Bristol Palin has no regrets about becoming a teenage mom – but she hopes others will learn from her experience.
In a new interview with FOX News’ Greta Van Susteren, 18-year-old Bristol, who gave birth to son Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston in December, said being a mom has been nothing but amazing.
“I like being a mom. I love it,” Bristol said. “Just seeing him smile and stuff, it’s awesome. It is very challenging but it’s so rewarding. He brings so much joy. I don’t regret it at all. I just wish it would’ve happened in 10 years rather than right now.”
Bristol is now hoping to use her own experience as a teenage mother to help others as an advocate against teen pregnancy.
“Everyone should wait 10 years,” she continued. “I hope that people learn from my story… it’s so much easier if you’re married, have a house and career. It’s not a situation you want to strive for.”
And while she’s hoping to help prevent fellow teens from becoming parents, Bristol insists her mother – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin’s – stance on teen abstinence is “not realistic at all.”
She also addressed rumors that she clashed with her mother during her pregnancy because of her mother’s pro-life position.
“It was my choice to have the baby. It doesn’t matter what my mom’s views are on it,” Bristol noted. “It was my decision.”
When it came time to give birth, Bristol joked it was a walk in the park compared to having to break the news to her and boyfriend Levi Johnston’s parents.
“We were sitting on the couch – me, my best friend and Levi — and we had my parents come sit on the couch too. I couldn’t even say it. I was just sick to my stomach. Finally, my best friend just blurted it out,” she recounted. “I don’t even remember it, because it was something I don’t want to remember.”
Towards the end of the interview, Sarah Palin appeared holding her grandson Tripp, and she said she is pleased with how her daughter has handled the situation.
“I’m proud of her to want to take on an advocacy role and let other girls know this is not the most ideal situation, but certainly, you make the most of it,” Sarah Palin noted.
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