good mama
I'm a bit confused, is she emancipated?
She can go before a judge in her county and he can sign right's for her to marry (I think, depends on state law) Given he mother's history I would think she has a good case. Unless the child is being abused/neglected or is living in a sub-adequate condition, I doubt that she could lose custody. Generally the court will want to keep a child with it's parent unless there is a problem with the parenting. Before she goes to try to gain emancipation she might want to call in a social worker or someone from child protective services to evaluate her home and repoty to the judge tht the child is in a clean, healthy and stable home. Also, if the father is listed on the birth certificate, then he would be the first person to gain custody if the mother was deemed incompetant, so the baby would remain in his home. Try to talk with a local social worker and a family law specialist in your area. Most lawyers have to do "community service" (basically what it is) and so you can frequently get free legal adviice. Hope this helps and KUDOS to you for finishing HS and going on to college!!! That's amazing, you should be very proud of yourself, it's hard to go to nursing schoold and have a child...I know because I did it...You will too!!
As for age relating to parenting, I don't know that it makes that big of a diffrence, if she is struggling, she may have postpartum depression, a serious medical condition, you may want to encourage her to get some counceling!!!It's hard on everyone to have a new baby, but espically for a teen, you essentially hand your childhood to your baby...
I became a mother for the first time at the ago of 21 though, and I am now 32 and expecting my 2nd baby (11 years apart) I did great when I was yound because I was less selfish, this time is much harder (I stopped drinking and smoking but I still long for those things!!!)
Every age has it's advantages and disadvantages
Young mother's face one set of challenges and older mother's another but I disagree that she is "too young to be a mother."
She IS a mother, it's happened, so better to enjoy and make the best of what you can't change!!
You and your friend should trust yourselves, be good to your babies, do what feels right, other's will always have their "advice" but espically to young mom's.
the TRUTH is that YOu are this baby's mother and that is a unique and extremly beautiful relationship..
in your heart you have all the essentials to parent well, just follow your intuition, listen to your inner-voice
AND
Use birth control!!!!!!!!
Pregnant is the nicest thing you can get from un-protected sex...
better if you can to plan babies when you feel right about it...
Hope this helps!!!
Sassafras