Isn't it amazing how this entire story wouldn't exist if she had just said "no" to sex? Media isn't doing anyone a favor when they put forth sex as an overwhelming force that no one can be expected to resist, no matter their age and circumstances. Sheesh - just say no until you can afford birth control, can afford consequences, are old enough to take care of yourself and not expect your family to help take care of you and the baby(ies).

I wonder about the undercurrent of this story-this undereducated, unskilled class of Americans. Hopelessly stuck in poverty, and continuing to bring in the next generation in the same circumstances. Education is the ticket out yet no one sees it.

This is a perfect example of the phrase..."it takes a village to raise a child". Unfortunately there are many in this country who would rather choose to "judge" others than to offer help. Passing judgement on this young mother is the easy way out. Try living her life.

I want to know just what ulterior motives this so-called boyfriend has. Just what is attractive to any man out there about some teenage girl who already has 3 kids by 2 different fathers? What about that says to him "sign me up for some of that!" I would be very wary about this man's intentions with these 3 little girls. The last thing she needs in her life right now is another boyfriend to add to her troubles. We already know her taste in men is pretty unsavory. She needs to focus 2,000% of her time and energy on raising those girls in a direction that will finally put an end once and for all to this horrible cycle of poverty and bad choices. Her priorities right now do not need to be on where her next boyfriend/lover/baby-daddy is going to come from.

The system that we have now doesn't work. We need more groups and people like this willing to open their homes and hearts to those in need. Small communities help each other. More people live in large cities where nobody gets involved. "Walk a mile in my shoes" would help people to understand and to have empathy for those around them instead of criticism.

Why don’t we focus on the positive of all this…why judge? What things or situations are you not able to say “No” to? Hmmm??? In my opinion, there isn’t enough emphasis or accessibility to birth control in the first place, since the Catholic Church wants to put their two cents into stopping birth control from being accessible for young people. Yes, we can preach abstinence until the cows come home….but how can we expect everyone to follow that road in a perfect little line? If you could read between the lines of this story, you’d see it was much more than the consequences of not saying “No” to sex. It’s one thing to make a mistake; it’s another to take responsibility for it. It’s called moving forward.

The young girl in this story was trying to do just that. She was fortunate enough to meet someone who wanted to help her and her kids. The foster mother not only wanted to take care of her baby, she wanted to help this young mother be able to handle the stresses of having three kids which is hard no matter what age you are. Moreover, she didn’t have to do it.

This is what society needs---people who actually give a damn instead of people making judgments and trying to bring others down. Did you ever think that people who are able to afford birth control don’t use it? Did you ever think people who are able to take care of their children financially mistreat them? Abuse them? Let them run around in rags? Do not take them to the doctor? As for being old enough to raise your own kids and not have your family have to take care of them---what do you think about nannies? Parents who are “too busy” to take care of their kids and have a stranger take care of them? People who have their families help them take care of their kids are lucky….because that’s what having a family is about….helping each other out.

I know what you mean though; there are parents who just leave the kids with a relative and take off…that is inexcusable..however, not every young person who made the mistake of being promiscuous and not using birth control is irresponsible. I pray Hazel continues her goal of wanting to have a better life for her and her girls…and her boyfriend as well…may they get it together, work to keep it together and make it work for those kids. I also hope Hazel continues her friendship with Jessica, it is crucial for other mothers to look out for and help each other.

Emphasis on birth control wasn't an issue in this situation, as Hazel stated in Part I: "And yes, I do know how birth control works".  Knowing how it works is one thing.  Understanding the consequences of not using birth control is a very hard lesson she is now learning.  Hopefully Jessica's daughters take note and don't make the same choices Hazel made.

As for access to birth control, I have yet to walk into a 7-11 and not see it readily available.  It doesn't seem too hard to pick up a pack of condoms to go with that pack of cigarettes.  If you truly can't afford a pack of condoms, then seriously, don't have sex.

My unsolicited advice for Hazel:  if things don't work out with Ivan, avoid men altogether for a few years.  You don't need a boyfriend as much as you need to provide for your kids.  

You are right PresentTense….birth control really does not play a factor in all of this. But, unless things have changed…they were not making condoms or even the Pill accessible for young people in the schools or school clinics. My comment concerning the Catholic Church may be out of date. You are also right in stating that if you cannot afford condoms…then you should not have sex. However, in the rush of passion that clouds our judgment…who is thinking of a condom? I know it still sounds irresponsible, but it is something that happens more often than you think. In this day and age it is not just irresponsible but dangerous because pregnancy is not the only result of unprotected sex. Of course, that is where the realization of the implications of your actions comes into play. (I do not like to call getting pregnant and having kids a consequence. It should not be seen as a punishment but a blessing---no matter if you are ready or not, rich or poor, young or old) Hopefully, not just Jessica’s kids or Hazel’s kids learn from this, but all young people in general.

God bless Jessica and her family! They are truest of heroes.

Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.

Matthew 25:40

I applaud Hazel for making the tough decision to give up her baby while she tries to turn her life around. I believe she is trying, which is more than others will do. I know you are reading this, Hazel, and I am praying you make it! God bless you.

Hazel, I hope you do get an education and a real job and I hope you somehow find the will and focus to raise your girls the right way and not have them follow you lead. I would hate to hear in 15 years or so that you have had to turn away the 9 grandchildren your three girls collectively had out of wedlock and can't support. There just aren't too many people out there as willing to do so much for someone in your position as that saintly foster family you lucked into. Perhaps if you work your way out of this mess after a few years you will begin to understand the anger that has been unleashed on you by so many people here. When you have almost half the money you worked hard to earn taken from you and your family when you are just getting by as we do. And you have no choice when a large portion of it given to people who make stupid selfish choices and then stick their hands out and use it to buy cigs and support unemployed boyfriends and pay hospital costs to deliver another "oops" baby, you will understand.

You also need to get the notion out of your head that you need a man at all times. What those children need is a father, but you failed to provide that and your boyfriends of the moment aren't going to fill that need no matter what they say to get in your pants so unless they are paying all the bills they need to be gone. And I have to agree with the person who questions why any single man would want to be with you now and so should you for the sake of your girls because unfortunately there are lots of other young girls just like you were without all the kids and bills and baggage waiting in line for these guys to choose. If he is only with you because of sex, then he isn't with YOU, he's there for your body and what you can do with it and he's just another very large child that you can't afford in your life. You need to remember that is what got you in this mess in the first place and shove him out the door. You won't get a man worth being a father until you become someone worth having by getting your education and dragging yourself and your girls out of this mess. You can do it, but it won't and shouldn't be easy and it's completely on your head whether you do or don't work your way to a decent future.

First of all….if our schools are going to want to teach sexual education, then they should make condoms –at the very least---available to the students. I will agree if you are too embarrassed to buy condoms at the store then you shouldn’t have sex. But that goes for adults as well because they get embarrassed too. While we should not have compassion for the behavior, we should have compassion for this girl’s recognition of her behavior and the willingness to change the direction of her life. As for the father(s) of these children---Hazel, while you should not at this time be totally focused on having a man in your life for your own interests, you need to see where these men stand in terms of being fathers. Men should not be shoved out the door because they are too immature for a relationship. They should be held accountable for being responsible parents---you can still be co-parents----Mommy & Daddy---instead of husband and wife. If they choose not to be responsible parents then you need to just pick yourself up and be what you need to be to these girls---a mother, a father---someone they can look up to and depend on. Don’t search for a man to want to be a responsible father for the girls---that will not happen. Get yourself together---For yourself----and for these girls. You can do it---ask for help if you need it. However, do all you can to be independent and able to care for these girls yourself. I have all the faith in the world you can. As for what other people think---including me----the only opinion that matters is yours---don’t let any negative talk or thinking cloud your journey for a better life for you and your girls.

Very true Shelia. Most problems wouldn't exist if someone made a different choice. That doesn't mean you can't empathize. It doesn't mean that it's a bad thing to try to ease someone else's burden. And it doesn't mean that someone shouldn't try to make the best of the life they've created for themselves.

While I feel for Hazel and applaud her efforts, I see nothing but problems down the road. she has no education, limited job skills, poor parenting skills (a dresser falling on a child?), and horrible taste in men. And men seem to be the focus of her young life. What kind of guy would look at Hazel and think "Wow, what a catch...uneducated, no $$$ and 3 girls", unless he has some nasty ideas in mind?

The only hope is for Hazel to get an education. Maybe get an RN at a junior college. If she does not educate herself and there is a followup to this story, I predict that in 16 years, Hazel will have a few grandchildren by her uneducated, underemployed daughters. If they survive. To be honest, I do not see much hope here. Seen this story with the same ending all too often.

I found this story touching in many ways. Love people like Jessica who want to help and go out of their way to do so. Happy that Mom let someone else care for her baby til she could get things "going".

But it still comes back to: taxpayers paying for her kids and her . Those innocent kids living in an environment that is severely unstable, because their Mom made a decision not to use birth control. Nice.

The ironic part is she does this more than once. Is there a second chapter?

I think its up to Hazel….only she has the power to control her situation. For all the naysayers out there…it doesn’t matter how you think you see the situation ending because you’ve seen it happen many times before. Hazel recognizes what the problem is….she just needs a solution. She needs a plan. I would have loved to read more about this alternative foster care system. I think anyone who is a foster parent should be commended for the courage and generosity of heart they have. But how many foster parents would rather have a situation where the parent tries to get on their feet and take care of their own kids then to have to take care of a child who’s parents don’t care and will never be able to raise themselves? Hazel having Safe Families and Jessica is an absolute plus for Hazel and her girls. As for her boyfriend….what happens between him and Hazel is up to them but I hope Hazel puts herself and her girls first. Plus there are many opportunities out there for Hazel to get her GED if she doesn’t have her diploma and get into a continuing education program that provides job training. She just has to make the effort to have it work for her. It will not be easy—it never will be easy---no one said it would….but from reading these articles it seems that Hazel knows what needs to be done…she just has to trust herself and have a lot of faith, courage and strength. Also, no one should be worrying about who would find Hazel desirable—except for Hazel…..let the girl have some pride in what she has tried to achieve so far in her situation. When she picks herself off and lifts herself up to a level where she can take care of herself and her girls…the question will be---Who will be worthy enough for her and her girls? Only she and her girls will answer that one.

as someone who has been there I agree Hazel can go to community College and there are plenty of assistance programs for that...but I think since she will probably get maybe one or two good shots at it she should find her focus first...going to school and working part time is possible but w/ 3 young children in tow will be very demanding for even the most dedicated of young adults.  If she cared to she can start by just getting her general education courses out of the way while she thought about what it is that she wanted to major in.  I started community college as a young unmarried mother and wound up dropping out...I then did a 12 year stint in the Navy and went back afterwards and finished college...so it can be done

I'm still waiting for Ivan to marry her. If they want to be a family, that's what it takes.

I hope the story progresses with happy endings, unfortunately unless Hazel starts to realize that she needs to do something with her life, besides having children, I don't see that happening.

Too many kids having kids and depending on everyone else to take care of them. Yes, I understand people make mistakes.

IF she marries,that will mean a cut in social services. Not reporting a 'room-mates' ' income can result in fraud charges.

Two things I noticed in the photos: Cigarettes ($5/pack) and Campbell's "Supper Bakes" ($3.65)

Quit smoking and learn how to cook basic, healthy meals for less than a dollar and save $8.65 a day. That is the equivalent of one hour of work at $8/hour. Human services should be teaching cooking classes instead of just handing out money to people. I recently read a fabulous book about a grandmother struggling to feed her grandchildren who spent $5 a day on little things like coffee, fresh roasted peanuts, etc. but failed to realize that it added up to $150 a month.

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Myth-of-the-Welfare-Queen/David-Zucchino/e/9780684819143

Also, Hazel's girls are running around in December in nothing but their diapers. She and her BF are behind on bills - one of those bills is probably the heating bill. There are plenty of places to get free/cheap children's clothing, so put some layers and socks on them, turn down the thermostat, and save some money and the earth.

I truly hope Hazel gets her life together and kudos to Jessica for trying to make a difference.

I can't believe some of these comments, maybe you all should thaw your hearts out.

Education, education, education. I cannot stress that enough. Hazel needs to quit relying on some man to marry her, thinking that's her ticket out. Clearly, if the first two fathers didn't stick around, what makes her think some guy with no ties to these three children will. Hazel needs to do all she can to go to school and get some type of education. I became a single mom at 20 with no help from the father. I struggled for years working low wage jobs that offered no healthcare. I finally got sick and tired of having nothing and not being able to adequately provide for my child. So I applied for student loans and put myself through school with no family supporting me. It was extremely difficult but I managed because it was the only choice. I made the dean's list and graduated with honors. Now I have a successful career that supports both me and my child and we can afford small luxuries. It is possible to succeed and have a good life and be a single parent but you have to want it bad enough. And you have to quit relying on others to take care of you.

And for Pete's sake, single moms - quit having more babies! I learned after the first one!

Education, education, education. I cannot stress that enough. Hazel needs to quit relying on some man to marry her, thinking that's her ticket out. Clearly, if the first two fathers didn't stick around, what makes her think some guy with no ties to these three children will. Hazel needs to do all she can to go to school and get some type of education. I became a single mom at 20 with no help from the father. I struggled for years working low wage jobs that offered no healthcare. I finally got sick and tired of having nothing and not being able to adequately provide for my child. So I applied for student loans and put myself through school with no family supporting me. It was extremely difficult but I managed because it was the only choice. I made the dean's list and graduated with honors. Now I have a successful career that supports both me and my child and we can afford small luxuries. It is possible to succeed and have a good life and be a single parent but you have to want it bad enough. And you have to quit relying on others to take care of you.

And for Pete's sake, single moms - quit having more babies! I learned after the first one!

Education, education, education. I cannot stress that enough. Hazel needs to quit relying on some man to marry her, thinking that's her ticket out. Clearly, if the first two fathers didn't stick around, what makes her think some guy with no ties to these three children will. Hazel needs to do all she can to go to school and get some type of education. I became a single mom at 20 with no help from the father. I struggled for years working low wage jobs that offered no healthcare. I finally got sick and tired of having nothing and not being able to adequately provide for my child. So I applied for student loans and put myself through school with no family supporting me. It was extremely difficult but I managed because it was the only choice. I made the dean's list and graduated with honors. Now I have a successful career that supports both me and my child and we can afford small luxuries. It is possible to succeed and have a good life and be a single parent but you have to want it bad enough. And you have to quit relying on others to take care of you.

And for Pete's sake, single moms - quit having more babies! I learned after the first one!

Education, education, education. I cannot stress that enough. Hazel needs to quit relying on some man to marry her, thinking that's her ticket out. Clearly, if the first two fathers didn't stick around, what makes her think some guy with no ties to these three children will. Hazel needs to do all she can to go to school and get some type of education. I became a single mom at 20 with no help from the father. I struggled for years working low wage jobs that offered no healthcare. I finally got sick and tired of having nothing and not being able to adequately provide for my child. So I applied for student loans and put myself through school with no family supporting me. It was extremely difficult but I managed because it was the only choice. I made the dean's list and graduated with honors. Now I have a successful career that supports both me and my child and we can afford small luxuries. It is possible to succeed and have a good life and be a single parent but you have to want it bad enough. And you have to quit relying on others to take care of you.

And for Pete's sake, single moms - quit having more babies! I learned after the first one!