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.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”I’ll be a gran at 38 as my daughter’s pregnant at 14 – I know instantly after the question she asked me” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6368814309112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]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.”
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.
[quote credit=”Turquois Odom”]People say I’m glorifying teenage pregnancy, but I’m just showing my life[/quote]“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.
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!”
[quote credit=”YouTube user “]You’re an exceptional mother! I could’ve learned so much from you[/quote]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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