EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: 16 And Pregnant's Christinna -- 'My Biggest Challenge Is My Relationship With Isiah'

Radar: How are you doing as a new mom?

Christinna: "I think I'm doing very well for a first time mother. Luckily, Destiny is a good baby, but she's a hand full sometimes now that she's walking. It seems like she learns something new each day. It's hard to multi-task between being a mom and a full time student, but I love being Destiny's mommy so it's all worth it!"

Radar: Is being a mother what you expected?

Christinna: "Surprisingly, yes. I read every single book I could possibly find about motherhood while I was pregnant, and it prepared me a lot. I was also the oldest out of all my brothers and sisters so I had experience with babies and young children. I think educating yourself and being realistic is the best thing you can do to prepare yourself for being a new mom. Reading helped me know what to expect to happen while raising a baby."

Radar: What has been your biggest challenge?

Chrstinna: "My biggest challenge was my relationship with Isiah. I spent months debating on whether to leave him or not. I wanted to make sure that my decision was in Destiny's best interest and that I was setting the best example possible for her. I didn't want Destiny to grow up and think that getting a divorce was acceptable, BUT I didn't want Destiny to grow up and think that our marriage was how her marriage should be either. It was hard to leave Isiah, but I am happy with the choice I made because I know that it was in Destiny's best interest."

Radar: How do you juggle the baby, school and work?

Christinna: "Well, I don't work so I only have to juggle Destiny and school. I have made school my job and I'm focused on getting my degree. It is extremely hard to do well in school and be a good mom, but now that I've moved back to New York, I have a lot more support. My mom helps me watch Destiny while I'm at school and when I need to do homework or study. Destiny makes it very difficult to do anything that doesn't revolve around her, so I don't know what I'd do without my mom!"

Radar: Tell us a typical day in your life?

Christina: "I set my alarm for 7:15 a.m. for school but I usually don't get out of bed until around 8 a.m. I shower and get ready, feed Destiny and then I leave for my 9:30 am English class. After my English class is over, I go back home, feed Destiny and then rush back to school for my History and Biology class. By the time I get home from school, its 4:15 p.m. and then I have to feed Destiny again, eat dinner and play with Destiny and relax. At around 8 p.m., I try to calm Destiny down and get her ready for bed. If and when Destiny goes to sleep, I try to get on my school's website to do my daily work for my two online classes."

Radar: If you didn't have a child, what might you be doing now?

Christinna: "If I didn't have a child I would be doing the exact same thing as I am now minus Destiny. I would be going to school getting my degree but I would probably live in the dorms on campus."

Radar: Who has been your biggest supporter through this experience?

Christinna: "My mom has definitely been my biggest supporter. My friends helped me a lot too, but my mom has always been there for me no matter what. My mom always encourages me to stay strong and reminds me that I can get through anything if I put my trust in God. Sometimes I get discouraged with all the trials and tribulations that come along with being a single teen parent. My mom reminds me that I can be a good mom, no matter how young I am."

Radar: Have you remained close with your high school friends?

Christinna: "I'm still close to all my real friends, especially now that I'm back in New York. All of my friends love Destiny, and they are still just as much a part of my life as they were before I had a baby."

Radar: Do you think you will have more children? If yes, how long do you feel you will wait?

Christinna: "Yes, I definitely want more children. I plan on waiting until I have graduated from college and established a career before I have any more children. I think it would be unfair to Destiny and the new baby to have another child too soon." 

Radar: What are your goals for the future?

Christinna: "I want to obtain my Masters Degree and establish a career for myself. I want to buy a house in a good neighborhood and school district and find a good church to raise Destiny in. I also want to have more children because I love being a mother. I want to find a good husband, who also has a career and shares the same values that I do and someone to be a father to Destiny since Isiah has unfortunately chosen not to be a part of Destiny's life. Even if I do not remarry, I just want to be successful so I can give Destiny the best life I possibly can."