A teen mom stays strong

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2010 spotlight index

Catelynn from MTV's show “Teen Mom”

Getting pregnant when you’re a teen is a life-changing event. One option for a pregnant teen is to place her child for adoption. Read our interview with MTV’s “Teen Mom” star, Catelynn, to see how getting pregnant at age 16 changed her life and how she’s coping after placing her daughter with her adoptive parents, Brandon and Teresa.

How did you get picked to be on the show “Teen Mom”?

Tyler, Carly’s birth father, and I were picked through our adoption agency, which MTV had reached out to.

What kind of reaction do you get from other teen moms who decided not place their child with adoptive parents?

A lot of teen moms tell me to stay strong, and a lot of them say they regret not looking into other options themselves.

Do you ever wish you made a different choice?

No, I do not. I am 100% sure about my decision.

What kinds of things have helped you cope with placing Carly with her adoptive parents Brandon and Teresa?

Getting pictures of Carly and calls from Brandon and Teresa have helped us cope. Seeing how happy Carly is also helps, and just knowing that we can trust Brandon and Teresa.

Has being on “Teen Mom” helped you deal with all of these emotions?

Yes, being on "Teen Mom" helps me deal with these emotions because I end up talking about them a lot more than I normally would.

What kind of relationship do you have with Carly now?

I have a good relationship with Carly. We are like family, I feel like an aunt toward her.

How different do you think your life would have been if you decided not to place Carly?

If I kept Carly, my life would have been opposite of what it is now. I know for a fact that I would not be in high school and I would not be graduating. I would be sitting at home taking care of a baby and relying on Tyler to do everything.

Has being a teen mom changed your relationship with your own mom?

Yes, it actually has. Ever since I had Carly, my mom and I have separated a lot, and have really gone our own different ways. I feel like I’ve grown up so much, and at the same time, she's still the same — staying where she is.

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