So this past weekend I found out that my multi-tattoed, multi-pierced cousin who we suspected might be doing drugs and who was living with my parents is pregnant. Yup. She's pregnant. And she's keeping it. And she's moving back in with her trucker, drug-using boyfriend. Yeah...this is a great situation.
I was proud of my parents they were really great with her. They supported her and supported her decision. They said it wouldn't be easy but they have given good advice when warranted and have tried to help them get some stuff for their new place. They've been there for her which is more than I can say for my aunt and uncle. My Mountain Uncle supposedly hates this guy (trucking drug user? what's not to love?) and doesn't like to talk to my cousin about him or her pregnancy. My grandparents now know too and although I don't think they're super happy about the whole prospect they aren't mean about it - in fact possibly more supportive than my Mountain Uncle and Swiss Aunt.
I don't know completely how I feel. I love my cousin and I wish her the best. But part of me can't believe how stupid she was to sleep with such a loser and I have no idea how she's going to support this baby and she has barely a GED and all her dreams seem to now be on the back-burner if they're on the stove at all. And another part of me, the part that's close to my grandparents is sad that their first great-grandchild is going to be an unplanned child of an abusive drug-user. I love them and just wish they didn't have this as their first experience. Part of me wishes I was pregnant (NOT REALLY!) so that they could have a great-grandbaby they could brag about to their friends at church. Even if my other cousin and her co-habitating boyfriend were having a baby it would be better. I'm sad the first one they have is one they have to worry about. Is this kid going to have FAS? Lung problems due to chronic cigarette smoke? Drug problems? I'm trying to be supportive but sometimes it's not that easy.