P.A.S.T. Parenting as a Single Teenager: S.A.I.N.T. Standing at in Near Through

By Ashley D. Captain and Stephanie M. Captain

P.A.S.T, a mother daughter perspective, was written for anyone who has ever had to take an unplanned journey. For the teenager who feels alone, the struggling parent, and the worrying mother; it is a reminder of Gods grace, His love, and His provision for those who would dare embrace His plan for their lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781467870658

Ashley D. Captain

Ashley has traveled throughout the United States being reared in a military home. She is a college graduate, author, entrepreneur, and a mother. Ashley currently resides in Georgia while continuing her Education in Nursing.

Book preview

Contents

Acknowledgements

Forward

Chapter 1:

Chapter 2:

Chapter 3:

Chapter 4:

Chapter 5:

Chapter 6:

Chapter 7:

Chapter 8:

Chapter 9:

Chapter 10:

Acknowledgements

God-Thank you for all that you have done for me! You will always be the head of my life and I will not take what you do for me for granted.

Mommy and Daddy- Thank you for helping me raise Simien, pushing me, and encouraging me not to give up on my dreams. I love you!

Pastor P- Thank you for being my biggest cheerleader next to my parents. I love you and I am so glad that you came into my life when you did.

Mrs. Liz- Thank you for writing the forward for my book; see you at the top!

Auntie Nease- Your encouraging words always come right on time.

Aunt Tina- Thank you for purchasing Simien’s formula during his first year of life! We appreciate it and we are forever grateful.

I would also like to thank all of my family and friends who have been influential in my life.

Lastly, I would like to thank my baby boy, my drive, and my heart, Simien. Sometimes we do not fully comprehend why things happen at the time that they happen but as life progresses it becomes clear. I am so glad that God trusted me enough to give you to me. I could not imagine my life with you when I initially found out that I was pregnant but now I cannot imagine my life without you. When I feel like giving up, I look at you and I am motivated and push even harder for us. I love you more than you know!

Forward

A must read book for all teenage mothers and mothers of pregnant teenagers.

Explore the test, trials, and triumph of teenage mother, Ashley. Ashley is growing into an awesome woman as she raises her son Simien with grace and dignity. One may think her life is over, screwed up and messed up forever with no hope and no change. While being an unwed mother is not the ideal way to start a family, you can still reach and attain your goals. Hopefully you have a good support system, but if not, with a strong will and determination in your heart you can achieve your goals.

Yes, I know you’re scared, but you can do this. Remember not only are you responsible for this beautiful gift God has given you, but for yourself to fulfill your purpose and destiny also. There’s a mothering button inside of you and when you become a mother it automatically kicks in. One day at a time and one step at a time you can do this. I can speak out of experience; I too was a teenage mom. I know the struggles and challenges that come with becoming a mother before you’re ready. There are no magic tricks or secret formulas, just perseverance, staying focus and being responsible. Whether the daddy decides to be in the child’s life or not, you must remain focused and realize it’s not all about you, but also about the child. Buckle up it’s not going to be easy, but you can do this. So many others have done it before you and countless others will come behind you, so set a good example.

Ashley is becoming a great act to follow. In this book, Ashley will give you tools, tidbits and wisdom that will help you in your journey. Stop crying, stop beating yourself up, put guilt in a box and bury it. Stop feeling sorry for yourself and throw away the keys to Pityville. Your child is not a mistake, but a product of purpose.

Just as Ashley has picked up the pieces and progressed in life; while full-time in college pursuing her education, active in her church, performing community service, and establishing herself as an entrepreneur, mentor, author and mother, confirms that if Ashley can do it you can too.

As she tells her story, allow it to inspire, propel, and motivate you to do the same.

My Deepest Love and Much Success,

Minister Elizabeth Grissett Daniels

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Chapter 1:

College Bound

Senior year was finally here and I knew that I had to begin thinking about which college I wanted to attend after high school. I knew that I wanted to get far away from the city that I lived in but I did not want to be too far from home. I began to apply for colleges in the Atlanta, Georgia area. It was a big city and it was close to home. Senior year was flying by and I knew that I had to make a decision about college soon. I was accepted to the University of West Georgia which was three hours from home. I went on a tour of the college and fell in love with it. I knew it was the school for me. My parents were not thrilled about me going away for college but I had already made up in my mind that I was going to follow through with it. In May of 2008, I graduated and I was excited about the events that were going to happen in the near future. The countdown to leaving for college was on. During the summer, my parents confronted me about my decision to go away for college. They told me that they preferred if I went to a local college for the first year. The idea did not thrill me, in fact it made me upset. I had already gone through the entire process of applying to college, getting accepted, choosing a dormitory to live in, and choosing classes to take the first semester. If they wanted me to stay home the first year, then they should have told me to only apply to local colleges. I soon found myself stressed. I wanted to follow my own dreams but I did not want to disobey my parents’ request. They never asked me for much. One month before I was supposed to leave for college I agreed to stay home for my first year. I was still upset but obeying my parents was far more important than what I wanted to do.

I had to start the college application process all over again just a couple of weeks before classes started at the local university. I became content with the decision because I could not live in the I should have been moment. I found