I remember when this show first came out. I would watch it all the time. Then when I became pregnant (in my early 20’s, not a teen) I would still watch it because I felt a sense of solidarity between me and those girls. When they’d discuss their hardships, their dreams etc. The way they’d chat with their friends. I thought the girls sounded smart enough for their age. I saw myself as one of them. Over the years I eventually stopped watching.

Just a bit ago while surfing through channels. Two kids, dog and cats, a mortgage and some cars and many many years later, I came across 16 and pregnant. I watched quietly and realized something. I identified myself more with the moms of these girls than the girls themselves now. I felt their stress and worry towards their daughters. I felt their frustration at seeing their girls struggling. Wondering how they’ll pull through. Wanting to strangle the useless boyfriend they had lol. I kept sneaking little glances at my own daughter quietly. I just had one of those moments where I knew I am in a completely different level in my life. A level I could just now acknowledge and see