A young mum who gave birth at 15 has become one of Britain’s youngest grandmothers - at the age of just 33.
Ruth Clayton was overjoyed after her daughter Rose - who she had in 2005 while still at school - welcomed her own daughter aged 18.
And support worker Ruth says she couldn’t be more delighted with granddaughter Cora and says she feels “lucky” to be a young grandmother.
Ruth said: “Once I knew Rose was serious about having this baby I was fully on board and so so excited.
“I met up with her boyfriend’s family. They were so amazing; they are the most amazing family.
“I was in tears watching her give birth - she was like a warrior.
“Seeing my daughter turn into an amazing mum is the best gift she could have given me.”
Speaking about Cora’s birth, Ruth, from Lincoln, said: “It was an amazing moment, Rose was so brave. To be a grandma at 33 means I will be around for such a long time. It is going to be amazing - I feel very lucky.”
Ruth fell pregnant with Rose when she was 14 and decided to have an abortion.
But on the way to the clinic she realised she couldn’t go through with it - which she now says was “the best decision ever”.
She gave birth to her daughter Rose - who weighed 7lbs 9oz - on May 17, 2005 at home. Then, last year in February 2022, Rose told Ruth she was pregnant when she was 17.
Rose, a full-time mum, gave birth to her daughter Cora - who weighed 6lbs 2oz - on September 2, 2022. And Ruth - who was aged 33 years and 184 days - admits to being in tears whilst Rose was giving birth.
She said: “It was an amazing moment, Rose was so brave.”
Speaking about Rose’s birth, Ruth said: “I arranged for an abortion but me and my friend got on the bus to Lincoln and I turned to her and said, ‘I can’t do it’. It was the best decision ever. I still got my GCSEs, went to college and everything was fine.”
Ruth admits she felt angry when she discovered her daughter was pregnant at such an early age.
She said: “I thought our world was falling apart. It makes me feel really bad now as Rose having a baby is the best thing that has ever happened. I wanted her to think about it as it is a life-changing decision. I told her as soon as I know she is 100% on board then I will support her completely.”
Cora is now eight months old and Ruth describes her as the most incredible little girl.
She said: “When Cora was born it was the most amazing thing. Life is just the most amazing thing, I feel like my world has come full circle.
“Cora is exactly like I was when I was a baby, she is extremely fussy and likes everything just so. It is a really exciting time as she has just started talking and she can now sit up.”
Ruth said she loves being a young grandma as she will be around to protect her and give her the best life.
She said: “I am going to be around to make sure nobody hurts her and that is something that brings me peace at night.
“I want her to have the best life.”
And new mum Rose added: “Motherhood hasn’t been the challenge people said it would be at all.
“I had never even changed a nappy before having Cora.
“Being a mum has taught me to be organised and not just think of my own needs. I’m loving being a mum.”
