Hi, i'm Elicia and i've been dating this guy for about a year. I am six months pregnant and haven't made a desicion. my mom had me really young (eighteen) and it was an open adoption.

I don't really want to give the baby up, but my parents want me to marry my boyfriend.

What should I do?

I think you should follow your heart. Even though you are young you can still make it. Everything happens for a reason.I grew up around girls having babies at 14 and 15 so I know how hard it is for you.Just follow your heart

I was actually just browsing this website looking for a name for my niece that was just born a few hours ago...

I saw this post and thought I'd add my two cents.

Marriage can be a wonderful thing if both people are ready for it and willing for such a commitment...and the fact that you are only 16 doesn't necessarily mean that you aren't ready...

Heck, when they got married my grandma was 15 and my grandpa was 19. Granted, that was a long time ago - but still, they are coming up on their 60th anniversary.

However, the marriage ceremony won't automatically transform you (or your boyfriend) into people that are ready for such a commitment. It works the other way around - you fall so deeply in love with the other person that you KNOW that you are ready.

Marriage itself is just a formalization of your commitment that should, at least in a sense, already be there.

If you really want to have that baby - do it...but don't get married simply because you are going to keep the baby.

If you do, and you and your boyfriend aren't ready for it, I think you'll find that it will only magnify any shortcomings or problems that you might have in your relationship. It won't solve them.

I hope this helps.

Take care,
Mark