Changing nappies, incessant screaming, and getting no sleep – just a few things of what to expect, while you’re expecting. Teenage mum, RosieLinihanfrom Wickford, Essex, experienced all of these at just 16 years old. Her little baby boy, Leo, is now turning three years old.
Rosie welcomed Leo Michael Hayward into 
the world on 12th February 2016. A ‘scary yet exciting’ experience for her. Weighing only 2lbs 15oz, little Leo was born seven weeks prematurely, with complications.
Rosie said, “it was the scariest moment of my life! I only went into the hospital for a check-up scan and ended up having an emergency C-section!”
During the birth, there were complications, leaving Leo hospitalised in intensive care for a month at Southend Neonatal Hospital. Three years on, however, Leo is a healthy, happy and energetic toddler, and is preparing to begin primary school next autumn.
Rosie stated how she felt during her pregnancy and difficult birth of Leo. She states how she felt as a new, teenage mother.
“I think I handled it all well considering how poorly Leo was”,said Rosie.“Actually adjusting to the change of having a baby was not hard at all. It was all very exciting. I never thought it was possible to love something so much,”
“There are so many good things about having him. Seeing him grow up and learn new things, I love the most. Although, it is difficult with the tantrums and finding ways to deal with challenging behaviour that works for us both.” She said.
The 20-year-old care assistant stated how friends and family’s help and support was crucial in helping her as a teenage mother. Her family specifically helped her manage the difficulty in the early stages of her child’s life.
“I had a lot of moral support from friends and family. I never felt judged byanyone, orhelped more in any way that an older parent would have been helped,” she said.
Her close-knit family includes two aunts for Leo, grandmothers and grandads, and great-grandparents. Rosie felt supported by all her family throughout her life, pregnancy, and now.
Rosie believes that nobody treated her differently being a younger mother, in comparison to an older mother, yet believes there is often a preconception about teenage mothers.
Rosie explained, “there will always be a stereotype around young mothers, more so from the older generation. Over time, there has been a reduction in judgement – people believe that we cannot cope as well, or we judge sponge off the system,”
There are common misconceptions people have about young women who are pregnant or have children. These include: not having to work and living off benefits and not having a good level of education. Rosie wished to highlight these misjudgements and show that she is different to the ‘usual’ stereotype.
She said, “I never gave up on my dreams in life when becoming a mother. I continued through college until the day I had him. I finished my course between home and college during exams. Then I got a job and paid for myself and Leo. While I worked, Leo attended nursery. I continued to work hard.”
While other college students can focus on revising and their exams, Rosie had an extra worry with Leo. Is he okay? Is he sleeping well? Is he having another tantrum? Rosie managed to complete her A-levels and obtain a successful career, all while having a newly born baby.
Despite the inevitable worry mothers have about their children, the young mum believes that having Leo has improved herself as a person. She thinks that he completes and betters her life.
“Having him has made me become more confident and driven to become the best I can be for our family,” she said.
The busy mum of one is currently planning her wedding. She also hopes to have more children to accompany Leo in the future.
Rosie’s advice to new young mums is to “just go with it. Do what’s best for you and your family.” She believes that it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks, all that should matter,isfamily. She also believes that young mothers are “just as capable” at looking after their children as older mothers are.
Melissa Naomi King 