SEO: Lorrie Tyson overcomes struggle of single-parenthood

Lorrie Tyson attended Tustin High School in Tustin Calif. Looking forward to college and her teenage years, an unexpected event forces Tyson to mature faster than she expected. During Tysons junior year of high school, she got pregnant. Not only was she struggling to keep her grades up for Cal State Fullerton, she was now about to graduate high school with a 1-year-old son.

Lorrie Tyson comes full circle after being a teenage parent

Tyson has found success after struggling to take care of her child at 17 After moving from place to place for so long, a young girl and daughter of a naval officer finally found stability in California. Enjoying her new home, Lorrie Tyson relished all aspects of youth in Calif. She found young love, and looked forward to the independence of her upcoming college years. Unfortunately, her life changed one Thursday afternoon of her junior year of high school when Tyson received news that drastically shift everything. Only 17 years old, Tyson waited patiently for the tiny pink plus or blue minus to display on the pregnancy test. It was the scariest three minutes of my life, she said. Having the thought of being responsible for someone else and all of my plans changing dramatically in a matter of moments was very frightening.
Tyson and Jaylen spent a lot of time together in between Tysons classes Photo by Linda Smith

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Tyson Mainbar, p. 2 A scary decision With a year and a half left of high school, Tyson had a lot of living to do before she could handle raising a child. I was still a kid myself, I had no business raising a baby at that time, she said. Because Tyson and the father of the child, Ehi, were so young, they decided to tell their parents together that Tyson was pregnant.

Meet Jaylen Thompson

Favorite Color: Red Favorite Sport: Basketball Major: Communication Hobbies: Production One word to describe your Mother: Dedicated

This was a huge turning point in my life, because they wanted me to [abort] the baby, she said. Tyson said that their parents thought that a baby would ruin her future and would hinder her going to college and starting her own life. Tyson described this experience as such a hard time, because she had to make a decision that would change her life forever. The thought of taking a life that she helped create was one that Tyson said she couldnt bear. Even though I knew it was going to be hard, I went against

my parents and I kept the baby, she said. This decision resulted in a huge adjustment for Tyson and the people in her life. Single parenting Tyson is among many teenage single mothers that face the struggles of not only everyday life, but juggling school, working toward stability and raising a young child at a young age. Jaylen Thompson was born July 26, 1993 in La Palma California to Tyson Ehi Thompson. (more)

Tyson Mainbar, p. 3 Overwhelmed with the pressures of teenage parenthood and his familys threat of shunning him, Thompson left Tyson and their young son on their own. Being a single mother made me stronger, but made my role a little harder because I had to be both the mother and father to Jaylen before I met my husband. Despite the struggle, Tyson was determined to make everything work and to establish a comfortable lifestyle for her and her son. Although Thompson left, Tyson and Jaylen werent alone. Tysons parents were a huge support for
Linda Smith helped support her daughter and her grandson in any way that she could. Photo by Greg Smith

her and Jaylen. Linda Smith, Tysons mother, explains that although originally they werent supportive of Tyson having a baby, they did what they had to do to take care of their grandson when he arrived. It was the right thing to do. I had to support my daughters decisions, but also encourage her success and to make sure she didnt fall victim to the trend of teenage mother behavior, Smith said. A comfortable life Tyson graduated from California State Fullerton in five years with a degree in criminal justice. I wanted to be a crime scene investigator, but having a child, I had to get a practical job to ensure income, Tyson said.

(more) Tyson Mainbar, p. 4 After graduating, Tyson worked with AAA until she applied and received a job with the United States Investigation Services (USIS) and is now one of the leading USIS investigators. Tyson has two more children, a boy and a girl, and married to her college boyfriend, Wyki Tyson. Looking back on my experience, I am grateful for where I am now because I am in a place where I can provide for my three children without struggle or the need of assistance, she said. Tyson said that the path she took isnt one she would have chosen, but wouldnt trade the
Tyson says she is proud that she graduated high school and college with Jaylen in her life. Photo by Linda Smith

lessons she learned from her experience. Tyson now instills values and morals in her children so that they can have an easier childhood than she

did. Jaylen is an honor student at the University of Maryland and working toward graduate school. Tyson said that she wants them to learn from her past and to use the drive and responsibility that her experiences taught her and apply them to their own lives. ###