Solange Knowles on being a teen mother
Although Solange Knowles is a busy working mom now — her Baby Jamz line is just out — the 21-year old singer, actress and little sister to Beyoncé was once a pregnant teen preparing for unexpected motherhood. At the start of 2004, she found out she was expecting at 17 years old. In October 2004, at 18, Solange and now ex-husband Daniel Smith Jr. welcomed Daniel Julez, now 3. When asked to give advice to teen mom-to-be Jamie Lynn Spears, based on her experience, Solange replied,
I have been so blessed that my son is the coolest kid ever. Of course, that first year of not sleeping and just being dedicated to him had tough parts.
I’ve heard stories of people who were 14 that had kids and basically snapped into it and got into the groove of motherhood. A lot of people have doubts, but when you have a child I think it takes a really non-emotional person not to have a blast, no matter what age.
Source: WENN via Page Six
Thanks to CBB reader Mary Beth.
- Posted on Jan 14, 08 at 1:41PM
- Permalink
- 12 Comments
January 14th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
It’s true, there are some girls who find out they’re pregnant and it seems like they grow up overnight.
Kudos to Solange for the way she’s chosen to parent.
January 14th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Agreed. Just because someone gets pregnant at a young age doesn’t mean they won’t be a good parent. You’re either a fit parent, or you aren’t. There are other factors when it comes to deciding whether or not a parent is a good parent. Age is not one of the main issues. Is the child eating, is the child safe, is the parent stable..etc.. those are the issues that should take precedence.
January 14th, 2008 at 5:30 pm
awww her kid is so cute!
I agree with her, i don’t think it matters what age you get pregnant. You either love your child unconditionally and try your hardest at being a good parent or you don’t.
January 14th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
i think shes an excellent mommy and daniel is absolutely adorable i love that whole family!!!!!!
January 14th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Solange has absolutely done a great job with Daniel. And let’s hope Jamie Lynn has the same fortune. But let’s by no means sugar coat this. These two young ladies have the advantage of financial stability on their sides. The average teenager who becomes pregnant isn’t necessarily going to be equipped to handle a child financially. Those who are should be considered the exception, and not the rule. I’m not condemning anyone’s decisions, but at the same time teenagers should know and be prepared for what comes along with their actions, good or bad.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:14 pm
I totally agree with Mary!
Many teen mothers end up dropping out of school without graduating or not going to college, as they may have planned. It can cause a huge emotional & financial hardship to the teen parent, as well as the extended families that often have to step in and help raise and support these children. I would say that Solange & Jamie Lynn are not going to have the “typical teen motherhood experience.” Many parents that had children in their teens will tell you that while they love their child unconditionally, they sacrificed and missed out on a lot when they became a parent at such a young age. I simply don’t agree that “it doesn’t matter what age you are when you get pregnant.” There always exceptions, but for the most part, a 16 year old is going to have a tougher time of it than, say, a 26 year old that has had the opportunity to build some stability for themselves.
There’s a great article in the current People Magazine on teen pregnancy. It’s a realistic look at what it’s really like to to become a parent at such a young age.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Juelz looks just like his granny!
So many people look down upon teen aged mom’s which is understandable but I’m a spiritual person and believe a lot of these young girls might have led themselves into deeper problems if they weren’t forced into responsibility. So I think it’s a gift and a blessing.
January 15th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Megan, I like your outlook on this issue, and don’t entirely disagree. I’m sure there are girls that have stepped up to the challenge and become good mothers, even at a very young age. Nicole Richie seems like an example: she has struggled with drugs, partying, and legal troubles. Since facing motherhood, it would appear that she is changing her life for the better.
My concern is for the girls that have children and don’t shape up. I’m not saying that teens can’t be good parents and older age is certainly no guarantee for good parenting. But I still believe it is better for a person to complete their education, have a chance to grow up, experience life, and build some stability before having a baby.
My sister was a teen mom. While I know she wouldn’t change it, she’s the first to point out that it’s probably one of the most difficult things she has ever gone through.
I realize that Solange was just answering a question, I just hate to think of impressionable young girls getting the wrong message about teen motherhood. It’s not something that should be simplified or sugar coated.
January 17th, 2008 at 12:20 am
AWW, SO SWEET SOLANGE! I agree Megan, that was well said. I became a mom at 14 THANK GOD! I always credit my life to that one surprise in my life! (I don’t say mistake and definitely not accident because mistakes and accidents U NEVER want to happen but a surprise, is something you didn’t know you wanted to happen until it did!)
I think at ANY age it can go either way , I know completely responsible teen parents and completely irresponsible complete adult parents.(vice versa)
I am now 36 (mom of 5), my 22 year old that i had at 14 is now in MED school, my 19 year old (yes i had 2 as a teen)started college last fall. I have a 17 year old that is about to graduate in May and has gotten into ALL of his 8 college choices! All 5 are A students! I’m a very proud MOM, through it all (man did I struggle) my children learned to be good people
Looking at it from that end, it didn’t seem possible! Looking at it from this end, I’m like I couldn’t possible ask for a better blessing
March 28th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
BABY Juelz is adorable…Solange is being a grown woman…she had her family…no matter what age she had Lil Daniel at…he’s healthy and she is raising him to be a great young man…I respect her alot.
June 24th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Solange, Jamie Lynn..do these people really know anything more than you or I do about raising kids? They probably know just as much as the teenie-boppers on that show Baby Borrowers… they can hardly feed those kids much less raise them
December 15th, 2008 at 4:24 pm
i am a teen mother and my babies are very heathy i have twin aboy and a girl they are a blessing and i thank my parents for not making me give them up……