A Baby with a Baby -- This is My Story

By ANA CASTILLO, 17

Some girls may dream about having a cute boyfriend that’s popular, when in reality you don’t need all that. My baby’s daddy was cute, had a car and was all geared up. That’s what a girl my age would want. We were happy together. We used to do everything together. We were inseparable. We were so in love -- or at least that’s what I thought.

In March of 2004, I found out I was pregnant. My boyfriend was the happiest person ever. He told me that he wanted a girl because girls love their dads more. I was happy about it too, but scared. When we told my parents, they cried and screamed. They were so disappointed -- they thought they had lost their little girl. At first, they wanted me to have an abortion, and they wanted to send my boyfriend to jail. I said no to everything. I knew about the consequences of having a sexual relationship with him, so I stood up for him and myself. At the end, they wanted us to get married. It was all wonderful. He was caring and gave me everything I wanted -- until he left one day. When he walked out, he left me behind with a lot of problems.

Now I have a beautiful son named Alexander who is just over a year old. Being a teenager and a single mom is not easy, but I am still making it. I graduated from Hamilton High School Class of 2005 last summer! Now I work and spend time with my son. And yeah, I go out to parties, clubs and concerts when I can. It’s just that I have more responsibilities now.

My message to young girls is to keep going and be careful about who you’re with. Think of the consequences. Keep your head up, life is beautiful! Don’t waste it crying.

Re-printed from UNITY Magazine Fall 2005. Articles by teen parents and/or UNITY staff writers. UNITY is a magazine written by Youth of the Hollywood Teen Community Project. ©