A MUM has revealed what her parenting journey has been like after first falling pregnant when she was 14.
Elle Rose, 20, fell pregnant with her second baby at the age of 16 and went on to have her daughter a couple of weeks after turning 17.
The young mum took to TikTok to share an insight into her life after receiving messages from young girls – including a 13-year-old girl.
Filming her day-to-day life as a mum, Elle explained that both of her babies were not planned and that she fell pregnant the first time she ever had sex.
And although she “wouldn’t change them for the world,” the teen mum admits that “no one ever” warned “how lonely it really gets.”
Whilst her friends were living their “normal teenage life,” Elle was at home making bottles and putting her babies to sleep due to being on “different paths.”
She urges other mums to “never be ashamed,” but warns that it does get lonely.
Elle also says that people are quick to say that they are “here for you,” but in “reality, they are not.”
Another hurdle Elle had to face is being financially stable.
She says: “I was 14 when I gave birth to my son, in the UK you can’t get a job when you are 14.”
However, Elle was able to go to work with my dad and earn some money.
She continued: “People are quick to claim that you are on benefits, but I could not claim benefits, I was way too young and I didn’t have kids for the government to fund me.”
Elle, who always worked, was still in school and college when she had both of her kids.
Although she found it difficult to focus, Elle was motivated to complete her education.
She says: “There were times I should’ve been revising, but I was taking care of my kids.
“I feel like if you want something bad enough you will do it regardless of any situation.”
I was 14 when I gave birth to my son, in the UK you can’t get a job when you are 14
Elle Rose, 20
Elle’s believes it “ten times harder” being a teen parent, in comparison to being an older one.
Her kids continue to motivate her to do more than anything in this life.
She said: “I am only 20-years-old with a six and a three-year-old and I just want them to have the best life as they possibly can.”
The video has attracted lots of attention, with many people rushing to the comments section to share their thoughts.
According to Nuffield Trust the under-18 conception rate has decreased considerably since 2007.
Between 2007 and 2021, the under-18 conception rate in England and Wales decreased by 68 per cent, from 42 per 1,000 women to 13 per 1,000 women, resulting in 13,131 under-18 conceptions in England and Wales in 2021.
According to the Office of National Statistics of all the English regions and Wales, London has seen the biggest fall in conception rates over the last decade.
Statistics found that they decreased by 20.9 per cent since 2011.
The latest data also suggests that for the first time since records began, women outside of marriage or civil partnership have a higher conception rate than those within marriage or civil partnership.
One wrote: “I’m 22 with three girls. I wish I waited and experienced life first but I wouldn’t change them for the world.
“It’s rewarding seeing them smile everyday but the loneliness is real. You’re an amazing mum.”
Another added: “Elle you’re an amazing mum.”
A third said: “I was 16 when I had my first baby and 18 when I had my second, I’m now a full time carer to two children with additional needs.
“I wish I had waited, we’re so based on routine and the loneliness kills me”
