Paul J. Richards, AFP / Getty Images
"Our beautiful daughter Bristol came to us with news that as parents we knew would make her grow up faster than we had ever planned," the Palins's statement said when they announced her pregnancy. "As Bristol faces the responsibilities of adulthood, she knows that she has our unconditional love and support."
Robyn Beck, AFP/Getty Images
Chuck Heath, 70, (pictured with wife Sally), Sarah Palin's father, said gift boxes for his newest grandson are piling up in the governor's mail room from all over the world. There's no way the family will ever be able to answer every letter, he said, although they are trying.
Charlie Neibergall, AP
For Palin, the consequences of her choice to be sexually active include juggling two part time jobs and caring for her 5-month-old son, Tripp, all while living in her parents' Wasilla, AK, home. Tripp sleeps in a crib in Bristol's room, and typically wakes twice during the night for feedings, which the teen mom handles herself. This month, Palin graduated from Wasilla High, although she missed most of her senior year and spent graduation night at home with her extended family, not out with her friends and classmates.
But she does see her story as a cautionary tale, one that she's hoping to share with other teens. "If girls realized the consequences of sex, nobody would be having sex," Palin says firmly. "Trust me. Nobody." Palin hopes to take that story directly to vulnerable kids, as an advocate for teen pregnancy prevention.
Bristol Palin has gotten a bad rap, primarily for things that were beyond her control, like her mother's Vice Presidential campaign. But she seems to be a level-headed kid who is making the best of a tough situation, and who is turning into quite role model.
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ReaderComments (Page 5 of 14)
5-21-2009 @ 11:54PM
Ashlee said...Well said H. Emily.
5-21-2009 @ 10:47PM
Paul said...Abortion option makes sense. You can can have a baby anytime you want when your older
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 10:27PM
jfsupplychain said...I do not respect her for making poor choices regarding having sex so young but I respect them BOTH for have good values and deciding to keep the baby. The other choice would have been tragic!
Why visitation and support? Why not co-parent and each support the child? Dad should not be a visitor and a paycheck. He needs to be an involved parent. SHame on Bristle for procrastinating on a equal schedule!
5-21-2009 @ 10:24PM
elitecloaker said...Interesting to me the many comments from teen mothers that say: "The baby was the best thing that ever happened to ME." That shows me right there that there is/was a problem. Not many comments about the BEST thing for THE BABY! And comments about the baby/child having all the THINGS they need 'cos the mom went out and worked full time. Babies don't need THINGS they need a mom and dad to BOTH raise them. Sure it happens...teens get pregnant, but I think some of the teen moms who are so "proud" would think twice about what it means for their CHILD to be deprived of a loving, commited mother and father from the start. ...my 2 cents
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 10:20PM
Bobby Marta said...My heart goes out to Bristol Palin and all others whom share this situation of a new born in their teens.
Think before you spread those legs, and don't give me the pier pressure excuse.
Granted pier pressure is real in all ages, but now these teens use it as the excape goat excuse.
Parents, you Sarah Palin, and all others are as much to blame as the teens ( boys and girls ) because we have no control over our youth, even in our schools where spanking there or at home is not allowed. Shame, Shame on our weak society, and law makers.
Thank God mine ( children ) are all grown, because I would stay in jail for correcting them, or spanking them when neccessay.
Wake up parents, and do what is right and best for you children.
Bob Marta = honest, firm, and good parent of four all adults.
Marta0412marta@aol.com
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5-21-2009 @ 10:21PM
Caldoll said...I think Bristol needs to go away! There are so many girls out there with less then her that are making thing work without whining about how her life is a cautionary tale. Shut up. If she is stressed stop going on every show telling how hard your life is. Kids will have sex, we can try to top them but no one gives a shit about what she says. Try helping kids in your sitution if you want to help. How will her son feel that she thinks her life is now a what not to do. go away!
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 10:21PM
Patrick said...Igloo Trash.
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 10:23PM
Audrey said...Ok well yes some teens dont know what there getting themselves into and yes its a struggle. I know this because i was a teen mom although im still young I got preg. at 17 and had my daughter at 18 and now im 20 and my daughter is turning 2 soon and yes its a struggle but saying "Girls need to imagine and picture their life with a screaming newborn baby and then think before they have sex," it sounds like a complaint and not getting to hang out with friends after a baby it shouldnt even matter what should matter is the baby i thank god for my little princess at first yes it was hard to believe i was pregnant but when i saw my little girl i wasn't mad i was happy a piece of me crying, laughing, saying her first words, doing funny new things its a great experience! And im not saying yea teens go have babies im just saying for the girls that are too late enjoy it its hard but its also special moments. Who cares if your not with friends the only thing that is going to look at you every day and say wow my mom is the coolest is that screaming newborn. So to all teen moms out there best of luck.....you can do it!
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 10:23PM
Christie said...I wished everyone would quit complaining about teen moms! Most of the older generation had children at the age of 15 or 16. I had my first daughter when I was 19 and 5 years later I'm still married and we now have 2 children. I'm so sick of everyone making it seem like if you have a child before you're 30 then you're a bad person! When these 50 year olds are raising their children I will be traveling and enjoying grandchildren while I'm still young!!!
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5-21-2009 @ 10:29PM
scoobymack said...Beautiful young lady. I wish her the best. http://www.image-is-us.com
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5-21-2009 @ 10:29PM
lisafrye78 said...it is good to let teens know about sex and to be careful there are to many teen haveing sex and having babys at a young age it is hard having a baby and going to work or school it is not eary being a teenager mom you cant do what ever you want,so all you teen agers think before you have sex.
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5-21-2009 @ 10:28PM
thinkingabovemypaygrade said...Maybe teens should consider NOT DATING till they are ready to consider marriage! They can fill their days with homework, volunteer work, sports, other school clubs...maybe youth group at their house of worship---and do things with friends in groups.
It is hard to expect self control in persons who are either still legally children or who are just barely adults.
This is not an easy sell....but single motherhood (or single fatherhood if the guy sticks around) is MUCH HARDER!
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 10:30PM
Tim said...Teen pregnancy has been an issue since the beginning of time and always will be. This is not a new issue.
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5-21-2009 @ 10:43PM
LeSaN said...i wouldn't blame her, because i would of done the same thing. but offcourse i would know the consiquences and all that, i am 16 years old, and my mom says its okay to have sex before marrige.. and i aagree with her, because i am the type of guy who would enjoy it, more then usuall, now dont get my wrong here, because once i go off and do it with somebody, offcourse im going to use the condom, just as my mom mentions, but now if it breaks, well then im going to have to deal with a baby, because i am against abortion!
Reply
5-21-2009 @ 11:00PM
Sandyone said...It doesn't matter what you think about abortion. It's completely out of your hands. Your girlfriend can abort your baby any time she wants to. You've got NO rights, no voice. Doesn't matter if you promise to raise the baby with no help from the mother. You can't even take her to court to stop her from aborting your child.
5-21-2009 @ 10:41PM
barb said...shame on sarah for using her daughter as a mouth piece .............we all ready know absence didn't work for her and all other teen so lets move on to the pill or something .............something that will work................again shame on sarah
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5-21-2009 @ 11:05PM
big al said...i find this family to be much like my own, i grew up with 5 sisters older than I , my parents pretty much treated the situation much like this young ladies., and by the way, we grew up, democrats, low income, with high hopes which I have achieved, only 54 years young, still a democrat, never will forget my roots, or the meaning to america, I love the Palin family, for they give me hope, with the exception of them being Republicans, but they are truly America, and my hopes for this young lady are profound, for she reminds me of my own children, in these times she is being mom, Americas apple pie to youth, Mom what a word, the meaning is so vast, it brings chills to my core, it s simply obvious, this young woman has inheritated the traits of the traditionaly American mom, and is being obviously committed to her opionion on pre marital sex and its consequences, I give her cuddoos for her candor, and her motherly
instincts, god bless americas moms, way to go kiddo
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5-21-2009 @ 11:05PM
Stella said...Who cares for baby while she is flying around to all these interviews and talk shows???? Just like her mother always looking for a camera while others care for their babies....
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5-21-2009 @ 11:00PM
melanie said...Exactly!
I have never understood having a nanny raise my child.
When I found out I was going to be a single mom, I quit my job and opened a daycare center so that I was there for every milestone and could spend all my days with him. It has been great! I can't imagine that Palin could say how awful a crying baby is and that she "doesn't even have a nanny" Bristol be grateful to have a healthy baby and let him love you, not a nanny. There are many couples out there that would love to adopt a baby.
5-21-2009 @ 11:01PM
melanie said...I think it is awful that she acts as if having a child is so awful. Sex is a choice and we all make mistakes. The outcome can be a child and I think that children are the greatest of all blessings. I'm not a teen but am a single mom of 11 years. I too, got pregnant while on the pill. But i am so glad it happened. I have chersihed every minute. And just being single can be harder. To me it has been difficult financially, but the single part has never bothered me as much as it seems to bother others. It is hard when your baby gets sick and you don't have a sitter and have to take the baby out in bad weather. But that is the major inconvenience of being a single mom. So far, my son is doing great and I hope he continues of course. I definately think that a child is a 24 hour job and MAJOR changes in a lifestyle must be changed to be a good parent. Adoption is a good option for a situation where the mother complains about the incovenience of a baby at 5 months old. She is old enough to make her decisions. I agree that abstinence is the best birth control. That does provide 100 percent protection and maybe if kids these days were more influenced to wait til marriage to have sex, then that might be more affective than scaring them about the horror of a baby.
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