A letter to … The teenage mother I wish I’d defended in hospital

The letter you always wanted to write

I don’t know exactly what is wrong with your son. He is older than our daughter, but not by much. He is just walking, not yet talking – somewhere around a year, I’d guess. You are much younger than I am, a teenage mum, perhaps 15 years old. I must be twice your age. I couldn’t have considered being a mum at your age. But you are a mum, like me. And you care about your son, who is unwell and in hospital. I see you you playing with him, cuddling him.

We’ve had a few talks since we’ve been on the ward. I teach girls your age. I enjoy talking to young people. I enjoy talking to other mums.

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