An article from the Woman’s Day magazine (August 31, 1998) that published a diary of a
12-year-old mother. Following are some quotes from here diary:

‘ I was tired today and stayed in bed until lunchtime because I was up twice during the
night feeding Georgia. I finally got up around 1 pm to watch Neighbours and Home and Away,
but Georgia cried through most of it so I couldn’t hear the TV properly…

The social worker came to check on me today, worried that I haven’t been to school for
six months…

I kept it (the pregnancy) a secret until three weeks before the baby was born by
wearing a bulky coat. When my mum found out she was shocked and cried. I started crying
too, because I didn’t want to upset her, but it was a relief when it was out in the
open…

The health visitor popped in today. She suggested I give up smoking because it’s bad
for the baby and bad for me. I get through a packet of cigarettes a day, which mum has to
buy because the shop downstairs won’t sell them to me…

I’m getting used to people staring at me and I shrug it off. It’s funny being famous
all of a sudden. But I don’t really get what all the fuss is about…

Some people say I look awkward with my baby and don’t seem affectionate with her but I
come from a no-nonsense family…

In hospital I was really frightened about going into labour. Mum and Grandma visited a
few times but didn’t kiss or cuddle me or tell me everything was going to be okay. They
talked normally…

I wouldn’t consider breast-feeding. I hated it when my chest started producing milk.
I’m just glad I’m back to normal now."

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