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Monday, May 21, 2012
Labour / Pregnancy
I Gave Birth At 18!
By Zubaidah Harun Rashid | September 22, 2009

While other 18-year-olds were preparing for their A-levels or battling with PS2s, young bubbly Zubaidah was preparing for motherhood. Here's her story.

Zubaidah Harun RashidAt the tender age of 17, I met the man of my dreams. After receiving blessings from my parents, we decided to tie the knot.

After our whirlwind courtship and marriage, I presumed my life would settle down. How wrong was I. A mere three months after my wedding, I found out that I was pregnant. While I was extremely happy and thrilled, a part of me also felt scared. The thing I feared most, was losing my freedom, after all I had been regaled with such tales by some friends.

As expected, my life changed DRAMATICALLY after giving birth to Shaheer, my precious jewel. While my life was suddenly filled with colour and untold happiness, I did lose my much coveted freedom. In addition to that, I became a stay-at-home mum as my maternal instincts were working over time! I could not bare to be away from Shaheer. The idea of leaving him behind made me feel miserable and insecure. Is this what they call a mother’s sacrifice?

However, truth be told: having a child is no joke. I don’t even have the words to describe it. I guess the closest terms are difficult, never-ending and occasionally frustrating! You have to be constantly on your toes. You have to be ready to step in and face any emergencies. The amount of sleepless nights, diaper changes and constant wailing is enough to drive anyone crazy! I wonder how some people handle having five or more children.

Many a times, friends would ask if I regretted my decision of having a kid this young. But nah, I’ve never regretted it. No doubt my friends refuse to believe me!

Shaheer’s presence into my life has taught me that life is about giving and sharing the love you have with others. I’ve learnt to be mature and responsible of the journey that lies ahead of me and the future of Shaheer that I am entrusted to mould.

A friend of mine recently asked me if I would ever encourage anyone my age to be a mum. My answer? No, never. As it takes so much out of you. You can say goodbye to going out as you please or enjoying life the way you like. You are suddenly in a world of restrictions. To sum it up, it’s a great change! – Zubaidah

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82 Responses to “I Gave Birth At 18!”
  1. shaik says:

    She very brave to take the the whole journey

  2. Priya says:

    You got very handsome and cute son

  3. Nora says:

    MOTHER is a child’s sanctuary & guardian angel – to give selflessly, to love unconditionally, to care, to guide without returns. Isn’t that a GREAT Sacrifice? To care for another being more than yourself? REFLECTION TIME….

  4. mohd says:

    Salute zubaidah on ur scarifices

  5. Khizer says:

    Wow Zubaidah you look preety in that picture. So cute your son pushing the pram with a bag by his side. Looks like he waiting having a bro or sis in future to comes. Keep up Shaheer keep on practising who knows your effort of leaning will come true.

  6. Geraldine says:

    Married at the age of 17 is common among all the indian. Reason mother and children can get along very well in future as a friend.

  7. Sapna says:

    I disagree with you, Geraldine. I don’t think getting married at 17 is usual among Indians. None of my Indian friends were married as a teenager. All my friends got married between 22-28.

  8. Kim Ong says:

    I have never met anyone in my life who got married at 17! That’s so young!!!! I tot you can only ROM after 18. Guess I wuz wrong.

  9. Geraldine says:

    Sapna disagree with me. Yes I know that in Singapore rare to see young lady married at the age of 17. But if you look into India 80% young lady married once they reach 13 years old. So for me to hear 17 year old lady getting married are common.

  10. Geraldine says:

    Kim Ong yes you are wrong. Even if you are below 18 you still allow to go for ROM but required parent to agree and need for singature.

  11. Farid says:

    For me it did matters what age you are but are you mentally ready to be a mum?? Is there a condition attach as if you need to meet the age required to me a mother?
    No rite?

  12. shaik says:

    O my god you people are arguing about young married…firstly is a business to married young maybe her husband rich and she have a healty son and they are happy why you people here bother to argu over such thing.Remember and believe in the word faith!God written a life book for every single human in the world..

  13. Sanjay says:

    Look like i know this lady

  14. Anita says:

    I open this pages becos i have been force to write comment about you. My comment now you look better zubaidah rather than last time you so thin till can see your bone. Even you son shaheer now becoming more and more handsome.

  15. Nora says:

    Zubaidah took the bull by its horns and has come up a winner. Well done, Zu and praise MOTHERHOOD for her transformation.

  16. shaik says:

    I’m wondering now how old is her husband?

  17. Felicia Chua says:

    Very interesting story. So cute the boy with the pram

  18. Hazel says:

    Getting married at the age of 17 and becoming a mother. WOW !!! 17 years old you should be in Poly or JC. How do you manages to find time for studying?

  19. Nora says:

    I think she has different set of priorities and we should respect that! Not everyone is interested in the paperchase. And life does not end at childbirth. She is still free to pursue her dreams…

  20. Geraldine says:

    Hey Shaik! who is argue we just say our point of view

  21. Divya says:

    Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh the boy so cute

  22. Hazel says:

    Nora! is this motherhood website. I don’t think so this is theasiaparent. What are you talking?

  23. Geraldine says:

    Hey you lady (Zubaidah) why you never answer as I can see Hazel asking question with you. I also like to hear reply from you.

  24. Geraldine says:

    Can we get the writter please help us get Zubaidah to reply for all the question been asking in this comment. I also want to know what she doing now either schooling/working/housewife?

  25. Anita says:

    Hey somebody so kepo want to know this lady husband age.

  26. peter says:

    Congrats Zubaidah ,,, lucky ur hubby to have u

  27. Nora says:

    Dear Hazel, a mother is a parent!! Its not the end of the world, I’m sure she would be a model mother taking courses to motivate her child/ren in the near future. Loosen up gal! Cheers!

  28. Anita says:

    Why this Zubaidah never answer anything?

  29. theasianparent says:

    Hi Everyone ,

    Thank you for all your great comments. Much appreciated!

    We will be featuring Zubaidah’s husband very soon. To know more about Zubaidah’s love journey,check our website .. his article will be out soon!

    Cheers

  30. Geraldine says:

    Wow that wonderful…to hear from you theasianparent. When it will be out.

  31. Anita says:

    Wow! So must put her husband photo also

  32. Ananda says:

    This side getting famous!

  33. kate says:

    being a mum at 18 is soo cool…by the time your child is 21, you won’t even be 40 yet! a young funky mum…

  34. sila says:

    cute baby. I was married at 17 too..

  35. katib says:

    Hey, let join the forum and be friends ppl.HAHHA

  36. yating says:

    Why would you want to get married at 17? What’s the hurry? Isn’t it better to date till u are more sure?

  37. Anjali says:

    Reckon everyone’s life journey varies and if you conceived a child at such a young age, you had no choice but to seize the opportunity and give your child the best. I’m glad that you dealt with what you got and that to well. Society creates timelines; perhaps for a reason but the fact that you didn’t stick to it does not mean you are not a good Mother.

  38. Amita says:

    Being a mum at 18 takes a lot of sacrifice, patience, and responsibility. I admire Zuleha for being a strong and nurturing mother. Nonetheless, I think it is extremely important for young women to complete an education, become financially independent, and pursue their dreams/goals before assuming the responsibility of a parent. By no means am I saying that life is a dead end once you have a child. It just becomes much more difficult to assume the role of a student, employee, wife and mother all at the same time. Zuleha- inspiring a child and raising him/her with good values is the greatest gift or service that any parent can give. I admire the positive energy you exhibit in your story and wish you all the best.

  39. Suhaila says:

    Oh no the boy so cute pushing the pram.

  40. Yoke says:

    People been chatting in this comment. In this case must upgrade this website with chatting facility

  41. Samuel says:

    C’mon ppl the best well known woman like Mrs Clinton achieve her success. Look at her , she campaigning… she a mother too so she can still achieve what other married, single woman can….Look at some of Singaporean entreprenuers (woman ) tdy…

    C’mon.. life is not a dead end … once you have a child. The only thing is you will need to scarifice atleast 60% of your time during the first 3 years as this is the crucial years of term of instability of their health and thus affecting your jobs and things you have planned for..
    You’re doing great:) Zubaidah

    Wating to hear from her hubby … great website:)

  42. Aisyah says:

    hey guys! i know Zubaidah well. Her hubby and my fiance are best friends. So that makes me and Zubaidah great buddies. and yah, her son Shaheer is such an adorable and handsome baby. broken quite a few young baby girls hearts already. lol!

  43. MJ says:

    I look forward to reading the sequel to this article. In the mean time, great website! Keep it real!

  44. Zubaidah says:

    Thanks for all your comments.
    Being an Indian Muslim, the ceremony of marriage is an integral part of our culture and an essential part of our core value system. Flitting from one beau to another is considered promiscuous and unacceptable behaviour for a girl.

    I met my husband at a wedding reception. I was 16 and he was 28. We were surprised to note that we were distant relatives. My husband informed his family to ask my hand in marriage; my dad as head of family felt that it was a respectable match and agreed. We were engaged for a yr to get to know each other better. That was how our whirlwind romance started..

    My husband is from a middle class family and being an only son, my in laws wanted to see him married soon. I had just finished my certificate in Tourism and was serving as apprentice.

    I am working now. In time, I am planning on taking up a Diploma in the Tourism.

    Though we did not plan the pregnancy, I have been very lucky and blessed since both my in laws and parents dote on our son. My mom in law takes such great care of my son that I feel at peace coming to work now.

    We are living with my in laws and they have been a great pillar of support. I don’t think I could have coped so well if not for them and my parents. Thank you parents!

  45. LULU says:

    HI, ZUBAIDAH.THANKS TO ZULEHA CREATING SUCH WONDERFUL ARTICLE.

  46. Geraldine says:

    At last Zubaidah reply…Gal/Guy out there read her messages… Oh staying with in law???? Indian always staying with in law…Why don’t you get house for yourself and partner…

  47. Anita says:

    zubaidah reply…Oh now i know lol

  48. zubaidah says:

    Hmm Geraldine we moving in to our new house this year in september..It is a freedom living on my own :)


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