Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Zoe Armstrong: Five Ways to Fake a Break and Avoid Parenting Burnout
How To Help Victims Of The Tornado
Oh, Baby: Teen Mom Blogs Pregnancy on YouTube
Filed under: In The News
Jessica Shafer was 17 when she found out she was expecting a baby, and, rather than hide her pregnancy, she decided to share it with the world via a video blog on YouTube.
Shafer, of Modesto, Calif., has posted 60 videos over the course of her pregnancy thus far -- she's due June 18 -- and says she wants to share the challenge of teen motherhood with honesty, according to a report by CBS 13 News.
"I share everything; I don't hold back," Shafer tells the news station.
Indeed, she blogs about everything from the typical aches and pains of pregnancy to the excitement of the day she found out the gender of her child -- a girl whom she and her fiance will name Lilia.
"We're really excited!" she exclaims in the clip, a huge smile on her face.
Her story is touching people around the world, some of whom send her cards and gifts from as far away as Ireland. Shafer estimates that her blog has received around 360,000 views, and, according to her YouTube channel, she has 2,268 followers.
Shafer's mother, Wendy Payne, says her daughter is a good example for others who might be dealing with challenges in their lives.
"People who are living their own hardships, whatever they may be, can see that she has a challenge and she's choosing to react to it in a positive manner," Payne tells CBS 13.
Shafer, now 18, will graduate from high school in June with straight 'A's, and she plans to attend college with the support of Lilia's father and her own parents. For those who may say she is glamorizing teen pregnancy, she has these words: "They're like, 'Oh, you are promoting teen pregnancy,' and I'm not," she tells CBS 13. "I mean, I'm showing them in my videos how hard it is, too."
Related: Teen Pregnancies at Record Low In California











ReaderComments (Page 1 of 27)
5-14-2010 @ 12:47PM
Lenn said...What a brave and wonderful girl! she will be an excellent mother.
Reply
5-15-2010 @ 7:02AM
Denise said...Oh pulease....I was a parent at 16 and it is NOT all peaches and cream little girl. You're in for it....you'll see. And stop saying LIKE....LIKE....and like.....it makes you sound like such a child trying to be an adult! You should blog on your child's 3 year old birthday! Let's see how bubbly you are then! Good luck....really. It's not a baby doll....oh boy!
5-15-2010 @ 7:45AM
Wardo said...Wonderful mother? Who's going to pay to take care of this child? Modesto tax payers, that's who. How else will she buy diapers and formula? And who got her pregnant, her voice is so annoying..."Like, like, like." God help that poor child.
5-15-2010 @ 7:29AM
REE said...she look stupid dont uplift her before she know what life is she bringing an innocent one in the world to ruin its life going blindly through life with its life this is not easy an i was 18 i know!!!!!!!!!dont reward this damn girl or others!!!
5-15-2010 @ 7:24AM
Larry Klamerus said...Please, give me a break. Guess who is going to raise her child for her? Here's a little clue, mom & dad.
5-15-2010 @ 8:10AM
lory said...great! but who is paying for this pregnancy? the taxpayers? nowadays women get pregnant and just "assume" welfare will be paying for the child! and they do -- thousands and thousands of dollars! how about BEFORE you get pregnant you make sure you can afford this pregnancy because i don't care if you give up your teenage years to be a mommy, i don't care if in two years the novelty has worn off and your mom is now the grandmommy, what i care about - and what pisses me off -- is the general assumption nowadays that if you get pregnant the next thing you do is apply for welfare and food stamps and the medical card at MY EXPENSE! so now that it's a done deal, how about getting your tubes tied because i really resent paying for one, i don't want to pay for two or three or ten because again, the more you have the more welfare benefits you will receive. but i bet you figured that out already, didn't you? and yet it's not too late to stop this cycle of "welfare madness"! how about ADOPTION? you know, giving the baby up to people who aren't dependent on welfare to buy their baby's formula? naw! you get to play mommy and someone else gets to pick up the tab! wonderful! and cudos to your mommy for raising such a responsible, remarkable child! is she trailer trash, too?
5-15-2010 @ 7:33AM
andrew said...There is nothing brave about a 17 year old girl getting pregnent(actually it's the opposite). The brave thing is for a 17 year old girl to not give into pressure and have sex with someone who is to young to even understand what love really means. As far as I'm concerned she's a idiot and there's a 99% chance the baby will become a burden to society. In the end the world will be better off if she has an abortion. Andrew
5-15-2010 @ 7:37AM
concerned said...are you KIDDING ME??!!!!! this is the saddest thing i have ever see it is really sad to see that people will think this is OK i have a few questions.
1.who is paying for this baby????? TAX PAYERS
2.what happens when the sperm donor decides to leave???? its fun now but wait til the child comes.
3.And why would a mother condone this kind of action???? Her mom should be ashamed to let her go on like this.
I think if you are a teen and pregnant you should not be able to get help from the government but your parents need to support you and all the expenses I think that will cure this kind of problem, and hold parents accountable for their children’s actions. I bet her mother would change her tune real quick if that was the case. And LENN you must be her friend because everyone else thinks this is stupid.
5-15-2010 @ 7:43AM
Beckha said...Jessica, If you truly want to save money on diapers compare and consider cloth diapers. They are more baby friendly, better to use for burping (you cannot put a plastic diaper on your shoulder). You can also contact diaper companies and ask for samples, most will send you coupons along with the sample. You should also be contacting PAT (Parents as Teachers) now. You can ask your councellor or principal for the contact info. They will be a great resource for you.
5-15-2010 @ 8:05AM
Lamar said...Pregnancy is nothing to play around with mainly at a young age. I'm glad this young lady is doing what she is doing and that she has all the support from both side of the family. A lot of parent don't like the word pregnant or talk about it at a young age and who does, but one need's to know as I needed that some 43 years ago. Go, for it girl
5-15-2010 @ 8:17AM
Pam said...Lenn, I was a teen mom. I want you and others to k now that the father and I remain married. We have been married for 31 years. I applaud you and you choice.
As to some of you who are responding to this brave girl. I have a duel masters degree and never once got any aid. My spouse and I worked to earn it all. We also never got any handouts from anybody. I even hocked jewelry to feed my son. Please do not make blanket statements that this child will grow up for the less being the child of a teen. My son is married and has a degree and works for a college. We also have a younger child who is a high school graduate and has a fine job. Your remarks towards this young lady hurt me. You speak based on reasons that only you may understand. It saddens me that so many of you are so negative.
Lenn, I pray that your blog reaches young women that are in need of your words. I applaud you. I will pray for you and your child. May God bless you and your life with your baby. You are loved. I admire you.
5-15-2010 @ 10:07AM
Brandon said...Did you really call her brave??? What is brave about having sex, no job and your parents will be raising child. You are crazy!!!
5-15-2010 @ 8:19AM
erica said...why cause she made a youtube video? who cares! my daughter is seventeen and it is one of her top priorities NOT to get pregnant! and hmmmm i wonder what kind of video she would make with her two yr old in the backround.....really?
5-15-2010 @ 8:33AM
mel said...I cannot believe people are applauding a 17 year old getting pregnant...hello... birth control??
5-15-2010 @ 8:37AM
sandi said...are you kidding me? there's nothing brave about keeping a baby at 17. many teens see a baby as something to show off to their friends.as a mom of 3 girls, it makes me sad to see this trend. i'm sure mtv won't have a show about the children of these teens in 10 years. the babies have a hard life ahead of them...too bad these moms can't be truly brave and put these children up for adoption. i know way too many adult couples who could give these children a loving and stable home. that should be the trend.
5-15-2010 @ 8:41AM
Mare said...I listened to the video! I am a Mom of 3 and if I was your Mom I would be very proud of you. Good luck with your new baby, please keep your positive nature, you will be a wonderful Mom. Good Luck, you seem like a great girl.
5-15-2010 @ 8:42AM
ohstops said...for all of you negative ppl stop and think she is already preg, all of the planning really changes when the baby really is in your arms.At that time nurture and nature take over.You negative ppl need to walk in her shoes, and i have seen how many women are years after an abortion it is not always the best for the mom and the rest of us.I think we always have room for another human here and if we dont then something is wrong with us and not a young mother who needs support.So she is not good at speaking in front of a camera she is making this a positive experience.I wish her well and I am sure she will never regret this choice. John Broadwell
5-15-2010 @ 8:46AM
Alex said...Are you freaking serious??? Who cares if this girl is having a baby, and how she went shopping for baby stuff, and what she's eating? There are so many more interesting things going on in this word. And Umm, like, umm, like totally, umm, and ummm!!!! I think you are stupid!!! and your blogs are a waste of time, I can't believe I just watched a few minutes of this mindless babble!!!!! UMmm, Ummmm!!!
5-15-2010 @ 8:56AM
kristamcdonnell said...i really think ur ganna hv a girl bcz ur middle part where ur belly button is would be up higher fr a boy but urs is down pretty low. but i guess it might be too soon to guess. well take care. o n ur verry pretty. =)
5-15-2010 @ 9:01AM
Jane said...You people are disgusting with your PATHETIC comments "Who's gonna pay for this? The taxpayers!" "Stop saying like!" "Waaa waaa waaaa" Talk about nasty and immature behavior.
Just because some of you chose to KEEP your babies when you didn't want to doesn't mean that EVERY young mother will resent their children like YOU do. That is what is disturbing. The fact that we have mothers on here filled with anger and resentment because they CHOSE their life and their situations. Lol, it's sad.
I think she is human and is choosing, like she has every right to, what she feels is best in her life.
How many of you got straight A's in school? Honestly? Lol...I'm assuming NONE of you. Which is why she will probably do just fine in life because she is capable and realizes this baby isn't a "baby doll" but a human being who she helped create AND IT IS HER CHILD. SHE GETS TO KEEP IT IF SHE WANTS. Gee? Who would of thought?
Stop acting like angry morons and actually demonstrate support. You pay for immigrants as it is, lol, so don't throw out "oh, the taxpayers have to pay for her on welfare". The ignorance cracks me up.