Dialogue

Two years ago I had reached a level of emotional burnout working with teen moms and their babies. I moved to Seattle and took a different job. Now I'm back and I'm realizing some of the reasons why I left.

Questions/Remarks I hear on a regular basis:

teen mom: Don't you wanna have kids?
me: Yes of course.
teen mom: Well shouldn't you get started. You're getting old.
me: Thanks, thanks a lot. How old are you?
teen mom: 14

teen mom looking at my shoes: Oh....I remember when those were cool.

teen mom: Have you ever used drugs?
me: No
teen mom: Well have you ever tried drugs?
me: No
teen mom: Well....don't. They'll ruin your life.
me: thanks.

teen mom: Here hold this (breast milk)
me: No

teen mom crying: boo hoo hoo
me: are you ok?
teen mom: I think Angelo (baby daddy) is cheating on me.
me: Oh Yeah?
teen mom: Yeah, but I got him back.
me: How's that?
teen mom: I told him the baby wasn't really his.
me: You told Angelo that Angelo Jr. wasn't his baby?
teen mom: Yeah.
me: You think he believes it?
teen mom: Why wouldn't he?
me: I don't know.

teen mom: my baby won't stop crying
baby: (toot)
me: sounds like she has gas
teen mom: no I think we need to go to the emergency room.
baby: (toot) (toot)
me: I think it's gas.
teen mom: You don't have kids, you don't know.
me: Yep. You're probably right.