Teen parents share inspiring message: never give up
A Florida couple hopes their story will inspire teen parents to stay strong and never give up.
Kayla Seitz had just celebrated her 15th birthday when she and her boyfriend, Bo, found out they were having a baby. Kayla said every emotion ran through her mind.
"At my first doctors appointment we heard her heart beat and my doctor said to me, 'You're happy about this?' which started my doubting about what I should do," she said.
Kayla and Bo decided to try and give their daughter the best life possible. The young couple promised each other that even though it would be tough, they would still graduate high school and college so they could provide for their little girl.
"My plans of living in a dorm, attending a university on a full scholarship were over," Kayla said. "Instead I chose the mom life, and I wouldn't have it any other way."
On March 28, 2011 they welcomed Sadie into the world.
"She's my pride and joy," Kayla told FOX 5.
Now, a few years later, Kayla and Bo are both 21-years-old, married and graduates of Daytona State College. They are also proud parents to a 5-year-old who just graduated from voluntary pre-kindergarten (VPK) and is off to kindergarten in August.
"I've learned to do my homework and exams after Sadie has gone to bed or on my lunch break at work that way when I get home she has all of my attention," Kayla told us.
Kayla, who works a full-time job, said that graduating high school and college as a teen parent is tough, but possible. That's why she and Bo are planning on getting their bachelors degrees next. They hope their story inspires other teen parents.
"There are so many statistics that say we will not complete high school, let alone college. Don't make excuses as to why you can't complete school, if you have the help don't turn it down because in the end you will the so grateful that you took it," Kayla said. "Every struggle you come across will be so worth it when you walk across that stage with your child in the crowd being your number one supporter!"
Photos courtesy of Kenzie Rae Photography