Mum-of-two Caitlin Fladager says getting pregnant at 18 has changed her life for the better
It's widley assumed that getting pregnant as a teenager is a bad thing, but one teen mum is keen to prove that's not always the case.
When she was 18, Caitlin Fladager fell pregnant by her high school sweetheart Noah Slomski. Unsurprisingly, the teens were warned that going through with the pregnancy would be a big mistake, however now - five years on - Caitlin says this couldn't be further from the case.
Now 23, Caitlin is married to Noah, and the couple now have two children together - Ariana and Jack - and couldn't be happier. And Cailtin wants everyone to know it!
Posting a super-cute compilation video of some of her families happiest moments on Twitter, Caitlin wrote: "When I got pregnant at 18, I was told my life would be over. But really, it was just beginning. ❤️"
Caitlin, who lives in Canada and now has a successful career as a blogger (she has nearly 48,000 followers on Twitter and 222,0000 followers in Instagram), often uses her platform to tackle issues around motherhood.
Earlier this year, she published the following Instagram post about the conflicting messages and pressures mums face, saying: "When I got pregnant at 18 with my daughter, I got told I was too young, that I should've waited until I was old enough to legally drink, then with my son, I got pregnant at 20, even though I could drink, I still got told I was too young.
"When I had my daughter and wasn't married, I got told she was a bastard child and you should be married before having children. Then with my son I was married before I had him, I then got told I was too young to be married.
"When I was a stay at home mom with my daughter, I got called lazy and asked how I was able to mooch off my man for money. When I got a job, I was asked how I was able to leave my daughter all day to go to work.
"When I decided to formula feed my daughter, I was selfish for giving up breastfeeding. But when I continued to breastfeed my son for 6 months, i was told I have no right to brag about it because I didn't do it with my daughter.
"When my daughter was an only child, I was constantly asked when I was going to give her someone to play with. But when I got pregnant with my son, I was asked why I wanted another so soon.
"When I share about my husband and I arguing sometimes, I'm airing my dirty laundry. But when I keep things private like they should be, I'm told I'm trying to act perfect.
"When I vaccinated my daughter, I was told to research them more and become more educated, when I researched more just out of curiosity, I was told I was dumb for just not getting them done.
"When I didn't cosleep with my daughter, I was told she wouldn't have a bond with me, but when I cosplept with my son, I was spoiling him too much and he would never be able to sleep without me.
"When I told people I didn't want to go to university, they said I wouldn't be able to get a good job. But when I decided I wanted to go, they asked how I would be able to leave my child while going.
"In the end, people will judge no matter what you do. So you better make decisions that work for you and your family. Because in the end, it only matters if you're happy!"
She may only be 23, but Caitlin Fladager seems to have it all pretty sorted!
Did you get pregnant as a teenager, and think it changed your life for the better? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter
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