Shortly after thirty their, became the youngest grandparents of Britain. As they say, passers-by often confuse their newborn granddaughter with their child.
Their daughter became a mother at the age of 17
In June, 34-year-old Jenny Medlam and her 35-year-old husband Richard learned they were going to become grandparents as their 16-year-old daughter became pregnant. Jenny, having given birth at the age of 17, was determined to support her child. However, as the new grandmother admits, when the couple goes for a walk with their grandson, the passers-by accept the "shock of their life".
«When we go out with lsla everyone assumes she is mine and Richard's daughterHe says and adds. «When we explain to them that we are actually her grandparents, they are shocked. Most people do not believe us when we tell them. But obviously I can understand why people would think we are her parents as we are still in our early thirties».
When their daughter Sarmein told them she was pregnant, Jenny, then 33, admitted that they too were "really shocked".
After the two grandparents reconciled with the news, they say that they love their new roles. «I'm a grandmother and Richard is a grandfather. Being a new grandparent means you have more time to love your grandchild. And we can even have two grandchildren».
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She did not want her daughter to experience the same isolation she felt
When teen Jenny became a mother she did not have a support network to help her and was very isolated. So, she did not want her daughter to experience the same and swore to support her.
«'I knew exactly how Charmaine would feel when she had to tell her mom she was pregnant. But I told her that it is her body and her decision and I will support her in every way. She is an incredible mom and I think she has made the bond between me and Charmaine even stronger. I think she has even more respect for me now as her mom».
Charmaine has been with her partner and the father of her baby for almost two years. According to the new grandmother, the whole family lives under the same roof. The parents and grandparents of little Isla May, take care of her regularly to "give Charmaine a break. I think it brought us all even closer. My other girls absolutely love to have a baby at home, they like to have a niece", Says Jenny.
"Becoming a mother early does not stop your life"
The 34-year-old grandmother, who has her own cleaning business, believes that there are prejudices against teenage moms, but having a child does not mean that your life is over.
Although a teenage mother, she was able to work and raise her daughter. «Charmaine has been watching me go to work and get on well with myself as I grow up, so she knows it's possible. She wants to go to college and pursue a career in beauty. There is a stereotype about new moms that I do not think is fair. You can still enjoy your life and achieve what you want even if you have a baby when you are younger. I'm happy to be able to show my daughter that everything can still work».
via: Enimerotiko