My (16m ) gf (17f) is 8 months pregnant with my daughter. Is my life actually over?

No your life isn't over silly, it's just begun.

I got pregnant at 16, had my son at 17. Was homeless & a high school drop out in between as a result, but I have zero regrets.

Yes, my parents kicked me out, there was a point during that pregnancy that I literally was taking food out of the garbage to eat. A very low point for me and I vowed that my kids would never, ever grow up thinking that they weren't loved by me.

I ended up going back to school for nursing at 19. There are a TON of resources available for you both - use them. Go to school & get certified for something quick to start a better than minimal wage job if you can. I chose a quick course for HHA, a friend of my daughters just completed a 13 month dental asst course that ended right before she had her 1st child at age 21 with the help of a pell grant.

She'll make good money at a great dentistry office with terrific benefits, while eventually going back to school.

I was a single parent for several years until remarriage, had 3 more kids and now a single parent again. Through it all I didn't once rely on my parents nor did I ever borrow shit from them.

Cut that toxic crap out of your life, just reading how you describe yourself in this situation sounds like you've been verbally abused for some time.

My son will be 30 this October! Time flies & it's a bit surreal when I think "Wow! I have a child turning 30!"

We are pretty close and to this day he will tell you that he knows that I did my best to raise him and that he never ever doubted my love for him.

My advice would be to always be honest with your kids- they remember everything.

Don't worry & stress over the little shit - 20 years later when they look back on their childhood the things that stick out is the family get togethers, family game night, all of us watching back to back episodes of Whose Line every school night before bedtime.

Pulling him out of school early to go see a Phantom Menace for Mom & son time. Playing super Nintendo together etc All of the silly, happy stuff as well as sad, scary stuff.

I've asked him if he thinks that he had a good childhood & he points out all these great little family memories and it's never the same stuff that I used to always worry over and I feel sad that I wasted so much time & energy on trivial things.

I also have a 22 daughter & twin 15 yo sons that love & look up to their older brother. If you'd asked me at 17 I would have probably said the same thing- that my life was over.

Breathe and remember nothing stays the same, even your lowest point is a temporary thing.

While you may not have a choice on becoming a Dad, you DO have a choice on what kind of one you wish to be. Your decisions now affect your own child and their development. Good luck

/r/relationship_advice Thread