MTV’s Catelynn sits down with happyhourmom | exclusive interview

As you all know, I have become a huge fan of MTV’s Teen Mom, and it is primarily due to the emotion and honesty expressed in the first story I watched on Sixteen and Pregnant. That would be the story of Catelynn and Tyler. The two of them chose to put their baby, Carly, up for adoption and I instantly fell in love with them after watching how they handled their decision. It was truly an honor to be given the opportunity to interview Catelynn for Happy Hour Mom, and I am excited to share our Q&A with all of you:

HHM: Did you expect your story to get such a huge response from the viewers?

Catelynn: I wasn’t really sure how people were going to take mine and Tyler’s story, because I know that some people are–there are some people out there that are against adoption and, like, think that you should keep your family. And then there are some people that are for adoption, but me and Tyler got really really awesome people with awesome support.

HHM: What made you decide on an open adoption, and do think it adds to the difficulty when you get to see Carly and watch her grow up with another family?

Catelynn: Actually, I think that me and Tyler having an open adoption has helped us to heal. You know, the pain of placing your children with somebody, because I get to see where she’s at, how they take care of her, how she’s so happy with them and if anything it makes me heal more because I get to see her and exactly how she’s being raised and morals that she’s being taught. So if anything it helps you heal more because it’s kind of like you’re a fly on the wall watching everything.

HHM: So when you found out you were pregnant, what were your initial reactions? Did you know immediately that you would consider adoption?

Catelynn: At first, I mean, me and Tyler didn’t know what we were going to do. When I first found out we were kind of like going for parenting. Tyler was all excited, I was excited, and so–we went through all the options.

HHM: So when you started considering adoption, how did you find the agency you chose to work with?

Catelynn: Well, actually the only reason why I really knew more about adoption is because of Tyler’s sister. Before I got pregnant, she got pregnant and was thinking about adoption for her daughter. She went all the way through with it and I knew about that [adoption] because of her… She went all the way into the hospital ready for adoption but didn’t go through with it.

HHM: Did that make you a little nervous as you approached the due date- was that in the back of your mind? Did you question whether or not you would be able to go through with it?

Catelynn: Well I was always preparing myself and telling myself, “Catelynn, remember the reasons why you’re doing this. Remember that you are doing it for her and you’re doing it so that she will have the past life that you can possibly give her at this time.” I mean, it was kind of a thought in the back of my head, that oh my gosh, I hope that I don’t get too attached, or I mean it was a scary thing, because I wasn’t totally, completely sure how I was going to feel at that exact moment. But the thing was though, that once I held her in my arms and I actually saw that–you know it is right then and there that there is really a baby.

HHM: Did you have the option all the way to the end to change your mind about the adoption altogether?

Catelynn: Oh yes. Yeah nobody forces you into doing it. I mean I didn’t have to do it. Even after I signed my rights off I had a few days if I wanted to get her back.

HHM: First off, after watching the show, have they honestly depicted your story in your opinion?

Catelynn: I would say it is 100% exactly how it all happened. I guess what they didn’t get, that I would really like people to know, is that I wasn’t just happy go lucky after I had my daughter, I stayed in bed and cried, and cried, and cried and didn’t want to do anything. They didn’t show that and I want people to know that it wasn’t like, she placed her daughter up for adoption and the next day was like, “Oh cool let’s go out and hang out with friends and, you know, stay up all night.”

…I actually fell into a deep state of depression. One of the biggest things that helped me was when I went to that Birthmoms retreat because after I came back there was a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. And then I started to see a psychiatrist and she really helped me too.

HHM: Do people criticize you and Tyler for considering yourselves a “Mom” and a “Dad?”

Catelynn: Yes I get people who say oh, you aren’t raising her.

HHM: How do you respond to that?

Catelynn: I always say we are her biological parents that gave her life, but we’re not the parents that are going to raise her. Carly is not going to know us as Mom and Dad obviously, she is going to know us as Catelynn and Tyler. The reason that I feel like Tyler and I are still parents is because we put our child before us 100% and if anything that’s what real parents do, they put their children before themselves.

HHM: We saw during the show that you didn’t have a lot of family support, did you get any support from anybody else in your lives?
Cateynn: No.  We were on our own. The only support that me and Tyler had was his mom. And that was the only person we could talk to, the only person we could cry on her shoulder to. She is like the number one person that was a major supporter. I love her to death.

HHM: Where are you at in your lives right now?

Catelynn: Well me and Tyler are both still in high school, and finishing and hoping to graduate in January of next year. So we are both still busy with school. After school I am going to college to be a nurse. I want to work in the maternity ward and deliver babies.

HHM: Have you talked about setting a date for your wedding?

Catelynn: Not until we are done with college.

HHM: Does Tyler still plan on going into the Airforce?

Catelynn: He kind of changed his mind about that. Now he wants to go to school to become a paramedic.

HHM: Do you talk about your plans for kids in the future?

Catelynn: We are definitely wanting kids in the future.

HHM: When was the last time you saw Carly? And when will you see her next?

Catelynn: This summer, we get to see her two or three times a year.

HHM: How do you think your live has changed for the show itself?

Catelynn: I think it has been great for us and the people who watch the show. Because people know more about adoption. And I can go on the Internet when I am sad, missing Carly, and I can go on the Internet and look at all of the people who are so supportive.

HHM: And everyone wants to know…Who met first, you and Tyler, or your parents?

Catelynn: Yes, me and Tyler did. Tyler’s dad came around and we were like, hey this is Catelynn’s mom, you should probably know her mom you know, and hey ended up dating and got married.

HHM: You mentioned in your sit-down with Dr. Drew that you and Tyler probably wouldn’t be together had you not gone through the adoption process with Carly. Why is that?

Catelynn: Yes, because I think that when you have a child so young it puts a lot of stress on the relationship. Plus I have no patience whatsoever.

HHM: How do you spend your Happy Hour

Catelynn: Going shopping. (Usually at TJ Maxx)

Thanks again Catelyyn, for taking the time to answer my questions, I wish both you and Tyler the very best!

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