Jamie Lynn Spears and Maddie's Day Out

she looks amazing postpartum

- ellen on August 7th, 2008

Wow Jamie Lynn looks fabulous for 7 weeks post partum!

I am also 17 and I know that people think it’s not good to have a baby at that age, but I think she is really lucky, because I would love to have a baby now.

- Stéph on August 7th, 2008

She looks fabulous.

- MommyX2 on August 7th, 2008

Wow! she looks great!

Best wishes to her and her fam.

- Bren on August 7th, 2008

Jamie Lynn looks awesome and she seems to be doing a great job with the baby! Good for her!

- HeatherR on August 7th, 2008

she looks great. It is sad she is in Louisiana or McComb and still being stalked by photgs though. I guess she will never get completely away from it. I was happy to see pics of Maddie in OK, but I hope they can lead a somewhat normal life for awhile. If that means no pics for awhile, that is fine with me.

- tink1217 on August 7th, 2008

Steph,

loving to have a baby now is one thing…being able to support yourself and the baby is something all together different!

- Mel on August 7th, 2008

I agree with Tink. I lived in Louisiana for a while not far from where she is so I am sure that the photogs are a big eye-sore. In L.A., there are lots of buildings and high-rises for the paparazzi to blend in with, but in that area, not so much.

Makes one wonder if there will ever come a day when there are more restrictions placed on them (the paparazzi).

- Becky's Daughter on August 7th, 2008

uh steph…i had a baby at 19 and i would suggest that you WAIT. i dont have a horror story to tell you about how traggic my life turned out b/c thats not the way it happened (im married, finished school, travel, and Im in my career) but even with having done all these things it was MUCH harder being so young and having a child…Please just WAIT

- cm on August 7th, 2008

Looks like Stéph just opened a can of worm there.

- stephanie on August 7th, 2008

She looks so amazing.

Steph, I don’t know if anyone would suggest you start having a baby at your age. I’m 20 and know I want to wait 5-10 more years before I have any children because I’m wayyy too selfish to have a child now. Having a baby is not easy and I doubt Jamie Lynn would encourage 17-year-olds to have children.

- Stephany on August 7th, 2008

Jamie Lynn looks great! She looks like she has a death grip on baby Maddie though in the second picture. I could imagine being scared around papparazzi, especially with your newborn child. I commend her, I know she has only had the baby for 7 weeks now, but she is doing a great job staying low key and trying to help her baby lead as normal as a life as possible.

- Jaime on August 7th, 2008

This is a girl who was hired to be an actress because she was able to be believable to preteen girls. And her own personal life choice is now something else “girls” are learning from.

I understand when a teenager gets pregnant people need to be supportive and go on and on about how its not that bad. Because the reality is that it is that bad.

I’m the child of a teen mom. And now she knows she should have waited. There is more to being a mom than changing diapers or staying up all night.

Of course a 17 year old can change a diaper and deal with a baby – that’s why 17 year olds babysit. But in 10 years she will be a 27 year old dealing with a 10 year old – and as that kid it sucks.

- betsy on August 7th, 2008

Jamie Lynn looks amazing postpartum!!! I wish I looked that good after I had my daughter LOL LOL.

I agree with the other ladies on the Steph comment….its better you wait to have a child wait until you are truely ready not just because it looks fun or everyone else has one…they are lots of hard work and very time consuming even though they are so small…its not just feeding and changing its so much more!!!

- Meagan on August 7th, 2008

wow, i can’t believe how jamie lynn’s body looks totally back to “normal”!! i know i should be used to it now since every celebrity mom looks fab minutes after baby but still! my body is totally unrecognizable after having 2 kids via c-section. and i don’t mean just weight i mean like sagging and a belly that still looks preggo after 2 years no matter how hard i work out. is it just me or what?!!!

- umma on August 7th, 2008

At this point her age is a moot point. She had a baby she is raising it let’s move on. Sure it wasn’t the BEST choice but it was HER choice. If we don’t like it we can use it as a learning tool for our own children.Also it just may be possible that the 17 year old that says she wants a baby may just be a pot stirrer. It is obvious this gets people worked up and some people thrive on this.

- Bell on August 7th, 2008

I think if everyone can be adults it does not have to mean a can of worms was opened. I got pregnant with my first at 17, delivered at 18. A lot of my friends were ‘jealous’ while I was pregnant, and even after if they weren’t around me often. What a lot of my friends who were around realized was while it looks easy it most definitely is not. I struggled and in fact I am still struggling. I wouldn’t take back becoming a mother for anything but I do wish I had been even just a few years older. I’m a tiny bit jealous of some of my high school classmates who finished college, bought a house, got married and then had children. Many of them can stay home with their children and not stress about money.
Anyways Jamie Lynn looks great!

- Amanda on August 7th, 2008

Jamie Lynn looks great for only being 7 weeks postpardom! I’m really happy for her, she seems to be such a great mom already. You can really tell that she is filling out her role well, and I commend her for trying to give her baby girl a normal life.

Did anyone else notice the death grip she has on baby Maddie in the second picture? I can imagine it’s pretty terrifying having people follow you around all the time, especially when you’re with your children. I think there needs to be strict rules when it comes to photogs. I don’t see how this isn’t stalking someone. I feel like that has been one of the major downfalls of her sister Britney, always being hounded by the paparazzi, and people making her out to be a bad mother for driving with her son on her lap or almost falling with him. She is a mother just like anyone else, and everyone makes mistakes. I can remember back when I was a child riding on my fathers lap down the street–pretending to drive! I feel bad for all the celebrities that have to deal with this everyday. And, I understand it is the life they have chosen to lead going into show business. But, I believe everyone deserves their own space.

- Jaime on August 7th, 2008

@steph: im 16 and i too would love to have a baby right now. but i know im far too young to handle that at my age, and im sure you feel the same!

10 years MINIMUM before i even consider thinking about the possibility (;

- jayday on August 7th, 2008

Jamie Lynn looks great and so down to earth!! I love that she has Maddie in a Graco stroller and that she is going shopping at Walmart, like some of us non-celeb moms do
…..I think she is really trying to live a happy ‘normal’ life in a place where she was raised as a little girl. I think she is/will continue to be a great mommy.

- Amanda on August 7th, 2008

I agree with Stephanie.

I think the thread should probably be blocked off now, or someone delete the comment, because its going to be a firestorm in here soon.

I’m 20, and when I was riding the train home with some girlfriends we read this weeks People. When we saw Shiloh holding Vivienne we all reacted the same way “I want a baby!” Simply caught in the moment, and dazed by how freakin CUTE that little girl is. But we all know better than to desperately want a child now. We’ve got school, and then student loans ahead of us. None of us could manage a child, and we know that.

I guess what I’m trying to say is dont panic. Hopefully Steph didnt mean it seriously, just caught up in the moment. Just trying to ease the mind of all the other readers, even though I doubt that made little sense to anyone but me.

Summary: Sometimes you just get caught up in a moment of baby fever by a cute kid & not every young girl is trying to have a baby.

- Jenny on August 7th, 2008

I admire Jamie Lynn’s humbleness. Hollywood doesnt seem to have affected her. I wish her well and I think she’s making the best of her situation.

- Lissette on August 7th, 2008

Steph,
I’m sure Jamie Lynn is doing great, and I can understand having a baby looks fun, but Jamie Lynn is in a much better situation to raise a child than most teens. She has the means to support a child. It’s a struggle for most teen parents.

- Nicole on August 7th, 2008

Most of the time getting pregnant as a teen is not a good situation. HOWEVER…not all teens are created equally. I don’t advocate teen pregnancy in the least. BUT…I was 18 when I got pregnant with my daughter. I was engaged and planning a wedding to my high school sweetheart at the time. We had been committed to each other for almost 2 years. We were living on our own, him working full time and me part time. Our families were extremely supportive. Which is why I think we did ok. We moved the wedding up because we both wanted to be married when the baby came. I have been told by so many people what a responsible and wonderful mother I was and still am. I had another child when my first was 18 months. And, although my marriage didn’t last for many reasons beyond my own control that I will not get into I remained the strong, responsible mother I always was. Yes, financially it was very hard. Especially when my son developed his health problems. I was very lucky to have family support. But I do not regret having had my kids when I did. I believe I was ready to be a mother and I believe I have done a good job. So, you can’t lump all teen moms into one category. For MOST women it is better to wait, go to school, have a career, have a husband you love and money in the bank. But it doesn’t always work out that way. Educating our children is the best way to prevent teen pregnancy. I am proud to say my daughter is 19 and in college and working part time enjoying life and NOT thinking about having a baby for at least another 5 years. I must have done something right along the way.

- tink1217 on August 7th, 2008

Is it just me or is it nice to see a celebrity using products that I can afford also. I get so tired of seeing newborns in $60.00 t-shirts and $200.00 blankets.

- kristen on August 7th, 2008

Not at all surprising she bounced back so quickly. She’s 17! Too funny that people find her relatively quick weight loss surprising.

Kristen, I totally agree. (And I can afford the outrageously expensive stuff.)

- Lenny on August 7th, 2008

I had my son at 19 and I don’t regret a single second of it. My life is so much more enriched and fulfilled because of him.

- babyboopie on August 7th, 2008

kristen, I think the same thing! It is so nice to see someone who shops at Babies R us instead of Petit tresor or BelBambini. I am sure she received gifts from more posh places, but for everyday….babies don’t care what they wear!! They are just going to spit up or poop on them anyway!

- tink1217 on August 7th, 2008

I COMPLETELY agree with Kristen! just because you have the money doesn’t mean you have to go out and buy insanely expensive things. a lot of the time they’re only more expenisve because who makes it,it doesn’t mean it’s a better quality or anything. why pay loads of money on clothes a baby will only wear for a couple months?

- jillyen on August 7th, 2008

How great she looks! Good job Jaime Lynn.

Cute blanket too!

- Mom Of Boys* on August 7th, 2008

What is with people saying she has a death grip on her daughter? All I see is her supporting her head and bottom like you’re supposed to do with newborns. Hold her normally, people say its a death grip, hold her loosely and you get accused of holding your baby like a rag doll aka gwyneth paltrow. You just can’t win lol She certainly doesn’t look scared of the paparazzi either. She’s used to it I’m sure.

- Sheena on August 7th, 2008

I have to say, when I was in high school, I totally wanted to have babies right. a. way. I loved babysitting and thought being pregnant and having a baby would be soooo cool. I had my first baby at 30. So saying you’d love to have a baby at 17 and actually HAVING the baby are two totally seperate things. Maybe cut Steph some slack for speaking her mind? She didn’t say she was going to run out and get knocked, just that she’d like to have a baby now too.

And Kristen, I totally agree with you on seeing a celeb using affordable products.

- Lesha on August 7th, 2008

I guess I’ll play devils advocate….

I got pregnant at 16 and had my daughter at 17. I’m now 26 and the mother to a wonderful 9 year old. I think having kids young is easier. I have alot more patience than some moms twice my age. Also, I have energy to play with my kids. Because I was so young, I didn’t have a career, so my child is not competing for attention with my career, as is the case with alot of 30-40 something moms. I love being a mom such much, I had three more. My husband and I got married when I was 16 and we just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary.

- Shannon on August 7th, 2008

I still can’t believe Jamie is a Mom now. Wow. I think she’s doing/will do a much better job at raising her child/children as oppossed to her big Sis, Britney. Can’t believe Jamie shops at Walmart just like us! Very cool. Jamie wasn’t overweight before she got pregnant so I had no doubt she would bounce back into shape! Of course if she was overweight and 17, it would def be harder for her to lose some weight I think regardless of her age.

- Doreen on August 7th, 2008

yah, i’m loving the graco stroller and $10 blanket, kristin! makes celebs seem a little more like regular people. so many times i see cute stuff on this site that i’d LOVE to buy for my baby, but there is no way i could afford it. $60 t-shirts are out of our budget for sure. but this is stuff i could actually get! i like the metrolite system.

- MB on August 7th, 2008

Steph, I would just like to say that I can relate to you, and really agree with what you are saying. As crazy as it may sound, I’ve wanted to have kids since I was like 5. I know that sounds insane, but I’ve just always been in awe of mothers and have always loved to observe the ways in which they interact with their children. When I was in middle school, I was always waiting for the next step so that I could get on with my life and be closer to getting married and starting a family. It was the same thing is high school. I couldn’t wait for it to be over.

Now I’m 18 and about to begin my sophomore year of college. I know that I need to at least get through these four years before I can actually get to where I want to be. It’s so hard right now, because I’m constantly thinking about the future and wanting it to be here right now, but I know that one day I will surely thank myself for waiting until I’m truly ready. Sometimes I think that I’m ready, and then I have to pinch myself and remember that I just really want to be ready, but one day I will be. I just want to do things the right way and not have any regrets later on.

A good friend of mine takes a few college courses with a lot of very young (21ish) married mothers. She often tells me about how jealous she is because she wants that so badly, but I just have to keep reminding her that by waiting, she’ll be in a much better place than those girls later on. I’m sure that they’re wonderful mothers, but they’re struggling. They obviously have to take time away from their families to take these college classes. I don’t know why anyone would want that for themselves.

I’m sorry that this is so long, but I’d just like to tell Steph that by taking the time to get your life in order now, you’ll be setting yourself and your future family up for a much better life.

- Morgan on August 7th, 2008

I have to agree. I think it’s great to see her using a normal everyday stroller and a cheap little blanket and not some $900.00 stroller or $400.00 blanket! Great to see she’s trying to do the “normal” things if that’s possible.

Secondly, JLS looks GREAT because she’s 17. It’s easy to lose weight when your a child!!

And thirdly as far as the whole teen mom thing I too don’t advocate having kids young but with JLS it is what it is at this point.

My advice to Steph would be to get yourself an infant to watch for a weekend and then you’ll truly know if your prepared to be a mom. I’ve never been 17 and “jealous” of others with kids. I love kids and at 17 was doing a lot of babysitting which occupied my need for wanting them 24/7. At 25 now I can say I feel financially, emotionally and physically ready…but there is one thing missing……a man!! But with time that will come and then I know I’ll be ready. I don’t think anyone who has a child regrets their decisions because it was supposed to be but just be smart and wise to know for sure because wants it happens you can’t take it back!!

- JM on August 7th, 2008

Jamielynn looks great for being 7 weeks pp.

- sara on August 7th, 2008

Although Jamie Lynn looks great and very put together yet normal, especially for a teenage mom (or mom in general, lol), it is sad that the paps have to stalk her & her daughter even on her trips to the local supermarket and WalMart in Louisiana or MS no less!

It’s not exactly like when her sister Britney took her son out to FAO Swartz in NYC (with a baby on one hip & a drink in the other hand, no less) or shopping in Los Angeles or something. No, Jamie Lynn’s just trying to run errands at a middle-of-nowhere WalMart like anyone would, and the photographers stalk her?! Sheesh!

- Autumn on August 7th, 2008

One word: Flawless.

- Hea on August 7th, 2008

First of all, to all of you who are attacking Steph, how do you know she is not ready and cannot support her baby?

Not everyone wants to travel, go to clubs and stuff before having kids. I in her age also wanted a baby. I waited, as it was advised, now Im 32 and struggling with infertility for past 5 years (due to condition I didnt have till I was 25)

So Steph, even if you are only 17, but ready to support and love your baby, you have my blessing.

- Molly on August 7th, 2008

I would have to wonder if Jamie Lynn isn’t a little older than the average 17 year old. She seems to have enough experience of what not to do. I am happy for her that she is choosing to live outside of LA, shopping at Walmart and not eating at the Ivy.

- kristen on August 7th, 2008

DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE BAG SHE IS CARRYING?? I LOVE THAT AND THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT DIAPER BAG… FROM THE LOOKS OF IT ANYWAY!!

- MEGAN on August 7th, 2008

Umma,
It’s not just you. JL is 17 – MUCH easier to bounce back when you’re 17 than when you’re a normal age to have kids – late 20′s early 30′s…plus it’s her 1st baby. Easier to bounce back from your 1st than your 3rd or 4th.

Morgan,
I have never read anything more intelligent from an 18 year old on here. You get the prize! Keep going through your college and do what YOU need to do. Kids will come soon enough, trust me, and you WON’T regret getting your stuff done first. Good for you!!

- SH on August 7th, 2008

SH, I agree, Morgan has a good plan. Some people do, some don’t. Some want the education, some don’t though, and that’s perfectly fine. I have never been ambitious, I just wanted ever since i remember be a full time mom.

The only thing, Morgan, is that if you are a mother taking time from your family to attend the school, please keep in mind, that unless you’re SAHm (and most college graduates don’t, they start building your career) you will work and most likely take the time from yoru family as well. So either way, again, unless you’re SAHM or work from home, you will spent a majority of time away from home, especially when maternity leave in the u.s. is only 6 weeks (sorry if im wrong)

So while I agree with your whole post, I dont really think it matters whether you have a child at college or at work.

- Molly on August 7th, 2008

jamie i think that you made a bad desition but i think we all make mistakes and i think that you also had a good thing going when you were doing your tv show zoey 101 i used to watch it all the time and i also think that your baby is so cute so congradulations

- steffany on August 7th, 2008

She looks amazing! She seems like she has her head on straight and is going to be a great mom!

And also i would like to add that you dont always bounce right back after having a baby young! I have several friends from high school who still havent bounced back 4 years later.

And im 22 and just had my first baby, we were married at 19 so we waited 3 years. But still being a younger mom i’d like to say i wouldnt change it for anything, our baby was very much planned and he is a blessing:)

- Brittany on August 7th, 2008

Betsy,

Thank you for sharing your story. I totally get what you’re saying, and it is my opinion that teenagers shouldn’t have sex, let alone have babies –again, my opinion. Having said that, it is not always reality. While I think we should do what we can to communicate with young people and encourage them to wait to make choices like sex and children, i do realize that we cannot prevent it from happening and when it does each individual handles the situation differently. There will be some teenagers that get pregnant and become responsible parents and provide wonderful environments for their children. And unfortunatly there will be some that don’t. It is just my opinion that once one of these young girls is pregnant or already has a child, it is counterproductive to be judgemental. I really think that the best thing for young ladies in Jamie Lynn’s situation is support and encouragement. And I think her baby girl has as much right to be celebrated as any other baby. Maddie is a blessing just like any other child. We all make decisions at some point that may not be the best, but it is how we handle the aftermath that really shows character. I do not know Jamie Lynn personally, and I only get to see a glimpse of her life through pics and articles, but it “appears” that she is trying to make the best of her situation and provide her little girl with the best she can…a stable home with both parents in her home town away from hollywood. At this point, Jamie Lynn cannot change her age, but she can be a good mother despite her age. She seems to be on the right track, and I pray she continues.

- Marcie on August 7th, 2008

I don’t see anything worng with Stephs comment. I have a friend who recently had her baby. She’s 17, she very much wanted to have a baby- he was planned! It’s not what i would choose, but she’s very happy and so good for her.
Jamie Lynn looks great!

- Bb on August 7th, 2008

I looked like that pretty much after I had my son 17. Actually, I looked like I was never ever pregnant. Jamie Lynn looks terrific!

As a teenage mom or former one (my kids are 17 and 19 now) I do not and I will never recommend it. Whether you are married or have parental support or have a high school diploma or come from a wealth family.

What a lot of teen moms fail to realize is that it takes MONEY to raise a child and most teenages do not have any and are dependent on money from their parents or the state. And while everyone is touting parental support a survey of caregivers to teen parents leaned toward resentment that their home, money and retirement plans were going to a baby that was never in their plans. I think it’s very very unfair to burden grandparents or welfare with a baby because you think “it will be fun” or you couldn’t keep your legs closed.

And now with a recession about to hit us, the group of people struggling the most with layoffs and job losses and low wages are teenaged and 20-something workers, especially those without any in-demand skill or a college degree.

I would never look to Jamie Lynn or The Gilmore Girls as examples of how things could work out. This people fiction or non-fiction had money and lots of it.

And while all babies should be loved, don’t believe the Beatles “that love is all you need”. It’s naive. I wish MTV did a documentary featuring teen parents and see them try to buy diapers, get baby check-ups, rent an apartment and get a job using only love. I’m quite serious. No money. No parent intervention. No state assistance. Just for 1 day. Then tell me love is all you need to take care of a baby.

- sheba on August 7th, 2008

I’m due in six weeks. Hopefully I can look that good 7 weeks postpartum!

- Jen on August 7th, 2008

Morgan,
I went to college, got a BS degree, (met my husband while there), graduated, worked for 5 years, then started having my kids (we have 4). Yes, as a mother you have to sacrifice…but that’s in any situation. I’m at home with my kids NOW but it won’t always be that way. The kids will eventually go to school then I can work again. We get by on my husbands salary. It’s a sacrifice that I think more people could handle if they wanted to. Having a college degree gives you something to fall back on that’s way more desireable to employers than a HS diploma. That’s not being mean, just a fact. Get your college done before having kids. You have the right plan. As a mother, if my kids had your ambition at your age I would be SO thankful. Having kids is hard and when you have them all you want to do is give them everything. It’s so much nicer when you don’t have to struggle. Waiting until you have your education and are married usually means you’ll struggle less…IMO

- SH on August 7th, 2008

Well said, Morgan! Here’s my issue, and this isn’t directed at anyone in particular, nor is it an attack on Jamie Lynn; but I’m just tired of young motherhood being glorified constantly! Yes, it is for some people, but obviously not for everyone. I’m 22, and many of my friends are married or engaged; and some already have babies or are planning a family soon. So I hear about it all the time, which I don’t mind–it’s just the constancy of it. And it just irritates me to no end that some people try to make me feel weird because I’m single right now and focusing on my career.

And on top of simply being in my particular age group, it seems like the media is focusing so much on teen pregnancy and young motherhood lately with shows like “Secret Life of the American Teenager” and movies like “Juno” and press attention on Jamie Lynn and others. I love kids and defintely want them someday, (which is why I love this site) I just hate feeling pressured to have them now…Sorry, I really didn’t mean to go on a rant. It’s just a topic that’s been bugging me for a while; and reading Steph’s post made me want to respond.

- Anna on August 7th, 2008

Wow! She looks far better 7 weeks PP than I do and my daughter is 13 months old.

I’m sure she’s having her fair share of difficult times raising a child, but she seems very happy and humble. Good for her.

- Kristen on August 7th, 2008

That’s the thing you celebrate the child and the whole pregnancy and then other 16 year olds want that same celebration, unconditional love, attention from their family and friends, etc. What about the case in Massachusetts?

Yes, teenagers have sex. And while I would wish they would wait until they can deal with the consequences of their actions, they shouldn’t be getting pregnant. If they are getting pregnant that means they aren’t using protection or using it correctly (condoms really don’t break – and now their will be a thousand stories of how theirs did) which doesn’t only means babies it means HPV, syphllis, gohnoreea, HIV, AIDS, chylamdia (sorry for my spelling), herpes – how about being 18 with a 2 year old and organizing your HIV meds or valtrex so you don’t have break outs at work.

JL – god bless her for staying in Louisiana and not being like her sister – but she was hired by Nick to be an image young girls could look up to completely – and she didn’t act responsibly and we supposed to be happy she bought a baby blanket for $10. I am guessing she knows there will not be huge residual checks for her show coming in down the road and she is metering her money.

My mom is great with babies – she was a teen mom; she’s still great with babies (her grand kids) but she was horrible when my sister and I were teenagers. She didn’t know how to set boundaries, she didn’t know what the rules should be (because when she was our age she was a mom) – and what happened is that my sister and I became her mom. That’s not fair to either of us. And we both waited until our 30s to have kids.

- Betsy on August 7th, 2008

Anna I couldn’t agree more! Teen pregnancy once again is on the rise!! Whatever one chooses to do is their business and their life. But I hate that the media glorifies how great it can be. Putting JLS on the cover of OK magazine with the quote “being a mom is the best feeling in the world” and movies like Juno and shows like The secret life of an American Teen pretty much glamorize teen pregnancy as something that’s all fun and games! They don’t show the real side of what it’s like. Maybe people need to make more movies and shows that show actual teenagers raising children and how hard it is. Dive into the life of a REAL teen! I don’t think it’s right to put any teen on the cover of a mag with their baby famous or not. And we can debate on and on about whether teens influence other teens the bottom line is sometimes THEY DO!!! Because for one teens don’t really live for the future they live in the moment. They see a cute baby and think “oh I want one of these!” and low and behold a few short years (or months) later there it is! And of course not all teens think that way and thankfully I wasn’t one myself. I knew exactly how hard it was to raise a baby and like I stated before I loved kids and wanted one so badly at a young age but I just knew that I wasn’t old enough to do it even though I was very mature.

Babies are a lot of work, alot of money and not to mention a lot of time!! And it should be a well thought out process that shouldn’t have to get to that “ooops” moment. Always strive to be the best parent you can be and if you know at 15, 16, 17 etc that you can’t be that – then strive to make sure it doesn’t happen until your ready!!!

- JM on August 7th, 2008

JM,

Did you even see Juno? How can you think it glorifies teen pregnancy? Because she doesn’t get an abortion? Instead she makes the tough, but better decision to give the baby up for adoption because she is smart enough to realize that she can not raise it. The movies shows her embarrassed at school because she is pregnant. Later she is heartbroken when she gives up her baby even though she knows the decision is correct. None of those aspects sound like glamorizing teen pregnancy.

Personally, I think you are just spouting out some line you read somewhere about Juno glorifying teen pregnancy. I’ve been hearing it everywhere and it’s factually incorrect.

And CBB should either stop showing pictures of Jamie Lynn or not allow comments because each time it turns into a crazy nagfest.

- Lula on August 7th, 2008

I think the best age to have a child is in your 20′s. I had my daughter when I was 25. I have energy. I can relate to her a lot better than most 40 year old mothers as well. There are 40 year old parents at my daughters daycare and they are into their careers and are super strict with their daughters to the point that i can tell both girls have a complex and feel bad most of the time. I think most older parents are more strict… When your younger you remember your childhood easier, so you can relate to your children better.

Plus I’m so sick of women waiting to have children in their late 30′s or 40′s and then have infertility problems and go out and get drugs. Children aren’t commodities. They come when they come. You can’t have it all. It’s not as easy as having a career for 20 years and then wanting children because you, oops, were working on your career in your 20′s and 30′s. You’re either a mother or a career woman. I’m tired of seeing women try to do it both….. The women’s movement in the 60′s went too far… It’s messed up!!!

- Greta on August 7th, 2008

I’ve seen Juno and I agree with JM. Suddenly because someone doesn’t agree with the status quo, they are spouting off what other people said. Just because you add some quirky dialogue and a pseudo-indie soundtrack doesn’t mean the movie isn’t making light of teen pregnancy. I believe it is. Doesn’t mean it’s a bad movie. It’s actually quite good and funny. Will it influence other teens to get pregnant, we’ll have to see what are the movies far reaching implications.

My problem with movies like Juno and Gilmore Girls and Jamie Lynn is that all these girls are White. White teen girls always get more sympathy from the court of pubic opinion and media when they get knocked up. I’d like to see Juno done the same way but cast Sheereka Epps in the lead role and see if that movie would have garnered nearly as many accolades “for it’s cutting edge storytelling”. Yeah right.

I’d like to see the Black Gilmore Girls starring Sanaa Latham and say Raven-Symone. The first thing out of everybody’s mouth would be, no way is a Black family that wealthy or the portrayal of Black single mother and her daughter not on welfare is unrealistic and is glamourizing teen pregnancy.

So while I wish Jamie Lynn well, I pray no young Black girls are looking to her or Juno as an example or the norm as you will not be given the same help, sympathy, or praise as your White counterparts.

- sheba on August 7th, 2008

Betsy, I think your comments to Steph were very powerful. I’m 35 with a toddler, a husband a very stable financial picture. And I still sometimes get overwhelmed with the challenges of motherhood and question whether I’m doing the best job. I can’t imagine having a baby when I 17 (half the age I am now)! I do think teens need to know the realities of parenting before they consider having children.

When I was in college, I would babysit every Labor Day weekend for two kids (a toddler and his slightly older sister) and I’ve always said that was the best birth control ever. Being woken up at the crack of dawn and intruded upon everytime I went to the bathroom made me understand the importance of safe sex.

These days, one of my greatest private joys is being able to go to the bathroom by myself. Wonder how many teen wannabe mommies realize you have to give that up when you have children? Laughing here, not preaching!

- Amy on August 7th, 2008

re Lula:
“And CBB should either stop showing pictures of Jamie Lynn or not allow comments because each time it turns into a crazy nagfest.”

right… because censorship is the answer!
god forbid people want to discuss heated topics.

- fuzibuni on August 7th, 2008

While I will stay out of this debate for the time being except to agree with Anna and give props to Morgan, I will say that I have never seen Jamie Lynn look more beautiful than she does in that first photo. She seems to have really matured facially since her OK! cover and looks stunning. And I love Maddie’s blanket.

- Lauren on August 7th, 2008

I, for one, think that she’s going to do well by that baby.
She found herself in an unexpected situation and I have a feeling she’ll make good choices and be a responsible Mom.

- Christine on August 7th, 2008

well, all I have to say about teen pregnancy, and such, is whatever floats your boat. Why all the fuss? just insane. we all are either future mums, kid-lovers, and such. . . let’s peace out.

- Silvermouse on August 7th, 2008

Shannon,
I myself got prego at 16 got married, and had my baby at 17. I was one of the lucky ones. My hubby and I have been married over 10 years now and have 3 beautiful kids together. So many people told us WOW not many teen couples stay together this long. Well it does happen we are proof of that for sure. It all depends though.

Sheba,
I dont know why you brought race into this topic. It has nothing to do with teen pregnancy. There are many (white) people/teens that live in poverty and have children and are on welfare, food stamps, WIC etc. Not all pregnant teens are black and all welfare etc.! Race has nothing to do with this at all!!

- mommy2-3 on August 7th, 2008

To those who said that it’s easy for her to look that great because she’s so young…just because she’s 17 doesn’t mean that she’s instantly going to look perfect. I was 18 when I delivered and I looked nothing like that 7 weeks post partum. I had to work hard for about a year to get back to normal.

- MommyX2 on August 7th, 2008

OMG she looks amazing!! I had my first daughter when I was 18 and I did NOT bounce back like that and this time its even worse!! LOL She looks soooooo good!

- Sheila on August 7th, 2008

First of all, Jamie Lynn looks better than I do, and I haven’t even had kids yet!

And about the debate about young parents. Just because “teenagers are typically unprepared for parenthood” doesn’t mean that every teenager will be unprepared. Yes, it’s hard. Because parenthood is hard. Yes, it’s expensive. Because parenthood is expensive. Some teenagers (like Jamie Lynn, obviously) can handle it.

She’s is not glamorizing this. She is going to WalMart with a $10 baby blanket and living in the South instead of going shopping at Petit Tresor in Los Angeles with her Starbucks in one hand and her baby being taken care of by help.

Age is not the biggest factor here; responsibility and maturity are.

- Kayla on August 8th, 2008

I always loved kids , I dropped out of High school to study Childcare and became a Childcare worker at 18yrs and loved it and Then i met my now husband and had my first child at 20yrs
unlike some young mums i had cared for many young children everyday and knew how hard it is but also i knew how wonderful it is to watch them learn ,grow and the Joy that children can bring!

For all thoses Older Mums that put young mums down , Your all JEALOUS that us younger mums we be enjoying our later life without the kids around!!!!!!!!

- Ck on August 8th, 2008

SH; you sound just like me! I conceived my first child as soon as I’d graduated from University. Being a Mum was all I wanted to do, but I wanted the education to be there for when my kids are all at school.

I have been a SAHM ever since (he’s 7 this week) and we’ve had two more children. Much as I’d have liked to have had our first baby even younger (we were 22 and 20), I’m glad I waited and got my degree because I think it will be difficult enough to get into a career path after having ten years out of work WITH a degree, never mind without one!

We too live on my husband’s salary, and although it was very difficult at first, we have made some wise moves and good choices and are now able to give our family what we always wanted to

- Ruthella on August 8th, 2008

Yes, Sheba, I have to agree with what Mommy2-3 responded to you…I was going to say the same thing. This is NOT a race issue…

Ever heard of WIC and welfare? These teens, whether black or white ARE getting the SAME help. Jaime Lynn is shopping at Walmart. EVERY “color” shops there…

As far as the TV shows. The Cosby Show ran for a long time and I don’t remember people questioning the fact that Cliff was a Dr. – they were pretty well off…the show was very “real life”….and they were black…

There are rich black people everywhere and poor white people everywhere. It doesn’t matter what color you are. You just need the ambition to get off your butt and do something with your life and you’ll be successful no matter what color you are. A lot of Americans have proven that.

- SH on August 8th, 2008

I don’t see how Juno glorifies teen pregnancy. The whole story is based on how she doesn’t feel ready to be a mother.

- Nicole on August 8th, 2008

I’ll focus my comments on race if I feel like it as that is the point of view I’m coming from and that is what informs my every day decisions. This Black face. So If you don’t like my comments, keep it moving and don’t read them. And you are very wrong about the Cosby Show as that was the FIRST critique out of White people’s mouths that the show was unrealistic, so you really should brush up on race and television history.

Besides from first hand experience, I’ve seen the way young Black pregnant teen girls are treated quite harshly by government programs and the media while their White counterparts get a pass so don’t give me the pollyanna, We Are The World american dream nonsense that all poor people, Black or White are created equal.

I’ll say it even louder. YOUNG BLACK TEENS do not look to Jamie Lynn, Juno, The Gilmore Girls, etc. as your role models or your peers. They are not. The have a big obvious difference which you will never share.

- sheba on August 8th, 2008

Sheba, as an African American woman myself, I understand where you are coming from you.

- Jay on August 8th, 2008

just wanted to say, Jaime-Lynn looks fab, and I love her stroller. I had the same one in green for my now 4yr old daughter and it was the best! I love that she has been spotted using things everyday moms use, it’s nice to see some “celebs” really are normal!

- annie on August 8th, 2008

Sheba I am a black woman & I don’t share were you are coming from. NO teen girl should be looking to fake a movie & TV show or a teen actress as a role model no matter what race they are. If you’re a poor black teen parent get off your butt & improve your life. Take advantage of the system like other races & better yourself instead of sitting there crying & whining about your race.

I hope JL will not make the same mistakes as Britney, but As to the comments about JL staying in MS & not acting like her sister. Well Ms. Jamie Lynn better thank her lucky stars everyday for her sister’s ambition & that she became rich & famous. Without Britney noway JL would have gotten the chance at the jobs she had. Nor would she be able to make that 1 Million dollar OK deal. Her & Casey would be struggling like most poor teenage parents & living with Lynne or his mom.

- Alisa on August 8th, 2008

Sheba, I’ve seen several black friends of mine in college get free rides because they are black. My sister was a saluditorian of her class of 500 students and payed her way through school and is a Dr. now paying off her own education. Your view that white people get special treatment is false. If you work hard (especially when you are young) you can achieve anything no matter what color. I’ve even seen several Oprah shows with young black people that touch on this same idea.

- SH on August 8th, 2008

She looks great…and looks like a great mother too! Congratulations to Jamie Lynn…being a mother is the greatest gift!

Why is everyone (media/society) making an issue of her having a baby at 17? Get over it! How did our parents and grand-parents do it at 14…15 years old? Wow, and a lot of them had 7 or 8 kids and stayed home with them while their husbands worked or were in the wars. Times have changed…ya ya ya… that’s right, now we are selfish, lazy, and depend on others to help raise our kids. (I am also, unfortunately, speaking for myself)
It’s a decision she made for herself, not for anyone else to judge. Who cares what people do with their own lives as long as it doesnt effect themselves? This is exactly why their are so many problems in this world. The only reason it is an issue is because people make it an issue. She hasn’t done anything wrong.

I’m sure some people see her as a role model since she is a celebrity…BUT it’s not her sole responsibility to educate our children on morals and values. This is when us, as mothers/parents, take it upon ourselves to raise our own children how we want them to be raised and not rely on the influences of society. That way when our children screw up in life, the only person we have to blame is ourselves. Then again, we are always looking for someone else to blame for how we failed as parents.

~ 30 year-old mother of 2 beautiful daughters…ages 4 and 1

- Lisa on August 8th, 2008

Alisa, I totally agree with you!!

Sheba,
Just because your black doesnt mean that you get treated different in a bad way by anyone! All races can get treated bad even WHITE people. It doesnt matter what color you are its who you are.
I havent ever seen white people get free rides or college tuition etc. But have seen first hand that many black people I knew and know have.
So I dont see where you get that the black person gets treated bad???

- mommy2-3 on August 8th, 2008

i am due in six weeks. i am nineteen. i am not married. i am living with my boyfriend/baby’s daddy. we love each other a lot and did not get pregnant right away or anything…we’v been together for 2 years. anyways, what i was going to say is that even though we love each other, just being pregnant has kicked our relationship in the crotch. we have not been getting along very well because of the unpredictable mood swings, stress over money, emotional break downs over everything from not fitting my clothes any more to resentment over depending on a baby shower to provide us wiht what we need. we did buckle down and get what we needed for our daughter (who we are naming madison belle by the way). but the point i am trying to make is that it doesent just take a mom to be ready herself. it takes both parents to be in an established relationship and to be prepared for everything that not only a baby, but a pregnancy needs. (ex. dr.app once a week for three months straight has been killing us on gas money.)

- leanne on August 9th, 2008

I like that so many people live in Fairytale Land in Far, Far, Away USA. I however live in NYC working with teen fathers of all races, so what I’m talking about is not a fantasy. I know plenty of White people who got scholarships, heck I went to undergrad with a bunch. Full free rides. So what? We can go tit for tat. When I worked as a rape crisis counselor I actually had a detective tell me from the sex crimes unit, the police will believe a white young woman over any other woman of another race. And this was and Irish-American 20 plus years on the police force White man. And that is just one horrific example. So don’t tell me a young White pregnant teen girl that the media likes to make quirky movies about and a Black teen pregnant girl who is used in politics as the poster child for Welfare queens is going to be treated the same. At least be honest, unless all of you live in perfect USA were Barack is president, the police don’t pump 60 bullets into you for walking while Black, and young talented Black women are not seen as nappy headed hoes.

- sheba on August 10th, 2008

Hey could I pleas ehave your phone number please.

- Jaelyn on August 10th, 2008

Sheba, I think you need to get out of NYC. We’re not living in “Fairytale Land” – you’re comparing apples to oranges. You can’t compare intercity NYC to the rest of America. Of coarse you’re going to see the worst case scenarios. That’s not what’s going on across america with black people.

The troubled people that you’re working with are making CHOICES for THEIR life. No one is MAKING them get raped. No one is MAKING them take drugs. No one is MAKING them get pregnant. No one is MAKING them join gangs and shoot people. Everyone makes their OWN choices and what I’M saying is that if you want your life to change there’s opportunities for ANY person of ANY color, all you have to do is WORK, instead of whine about what color you are and what you don’t have.

- SH on August 10th, 2008

Actually, Sheba, I was thinking about my rape comment, and it was wrong. People are mostly victims to rape, they don’t ask for it. My point was that sometimes people choose to put themselves in certain bad situations. If they made other choices for themselves they wouldn’t be where they are and would definitely be able to turn their lives around with some work.

- SH on August 10th, 2008

I’m so tired of all this black/white crap. Life is not always easier for white people.A woman I know is having problems with her son’s catholic school. The mostly European populus wants her son out of the school because they think he is a bad influence on their kids because they are “white trash”. I know this because I worked with a lot of these people.

And I say this as a mixed asian whose chinese family was brought to the islands as slaves.And if you say that I got ahead because everyone thinks asians are smart, totally the opposite.I don’t even look asian anymore, I only did as a child, and that got me called half breed and spit on by full chinese people (especially the old world chinese).

- Aya on August 10th, 2008

JM: I do agree that the media sometimes glorified teen pregnancy. However, I don’t agree that the show The Secret Life of the American Teen glamorizes is. I think that show has done a good job of showing the negative effects of it. I haven’t seen anything on that show that even hints at teen pregnancy being a good thing. I think some people are confused about the expression “glamorizes.” Simple showing teen pregnancy and acknowledging that it exists is not glamorizing. Here’s the definition of glamorize: To treat or portray in a romantic manner; idealize or glorify. I don’t see anything about the show TSLOAT that fits that definition.

- Annabella on August 10th, 2008

sheba, i agree with you 100%. ‘walking while black’, ‘driving while black’, etc. are phrases that characterize the deep institutionalization of racism in America (and other countries too, of course). those who do not think racism has a place in the discussion of teen pregnancy are deluding themselves. a black juno would hardly be seen as ground-breaking and on a rather ironic note, might be seen as stereotypical and offensive. ‘indie’ (just like queer, feminist, hippie, etc.) is synonymous with white and connected to a bubble-gum consumerism whether you want to believe it or not. on the one hand, we have race and circumstance intersecting in such a way that it produces angry talk of welfare queens and free-rides–on the other we have lack thereof and circumstance intersecting to create quirky art and praises. would a black girl be applauded for ‘doing the right thing’? would Juno have sparked a political debate if the cast were black, or would the movie have even generated enough heat for all of you to have heard about it or seen it? i can’t answer that, but what i can say is this–i’m not proud of a country, nor a people who run charity organizations from the outside looking in, who dare to disregard history in the face of every problem facing todays minorities, who fail to see the parallels between human rights battles 50 years ago and human rights battles now, and who are too damned scared to look inside themselves and realize all that white schooling didn’t do much to overcome the machine in which we’ve been raised.

- kori on August 10th, 2008

jamie looks cute but wat is going on with peopl saying she is going to give up her baby once she has the baby……

- vannessa on August 11th, 2008

omg!!!
im only 16 years old and i was pregnant with my son when i was 15 and i had him a day after i turned 16 and it took me 3 months to get my baby weight off!!

- emily on August 19th, 2008

I’m brazilian, photo is perfect and fantastic
super beautiful !
I love Jamie and Maddie !
I love Britney
I love family Spears

- Julia on August 27th, 2008

hi i am jamie lynn spears and the people who think im stupid bog off and thanks to all the people who support me

luv ya all jamie

- jamie lynn spears on September 15th, 2008

Hi I never saw that my message made all that controverse, I just said that I would like to have a child, but I am NOT going to have a baby now, I am going to finish my studies to be an Interpreter and settle down and have a stable life and then have a baby.
I was just saying that like a thought, but I’m not going to.

I am going to be an Au Pair during next summer, so that will fill my need of children.

- Stéph on October 15th, 2008

I LOVE HER STroller and car seat so cute i love jamie lynn and maddie so cute

- EVELYN on October 22nd, 2008

I agree everyone should wait til at least 25-30 to have a baby, as Im 16, pregnant and am learning the consiquences. Its definately not going to be fun, but I’m going to try.

- Amy on March 23rd, 2009