Hello. My nickname is Tia. I'm 17 years old, and I recently graduated from high school on June 11th, and I plan on attending college in the fall (Journalism/Broadcasting and Mandarin major). Although I am not TTC or a parent, I have an extreme love for all things baby-related. For a few weeks, I began interning at a newly established teenage pregnancy center in which teen parents can find a support systems for themselves and their children for my Senior project. Although June 3rd was my last day on the job, I plan to keep a long term relationship with the Center and would like work for them again in the future.

A few reasons why I am on Baby Gagaare to learn about parenthood, see baby pictures, and read the stories of teen mothers. The daughter of a former teen father, I have always found the topic of teen pregnancy an interesting one. One thing that I truly believe is support for teen mothers. I feel that many teen mothers who fall between the cracks do so because they lack the support the need to become successful. If there is one thing I can urge ALL teen mothers to do is to please CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION. Don't let a baby stand in the way of your goals, dreams, and your future. As cliched as it sounds, I feel that knowledge is the key to success, and without it, one is doomed to viscous cycle of poverty, crime, and more teen pregnancy. In the end, it is all about SUPPORT and EDUCATION.

On the other, my lighter side....

My dream has always been to be a stay at home mother to fraternal twins (a boy and girl). I don't know why; I've just ALWAYS pictured myself having twins (they run on both sides of the family). Maybe I'll be blessed with twins sometime in the next ten years.