Have you ever caught yourself believing a stereotype about teen moms — only to realize you might be totally off base? I did, until I read about Leila Mottley’s new novel, The Girls Who Grew Big, which takes a raw, compassionate look at young motherhood beyond the usual headlines.
Mottley, a young novelist who’s also worked as a doula, follows three young women navigating pregnancy and motherhood in a small Florida town. This isn’t your typical coming-of-age story; it’s a powerful counter-narrative that highlights resilience, community, and the complex realities teen moms face every day. You can check out NPR’s insightful coverage here.
But why should this matter to us here at FertilityGeek? Because stories like Mottley’s remind us that fertility journeys—and parenthood—come in all shapes, ages, and circumstances. They challenge the myths that can add shame or stigma to people trying to grow their families any way they can.
Living in 2025, there’s a broader conversation happening about accessibility and empowerment in fertility care. Not everyone wants or can access a clinical setting for insemination or fertility treatments. That’s where solutions like those offered by MakeAMom come in — making the process more affordable, private, and user-friendly with their specialized at-home insemination kits designed for varied needs.
Back to the novel and why it rocked my perspective:
- These women’s stories aren’t about ‘teen mom fails’ or one-dimensional struggles. They’re about growth, strength, and the nuances of being young, pregnant, and determined.
- Mottley’s experience as a doula shines through, offering a real-life understanding of pregnancy outside the sanitized, often intimidating medical environment.
- It blows open the door to conversations about who gets to be a ‘good mom’ regardless of age, resources, or fertility journey.
What does this mean for those of us curious about or navigating home fertility options? It’s a reminder that fertility is deeply personal and often unconventional. Whether you’re a teen mom, someone dealing with low sperm motility, or facing sensitivity issues that make traditional insemination tricky, there’s no “one size fits all.”
Home insemination kits that cater to specific needs, like MakeAMom’s CryoBaby for frozen sperm or BabyMaker for sensitivities, reflect this understanding beautifully. They empower individuals and couples to take control of their fertility journey — privately, comfortably, and on their terms.
So next time you scroll through stories about teen pregnancy or fertility struggles, ask yourself: Are we hearing the full story?
Stories like The Girls Who Grew Big invite us to rethink the narratives we’ve accepted and open up space for empathy and empowerment for everyone trying to build a family.
What myths about fertility or parenthood have you found yourself questioning lately? Have you explored home fertility options that felt more right for your unique situation? Drop your thoughts below — let’s shift the conversation together.
And if you’re curious about practical, inclusive fertility help, definitely explore those tailored home insemination options — you might be surprised at how much control and comfort they can offer during what’s often an overwhelming journey.