Everyday Heroes: my best friend Georgia

By Daisy Farrow, Croft Editor

TWSS x The Croft
As part of our Women Empowerment series, the Croft asked people to write about strong women in their lives who inspire them. Our croft Editor Daisy Farrow chose her friend Georgia, and gives her reasons why.

When I think of strong women in my life, there are many that come to mind. My mother, who is a nurse in A&E and has been a single parent for 15 years; my Nan, who, after my Bampy had a stroke, has effectively become a full-time carer at the ripe old age of 75. I am fortunate enough to know many women in my life who are perfect examples of strength, resilience, and independence. But when I truly think about who inspires me, it has to be my best friend Georgia.

When I tell people I know that one of my best friends is a mother, the usual response is: “what? How old is she? And she’s a MUM?” Indeed, for most, including myself, being a mother at the age of 20 would probably be a worst nightmare. I barely know how to look after myself, let alone a child! It by no means is an easy feat. Of course, I would be remiss to mention Lewis, her boyfriend of six years and father of the baby, who is equally as amazing for being a parent at such a young age. But this article is part of a series about strong women, so, I’m going to be mostly talking about Georgia.

When she first told me she was pregnant halfway through her second year, my response was, “How do you want me to react to this?” I wasn’t sure if this was ‘oh-my-god-we-can’t-believe-it’ good news, or ‘oh-my-god-what-do-I-do’ bad news. I had a response prepared for both reactions. So when she told me it was good news - despite being an unplanned situation - I was thrilled for them. Genuinely. I knew they were going to be amazing parents.

What I didn’t know was how difficult her pregnancy was going to be. Several trips to the hospital over the 9 months later, and a 48 hour (48 hour!) labour, baby Maya was born. But they weren’t out of the woods just yet. They remained in hospital for almost another two weeks awaiting test results and fighting numerous infections. Honestly, it seemed like one of the worst pregnancy/deliveries I had ever heard of. But I think that’s what makes Georgia all the more admirable, and strong.

I could hand-on-heart say that I do not have the strength to be a mother at the age of 20. I can say with even more certainty that I don't have the strength to be a mother at the age of 20, whilst completing university, and having a part-time job. How Georgia does it, I have no idea. I mean, I know how she does it. She’s sent me many a picture of her holding her baby in one hand and writing an assignment on her laptop with the other. But to be honest, it still blows my mind.

Don't get me wrong, like I said earlier, for most people having a baby so young would not be ideal. But that does not mean that I think we should look down so harshly on people who are young parents. There are such negative connotations that come with being young and having a child- that you’re irresponsible, that you’ve ruined your life, and (especially for women) that you’re someone sexually irresponsible. I don't think that is the case. There’s something truly admirable about taking on such an important role as a parent when you’re still young and figuring things out. I’m not saying that we should all go out into the world and try and have children while we’re still living at home, with no job, three weeks into a relationship. You obviously have to have secure circumstances in order to be able to bring up a child well.

But with Georgia, she is not only bringing up her daughter well, but more so.

We should not dismiss and disparage young mothers, saying things that they have ‘ruined their life’ and ‘have no idea’ what they’re putting themselves through. I think instead we should be singing their praises, appreciating that what they’re doing is by no means easy, and not something that everyone can do. My friends are going to provide their daughter with the best life possible. And I am so incredibly proud of them. And for that reason, when I think of writing about a strong woman I know in my life, I think of Georgia, and little baby Maya, who is fortunate enough to grow up with a wonderful role model as a Mum.