Single women and becoming a mother

[Cassiopeia]

I mentor teens. In particular teenage girls. If there's one thing I'm always grateful for, (regrettably) is they go home at the end of our two hours together.

It is a very hard thing to take on troubled teens. I took care of my daughter, as I said when she was addicted to meth. It was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I had reason to do it. She was mine. I'm not so sure I'd have the same conviction for someone who wasn't my child that I had raised so I can see people blinking and backing up in the face of the challenge.

[Guest Alana]

I'm really trying to avoid the teenage years for as long as possible. Teenagers scare me. I feel sorry for my kids already.

[Cassiopeia]

I'm really trying to avoid the teenage years for as long as possible. Teenagers scare me. I feel sorry for my kids already.

Aww, Alana, don't be scared. You will love them. I love my daughter, even after all we went through, perhaps even more so.

I really grew to understand unconditional love and the atonement. I understand how it works more fully and it has blessed my life. She has blessed my life. Teens are a blast, just very emotional and very wonderful.

I know it sounds like a contradiction but that's because they are at odds with themselves, their body chemistry and the entire world as they try to grow into adulthood.

[Moksha]

Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this topic?? I would love to be a real mother...not nanny or auntie...but I don't want to make a mockery of God's plan either. I was really Ok with not having kids until just the past few months. Something changed in me for some reason.

Being a mother seems to be a biological imperative for a lot of women. Probably helps the species survive. You might have to do what feels right for you and trust God's love for you and your child.

[Cassiopeia]

Being a mother seems to be a biological imperative for a lot of women. Probably helps the species survive. You might have to do what feels right for you and trust God's love for you and your child.

You know it's funny you should mention this.

Before I married, I didn't want kids. I was terrified I'd be the kind of mom, my mother was. I had remembered sitting in a relief society lesson where the teacher said, if you were abused as a child you would be an abuser to your own children. I freaked. There was no way I wanted to do that to a child.

Then I married and after 10 months into the marriage I suddenly had this overwhelming need to try.

When my daughter was born and each of her brothers after her, I knew they were safe with me and that relief society lesson was wrong. I am so glad I have my three kids. We are a happy family.

[lost123]

I know what you mean. I've thought about the same thing as well. It takes a tremendous amount of faith to be patient. I would be curious what you find out.