Although I was surprised to learn she was pregnant her senior year, I knew she would be a great mom: if anyone can open the public's eyes to recognizing that not all "teen moms" fit the negative stereotypes we see portrayed in society, it's Jeanna.
Here are some excerpts from her interview about her life with her son, Carson:
Q: What are the biggest rewards of staying home with your children?
Seeing every milestone that he makes as he interacts with different things in his environment. The reward of knowing that he is being raised the way I want him to be raised and the reward of knowing that he is safe, getting balanced meals, regular diaper changes..etc
Q: What has been most difficult about being at home with your child?
Keeping everything tidy and clean all the time! He storms through the house like a tornado!
Q: Have you found it difficult to live on one income?
Absolutely. As a single mom working a part time job, and going to college part time, it's difficult to put money away for his future, and for groceries, expenses, transportation, etc. It becomes overwhelming but there is no way I could afford childcare even if I did work full time. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place, as they put it.
Q: Was the transition to one income difficult or were you surprised to find it didn't change your day to day life as much as you thought it would?
It hasn't changed so much. I have always been a saver of my money and know how and when to spend it. I'm never in debt, don't use credit cards so now I just purchase different things when I shop. I go to the store for diapers and formula instead of things for myself.
Q: Are you able to save money or do you live paycheck to paycheck?
Save, save, save. Since I was small, I was taught to invest my money to let it grow for when I need it. It's not much that I can put back each month, but I make it the effort to put back something, even if it is just$100- $300, it has to be something.
Q: Do you see yourself going back into the workforce once all of your children are in school?
I'll start full time once I'm out of college and Carson goes to Pre-K.
Q: If you are currently working from home, are you working full time?
I do technically work from home full time - it's 5 days a week.
Q: Do you get as much work done from home as you would if you worked the same job in an office outside of the home?
My job doesn't require me to be out of the house so I like being in the comfort of my own home so I can work when I have the chance to do so. I don't need to pack everything up to drive to an office when I have my tools at home so that saves a lot of time and is more time I can spend with Carson.
Q: While you are working from home, are you also watching your child or do you have help in the house?
I have a second pair of mommy eyes so it is my 3 eyes on him and 1 eye on the task I am doing!
Q: Do you have a strong support system locally? If so, is it comprised of family, friends, or other moms?
I have a huge support system, including my parents. Friends are supportive of me but they don't help day to day. They help by keeping me social and getting me out of the house. It's hard to find teen moms with children the same age group and teen moms that could become friends with you. I haven't clicked well with the few that I've met these past few months because our priorities are completely different.
Q: Do you regret your decision to be at home?
Absolutely not. I might regret it in the future when I have other children. I know that I will have more to come but I won't be able to stay at home with them, so this bond I have with my first bond might be stronger than with the other children I fear. I'll have to find other connections and ways to be apart of their every move when they are small.
Q: How do your children benefit from your presence at home?
He gets to be rocked to sleep for naptime and bedtime and we're constantly playing together; he gets educational stimulation throughout the day.
Much thanks to Jeanna for thoughtfully answering our questions and for sharing them with our readers. Look forward to more interviews in the future from more moms, moms-to-be and wannabe moms!
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