Teen pregnancy has always been a sensitive subject. In our society it is regarded as something negative and even something to be ashamed of.
Katie Crombie, a 17-year-old Robron student, gave birth to her beautiful baby boy Tristan in October, 2014.
Crombie has always been independent and strong, but through the pregnancy and birth of her son, she went through some of the hardest and most natural transitions of her life.
She went from an irresponsible teenager, to a loving, nurturing mother in nine months.
Almost four months after the birth of Crombie’s child, she is helping change the stereotype of a single, teen mother in Campbell River. She goes to school every day, with more enthusiasm than most.
She receives well above average grades and is more than happy to help her peers with their work. Crombie struggles, of course, as all students and mothers do, but her positive attitude and smile always shine through.
“The hardest thing so far has been finding time to fit everything in. I go to school full time. I’m trying to graduate this year, trying to get back at work and on top of it all, I have the responsibilities of a mom. That means waking up at six, daycare at seven, school until three, laundry during nap time, homework after bedtime, and then get ready for the next day,” Crombie says. “It’s all so worth it though; the most rewarding thing has been watching him grow. He has something new to show me every day. From his first giggles to the first time he rolls over. I can’t wait to see what he will do next.”
Crombie’s lifestyle has changed drastically and through that, she has lost a lot of friends.
“Kids who I thought were my friends would start rumours about me and stare at me while I wobbled though the hallways. Some of my family didn’t even support my decision to keep the baby,” Crombie says. “But I’d never change a thing. I love my life and who I am now. Even though it’s hard, I have great friends that support me and an amazing family that helps me every step of the way.
“At a time like this, you see who you want to be there by your side for the rest of your life.”