For 20 years, teenage mothers and their children have been gathering together for weekends in March and October. Next Sunday they will raise a glass to 20 years of teenage mother weekend. Because even though they are fewer and fewer – about 600 per year according to the most recent figures – the initiative remains desperately needed. “During such a weekend, teenage moms see that they are not alone, they learn to create a network and safety net and they can also just be teenagers,” say organizers Fara vzw – which makes pregnancy choices negotiable – and youth organization Lejo vzw. Edith was there from the start and now has a twenty-something at home. Lily and Jitse went along for the first time in October. “I hope to one day be able to just be a mom instead of a teenage mom. Because to so many people today I am nothing more.”
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Teenage mothers have been going on weekends together for 20 years: “The most frequently asked question: is there still a dad in the picture?”
