Charlotte Vainqueur

I'm peeling back the curtain to reveal a life of ostracism, emotional abuse, and very disappointing and confused relationships. I've never felt like a part of my family. And, have recently realized that I must separate myself from their cycle of abuse in order to save myself and my son.

When I was pregnant and effectively abandoned by my baby's father, I felt a great need to find someone, anyone, who could relate. I wanted to find a movie about pregnancy where the woman endured it alone. But, even the chick in "Knocked Up" was only alone for a little bit, and they ended up together in the end anyway. This was not going to be my story.

So, I searched for a book that might hold some familiarity, but found not one about getting through pregnancy as a single mom--not one that I could relate to. And, all those typical pregnancy books, like "What to Expect When You're Expecting," were unbelievably irritating to read. They all referenced the father (or, if more progressive, the "partner"). They all had pictures on the cover or in their pages of smiling couples. That would not be me.

And, I only found one episode--ONE--of TLC's A Baby Story that had a single mother in it. I recorded it and watched it over and over and over again, because it was the first time I thought, "There's someone with my story."

I was the only single girl in my birthing class. I had to go to doctor's appointments without the baby's father by my side and watch other couples hold hands in the waiting room. It was depressing. But, the most depressing element of it was just the isolation--the feeling that I had no one to talk to. I knew no one who knew my experience. So, I want to chronicle my pregnancy experience for others. I want other women out there to know that, yes, they may be alone in their pregnancy, but they are not alone in their struggle.

From my soul-breaking family life to the ups and downs of my current life of motherhood, I've run the gamut of trials and tribulations. My son is the ultimate beautiful blessing. But, my goal is to turn all the negative before and around him into a positive. I aim to become a motivational speaker and lift others into the realm of hope. I survived. I want you to know that you can survive, too.

xoxo, Charlotte