A YOUNG woman has revealed that her mother fell pregnant with her when she was just 12-years-old.
Now, Danyela Marshall, 26, has candidly opened up on what it was really like to be raised by teenagers.
Danyela was born when her parents were just 13-years-old and now her mum and dad are both 39, Danyela has shared all on her relationship with her young parents.
The content creator, who has almost 10,000 followers on TikTok, also debunked the myth that she and her mum must be ‘best friends’ because of their closeness in age.
Reflecting on her relationship with her mum, Danyela said that while everyone assumes they are “best friends”, it’s actually the “parallel opposite.”
She revealed: “I didn’t have that friendly dynamic that everyone would assume with my mum.”
Danyela claimed that while they share “a good relationship” and are “close”, there is a “barrier” when it comes to talking openly because her mother was such a strict parent growing up.
She confessed: “I think naturally, just because of the age she had me at, she didn’t want me to go down that path.”
As a result of her strict upbringing, Danyela “was not promiscuous at all” and instead, she joked she “was probably still playing Sonic [the Hedgehog]” at 13.
Danyela described her mum as a “proper solid rock in my life”, adding that she is a “serious” person who encouraged her to focus on “goals”, whereas her father is more like a “mate”.
Danyela’s mum and dad became parents at 13, while they were both in Year Seven – the first year of secondary school.
She shared: “Experimental 12-year-olds that they were, I came about.”
Soon after Danyela was born, her mum took her away to live in Birmingham, where her own mother – Danyela’s grandmother – lived.
She acknowledged that her family never let her see her dad as her family were “very angry” with her father when her mother became pregnant at the age of 12.
UK Teen Mum Statistics
Teen pregnancies in the UK have been decreasing considerably since 2007...
The under-18 conception rate has decreased considerably since 2007, reports Nuffield Trust.
Between 2007 and 2021, the under-18 conception rate in England and Wales decreased by 68%, from 42 per 1,000 women to 13 per 1,000 women.
This resulted in 13,131 under-18 conceptions in England and Wales in 2021.
But despite this, Danyela doesn’t agree that the blame should automatically be passed on to the male.
Danyela then claimed that from the moment her father was allowed to come and see her again, he has consistently remained in her life.
Reflecting on being raised by teens, Danyela shared: “They’ve both done the best job they can. Everyone does always say how much of a credit I am to them – and they’re a credit to me.”
I think naturally, just because of the age she had me at, she didn’t want me to go down that path
Danyela Marshall
Danyela’s mother had to drop out of school to raise her, but later went back to continue her education.
As a result, Danyela is “so, so, so proud of the woman that my mum is today.”
Danyela explained: “She obviously had to drop out of school. She found it tough to get back into school, but she still went back. [She] did her GCSEs, did her A-Levels… smashed it.”
Rather than feeling embarrassed, Danyela, who described herself as “quite a spoilt child”, is in awe of her mum for raising a baby when she was just a child herself.
Social media users react
Danyela’s story, which she posted on her TikTok account under the username @danyelamarshall, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 356,100 views in less than a week.
It’s crazy to see it from your perspective. I’m curious to see how my daughter sees me
TikTok user
It’s also amassed 34,400 likes and 545 comments, and many eagerly flocked to share their thoughts.
One person wrote: “Your mum most probably felt like she had a lot to prove becoming a mum so young. Well done to her.”
Here's why I love being a young mum
Tracy Kiss, who fell pregnant at 19, has revealed what she believes are the pros of being a young mother.
The personal trainer and blogger, from Buckinghamshire, believes women who give birth in their teens make BETTER mothers than those in their 30s.
She claims young mums snap back into shape quicker, have more energy and relate more easily to their children, meaning they’re better behaved and happier.
Tracy told Fabulous: “Women who become first-time mums in their teens make better parents than those in their 30s or 40s.
“I believe if I’d been 10 or so years older before becoming a mother then I wouldn’t have the relationship I have with my children now.
“For a start, being older I would have had less energy and therefore less patience.
“I wouldn’t be as enthusiastic to speak to people after months of sleepless nights as I was in my teens.
“My body snapped back to its pre-pregnancy size through fitness post-birth, which in turn gave me the confidence to date and find love again. I’ve never been happier than I am now at the age of 30 with two children.
“If I’d have been alone at 40 with a newborn baby I’d be more tired, less happy with my body, less energetic and far more stressed from the shock of living my life for myself instead of putting others first. Sometimes age and the innocence of ignorance is a good thing.
“As a teen mum I just got on with it, found my feet and became responsible and capable because at the time I didn’t know any different.”
A second shared: “I was at school with your mum and watching her navigate motherhood and being a teenager was so admirable. I’m so glad to see you doing so well! You’ve grown into a beautiful woman, Danyela.”
Someone else said: “Must’ve been stressful for them and their families as kids but now it’s definitely a blessing having parents so young.”
Meanwhile, one mother explained her story and penned: “I had my daughter at 14. I’m now 28. It’s crazy to see it from your perspective. I’m curious to see how my daughter sees me.”
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