Crystal Scarborough, a former career coach and certified life coach now pursuing a master’s in therapy, to discuss her story as a young parent. Crystal shares becoming “parentified” around age eight while her nurse mother worked and stepfathers entered the home, and how losing childhood freedom contributed to overwhelm and anxiety in adulthood. She describes a rape-related abortion at 14, having her first child at 15, placing another child for adoption, and later having the son who is living. Crystal explains marrying at 16, later becoming a single mom after her husband’s death in 2004, and credits the Margaret Hudson program with education, counseling, daycare support, and helping her graduate early. She discusses stigma, the need for ongoing open conversations, and advises young parents to seek support, journal, pray, and get wise counsel with boundaries.