Hi, there.

04.18.11

Welcome! Since this is the first time many of you are visiting, I wanted to give you a basic idea of what you’ll find here.

I was compelled to create Early Mama for a number of reasons. At the most basic level, it’s because I’m a highly ambitious, plan-out-your-life type of girl who accidentally got pregnant on the day I graduated from college. Of course I was in no way prepared, but I was still surprised at the judgement and pity and isolation. I found myself searching for any indication that, despite having a baby at 22 years old, I could have a lasting relationship and a comfortable lifestyle. That I could still live the life I intended, even though I started my family early.

Then when I started writing for Babble.com — becoming the head product reviewer and a contributing style blogger — I realized how little I knew when I was pregnant. Since I was the first one of my friends to get pregnant, we weren’t talking about sleep training techniques and the best diaper rash creams. I knew squat about strollers or crib design or stylish diaper bags. Now everyone comes to me for product advice, so I figured I’d put it all in one place — for older moms and child-less friends as well. Because, honestly, who doesn’t love an adorable baby romper?

I know most of the parenting sites and blogs are targeted towards 30- and 40-something moms — and those moms are always welcome here, as well — but I also know that there are plenty of us in our 20s who are smart, loving, wildly happy mothers. We have unique challenges, sure, but there’s no reason to feel doubt, regret or discouragement when it comes to starting a family. We just have that much longer with the children we love.

If you are or were a 20-something first-time-mom with advice to share, encouraging words or suggestions for the site, email me at michelle@earlymama.com. I’d love to hear from you!

Read the “About” page for more about Early Mama, and then read the posts below for a sample of what’s to come. Also check out our brand new Facebook page!

Posted in Early Motherhood, Encouragement, Life, Style, Uncategorized

20 Comments to Hi, there.

  1. Kenziepoo
    April 18, 2011 at 8:11 pm

    What a great site Michelle! Looks great! Excited to read it! xo

  2. michellehorton
    April 19, 2011 at 2:44 am

    Thanks, Rachelle! I appreciate your support! xo

  3. Nicole
    April 19, 2011 at 3:20 am

    Hi! Just followed from Prudent Baby! I too had my first, Noah, at 22 and have since added two more blessings to the mix! While most of my new mom friends are 10 years older than me and many of my childhood friends finally starting their own families, I have been a mom for almost 7 years. Wow! So happy to find other young mothers who love what they do!

  4. Molly @ Digital Mom
    April 19, 2011 at 3:28 am

    Hey Michelle – LOVE LOVE LOVE the site, congrats on the launch. I’ll be sure to spread the word :)

  5. michellehorton
    April 19, 2011 at 3:47 am

    Thanks so much Molly! :)

  6. michellehorton
    April 19, 2011 at 3:48 am

    Nicole: Thanks so much for stopping by! Wow, we both had a baby Noah at 22 years old — a kindred spirit! :) I hope you continue to follow along!

  7. Fran
    April 19, 2011 at 8:28 am

    The site looks great! I’ve added your feed to the ones I read daily for articles to stumble and tweet. Congratulations on your launch and I wish you much success. :-)

  8. michellehorton
    April 19, 2011 at 12:21 pm

    @Fran: Thank you so much! Here’s my stumble account: http://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/earlymama/

  9. cary
    April 20, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    very cool idea! i was 25 when i had my first and living in NYC… all my friends were in their late 30′s and early 40′s. talk about feeling alone! i had all my kids before turning 30… and now in my mid 30′s i enjoy being a young mom still, with very active, fun kids… while all my friends are just getting married and starting out. good luck!

  10. michellehorton
    April 20, 2011 at 7:41 pm

    Thanks for your support, Cary! I love hearing stories like yours. My landlord is turning 40 this year and his little girl is the same age as mine. All I keep thinking is that when I’m his age, Noah will be graduating from high school! It certainly is a drastically different path.

  11. Shannon
    April 22, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    Hi Michelle,
    I’m much older than your demographic (42 with four kids, had my first at 30), but my mom was 18 when she had me (oops). But my parents were wonderful and did a good job raising my brother and me. There were a lot of great things about having a young mom. I know she sometimes felt that she was “missing out” on her 20s, but she more than made up for it in her late 30s and 40s! She would have really appreciated a site like this, had it existed back then. Good luck to you!
    Shannon

  12. michellehorton
    April 22, 2011 at 6:22 pm

    Hi Shannon, Thanks for your comment! I love hearing things like that and I’m hoping to include voices from all perspectives here — including children of young moms! Thank you for stopping by! :)

  13. Lori
    April 22, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    Thanks for creating this site! I am a 25 year old mama to 3 beautiful babies age 2, 15 months and 6 weeks. Its nice to see a community of other young moms! : )

  14. michellehorton
    April 23, 2011 at 2:01 am

    Thank you for being a part of it, Lori!! I’m very exciting about it too.

  15. Christina
    April 23, 2011 at 8:01 am

    hello! i just came over here from designmom. i was 24 when my husband and i decided to try to have a baby and when i was 18 weeks pregnant found out that our first baby was actually triplets! talk about it being tough to find other mothers in the same situation. i’m 25 now and they’re just about 2 months old now. looking forward to reading this blog :)

  16. michellehorton
    April 23, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Holy cow Christina!! Congratulations! and Wow! I’m in awe of you right now, specifically because they’re 2 months old. I only have one and now that I’m out of the “baby stage,” I often wish he had a sibling close in age to entertain him. I look forward to hearing more from you! (And thank you for stopping over!)

  17. Kate
    April 23, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    Hey there, from one early mama to another.
    Such a great idea.
    Glad there’s more than one of us out there in the world.

    (frankly it doesn’t always feel that way)

    ~ 23 and starting my family in June.

  18. michellehorton
    April 23, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    Thanks Kate! And congratulations!

  19. Andrea
    April 26, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Looks wonderful, Michelle! So exciting :)

  20. michellehorton
    April 26, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    Thanks, Andrea! Only a year in the making. :)

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