Mum age 16 takes her daughter, 2, to the school prom
Teen defies classmates by completing her GCSEs
A TEENAGE mum has defied those who said she would never finish classes by going to school prom, escorted by her toddler.
Kayleigh Snaith was told by classmates and strangers she had ruined her life when she got pregnant at 13.
But the teenager has completed seven GCSEs, as well as raising twoyear-old Harley.
So Kayleigh, now 16, got dressed up with her daughter and the toddler accompanied her on the journey to the end-of-exams party.
She said: “I wanted to show everyone who thought I would never make it through school, being a young mum, that I did it.
“Here I am celebrating finishing school with my daughter. I wanted everyone to see that Harley comes first.” Kayleigh had kept her preg- nancy secret for six months as she was terrified of how parents Sharon and Tommy, 53, would react.
Mum-of-five Sharon, 48, said: “When Kayleigh told me she was pregnant I was shocked but at the same time thought, ‘We will deal with this’.
Yet others called Kayleigh “disgusting”. She said: “I remember sitting and crying.
“I was worried I’d fail and I wouldn’t be able to get a job and do the best I could for Harley. It was a lot of pressure.”
She attended school part time, returning full time four weeks after the birth in May 2016.
Kayleigh said: “Harley inspired me to keep going and gave me the big push I needed.
“I’ve worked really hard and I’m looking forward to getting my results in August.” She will study music at college next.
And though Harley could not attend the prom, Kayleigh, who lives with her parents in Stanley, Co Durham, bought her a lace dress to join in the preparations.
She said: “I’m proud to be her mum. I’ll never regret having her or be ashamed.” Sharon added: “Teen pregnancy isn’t good, but Kayleigh is proof it isn’t the end of the world.”
I wanted to show everyone I did it, and that Harley comes first KAYLEIGH SNAITH ON TAKING HER GIRL TO PROM