I hate the judgement over being a teen mum so lie about my age – I get mortifying comments when out with a double buggy
A WOMAN has admitted she’s so sick of the “judgement” that comes with being a teen mum that she lies about her age.
Emily first became a mother at the age of 17, and is now 20 with a three-year-old and a 10-month-old.
But she’s faced her fair share of criticism over the years, so much so that she’s decided to start saying she’s older than she actually is.
“Does anyone else lie about their age? Or is it just me?” she asked in a video on her TikTok page.
“I was 17 when I became a mum.
“And even though I am so proud to be a mum, and it’s my favourite thing ever, I hate telling people my age.
“Simply because I just can’t be arsed with the judgement.”
Emily went on to recall a recent incident, when she was out walking the dog with her kids in the double buggy.
“There was some man the other side of the street also walking his dog,” she said.
“He then shouted across telling me I looked really young and asking how old I was.
“I replied 25. I could just tell by the way this guy was talking, he gave no f**ks.
“And I just knew I was going to get the judgement hard.
“And even after saying I was 25, which is 5 years older than I actually am, he then replied going, oh, that’s a bit young to have two kids.
“Could you imagine how mortified he’d be if he actually knew I was 20?”
And the judgement has even stopped her from telling other mums her age.
“Even when I’m at soft play and I’m chatting away to another mum, who I’ve never met before, and she’s asking me about how old my kids are, I’m just sitting there thinking, I pray to God you don’t ask me my age!” she said.
“There are some girls that I’m now really good friends with and when I first told them my age, they were actually shocked.
“They said I definitely don’t look as young as 20 and I hold myself so well for being a 20-year-old.”
And it “depends” how she’s feeling as to what age she says she is.
Pros of being a young mum
Tracy Kiss, who fell pregnant at 19, has revealed what she beleives are the pros of being a young mother.
The personal trainer and blogger, from Buckinghamshire, believes women who give birth in their teens make BETTER mothers than those in their 30s.
She claims young mums snap back into shape quicker, have more energy and relate more easily to their children, meaning they’re better behaved and happier.
Tracy told Fabulous: “Women who become first-time mums in their teens make better parents than those in their 30s or 40s.
“I believe if I’d been 10 or so years older before becoming a mother then I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with my children now.
“For a start, being older I would have had less energy and therefore less patience.
“I wouldn’t be as enthusiastic to speak to people after months of sleepless nights as I was in my teens.
“My body snapped back to its pre-pregnancy size through fitness post-birth, which in turn gave me the confidence to date and find love again. I’ve never been happier than I am now at the age of 30 with two children.
“If I’d have been alone at 40 with a newborn baby I’d be more tired, less happy with my body, less energetic and far more stressed from the shock of living my life for myself instead of putting others first. Sometimes age and the innocence of ignorance is a good thing.
“As a teen mum I just got on with it, found my feet and became responsible and capable because at the time I didn’t know any different.”
“It’s not always 25. Some days I’m 21 or 24,” she said.
“It just depends, really.
“Whatever comes to my mind first when someone asks me.
“And I feel like unless you are a young mum, you won’t understand the constant judgement – that feeling like you have to lie to not get a weird look.”
And people in the comments section were quick to tell Emily they understood where she was coming from.
“I’m 29 with a 10yr year old and 2 year old,” one wrote.
“You’ll get the judgement all your 20s but start telling people. Remain proud because you’re doing amazing.
“Promise!”
“I was 24 when I had my 1st I looked really young and people asked how old I was,” another added.
“Some thought I was 17 – I carried my passport round to prove I was actually 24.”
“I’m a 20 year old first time mum to my beautiful daughter who’s currently a month old,” a third said.
“I always lie about my age and say I’m at least 23. The judgment is still ridiculous. I completely get it.”