I had three kids at the age of 18 – people question my morals, say I’m ‘sick’ & accuse me of ‘glorifying teen pregnancy’
A MUM-OF-FOUR who first fell pregnant at the age of 16, has opened up on what it’s really like to be a young mother.
Then at the age of 17, Turquois Odom fell pregnant for the second time, with twins.
And by the age of 18, Turquois, who has 135,000 followers on Instagram, had three children.
Now, Turquois is a young mum of four to Taeed 19, Marcel 17, Treasure 17, Zamir, eight.
Revealing all to Truly, on an episode of My Extraordinary Family, when it comes to what life was like as a teenage mum-of-three, Turquois admitted: “When I found out I was pregnant at 16, I was super nervous.
“My mother was pretty disappointed, I actually hid it from her.
“Then, I was 17 and I got pregnant again and I found out I was having twins, so that’s how I ended up having three children by the time I was 18.
“It was really hard. I don’t advise anyone to do it.
“You know, at 18, you’re supposed to be figuring out what you want to do with your life. You’re not supposed to be raising children.”
Now, the mum-of-four posts about her family life online, but is often met with a mixed response to sharing her story.
The negativity usually centres around the fact she was a teen mum, as Turquois shared: “I receive a lot of negative comments in regards to me being a teenage parent. It’s as if people want me to go hide in the house.”
Turquois claimed that people will question ‘what happened’ to her morals, call her ‘sick’ and advise her to ‘stop flexing’ the fact that she is a young mum.
Not only this, but Turquois also revealed that haters have said she needs ‘a chastity belt and straight jacket’ and others have commented, ‘just another grown woman I will look at as an example of what not to do.’
Additionally, the mother confessed: “People say I’m glorifying teenage pregnancy, but I’m just showing my life.”
When it comes to how Turquois deals with the hate, she acknowledged: “Sometimes I respond back to negative comments but I’ve learned that it’s best to not respond, because a lot of people on social media can go back and forth for days.”
UK Teen Mum Statistics
Teen pregnancies in the UK have been decreasing considerably since 2007...
The under-18 conception rate has decreased considerably since 2007, reports Nuffield Trust.
Between 2007 and 2021, the under-18 conception rate in England and Wales decreased by 68%, from 42 per 1,000 women to 13 per 1,000 women.
This resulted in 13,131 under-18 conceptions in England and Wales in 2021.
While Turquois’ children are aware of the judgement, Marcel explained: “I’m more focused on the positivity and the positivity outweighs the negativity.”
Meanwhile, Treasure claimed whilst the family have not experienced judgement in person, there have just been occasions where people think her mum is her sister.
But despite it all, Turquois is proud of the way she has raised her children and the woman she has become, as she beamed: “Being a parent is hard at any age, but as long as you do your best and you love your children, things will be good.
People say I’m glorifying teenage pregnancy, but I’m just showing my life
Turquois Odom
“I’m super proud of the way I raise my children and of the woman that I am today, the mother that I am today.”
Not only this, but she shared her dreams to expand her family in the future, as she highlighted: “I hope that all my children live successful, happy lives and that one day they make me a grandmother.
“But we have some time for that – we’re speaking in the future.”
Social media users react
The clip, which was posted on social media just 19 hours ago, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly racked up 19,399 views.
Here's why I love being a young mum
Tracy Kiss, who fell pregnant at 19, has revealed what she believes 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.”
Despite the hate Turquois often receives, YouTube users were eager to support the young mother.
One person said: “She’s trying her best and the kids are well adjusted. Kudos to her!”
You’re an exceptional mother! I could’ve learned so much from you
YouTube user
Another added: “Young or not she’s doing a great job with her kids.”
A third commented: “She seems like a great mum, she has raised polite and respectful children which is more than most families manage these days.”
Whilst someone else chimed in: “You’re an exceptional mother! I could’ve learned so much from you. God bless.”
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