Australia's youngest parents: The teens with two children aged under two
Raising two children under the age of two is hard enough for any parent, but doing it while barely out of childhood yourself makes the job a lot harder.
But 16-year-old couple Mollie Syrigos and her boyfriend Oscar Wilks, labelled Australia's youngest parents, are proving their critics wrong by making teen parenthood work.
The couple met when they were both 12 and became pregnant with their first child Theodore just over a year later, when he was born in March 2016.
The Melbourne teens now have two children under two years old, including new baby girl, Delilah Lilli.
"Even when I repeat it back to myself it's gobsmacking. I used to look down at people before I had Theodore, like teenage mums,” Mollie told Today Tonight.
"It was shocking and now I'm one and it's even more shocking."
Her partner agreed, saying: "I'm fine with it now. It's a lot of getting used to though."
Today Tonight first met them when they had just had their first child, Theodore. At the time, both parents were still coming to terms with having a child, not being out of childhood really themselves, having just started high school.
They've been forced to grow up very, very quickly, now living in their own home, paying their own bills.
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Oscar is an apprentice carpenter, baby Theodore is approaching his second birthday, and Mollie has baby number two to care for.
The teen dad said learning to cook, clean and look after a child all at the same time was a steep learning curve.
Mollie’s life and daily routine is now dictated by two little ones.
“We can't go the movies like typical teenage couples would. We barely get to watch a movie at home, let alone go out to watch one… but I wouldn't change it.”
Her partner agreed, saying there are nights they wished they could just go out do what they pleased, but added: “We can't and that's life and that's okay."
While they're determined to raise a family on their own, Mollie's Mum is just a phone call away.
Mollie admitted she was conscious of people making judgements at teen parents, but tries to brush it off.
“It might not be for everyone, obviously not for everyone, but it can be done,” she said.
Despite criticism over their age, and Mollie’s family insisting she abort her first child, the couple was determined to sticking together and raising a family together.
"I never contemplated abortion or adoption even.
"My family was adamant on me getting an abortion and that was really traumatising for me - having to go through all that and not having a voice in such a life-changing thing."
Psychologist and parenting specialist Doctor Michael Carr-Gregg believes teen parents like Mollie and Oscar must try to finish their education, even while juggling two babies.
“That is absolutely critical. If it is at all possible try and combine education and child care together. It is tough but it is possible,” he told Today Tonight.
While marriage is on the cards, the couple want to wait until they build a nest egg to have a full wedding.
