SouthFlorida.com | Teen Link South Florida

Fabian Peguero was 16 when his first child was born. Now 17, he knows first-hand what it is like to be a father at a young age.

"My life before my child was very difficult," the McArthur High sophomore said. "I was always getting into trouble, fighting with my mom and my partner. I would always run away from home and stay from house to house. I didn't care about anything or anyone, [I was] failing in school and barely going."

But he said his situation forced him to grow up for the benefit for his son and partner, Krystal.

"I've changed my whole life around for my son by doing better in school because … I actually have a reason now to want to go to school."

Fabian is also looking for a job to support his family financially. "I receive lots of support from my family," he said. "Even though I try my hardest not to ask for anything, they still give and come to help."

Fabian still lives at home, but his life is very different.

"I did sacrifice my life as being a regular teenager and going out doing regular teenage activities. But I don't regret having my son," he said.

"I'm not going to lie and say it's easy," he said, "but I will say it's not as hard as everyone makes it seem like. You just have to have patience, personality, faith, a good support system.

"Some may not be lucky like I am to have a support system – someone to be there for me and to do things that I couldn't do, or buy things that I couldn't afford. But I believe that when something is set in your path, it's because you're able to do it. Even the most toughest things in life can be handled.

"Just keep in mind that everything happens for a reason, and you're no longer living for yourself but for one more person now. And any wrong thing you do to get in problems or situations that you shouldn't be in also affect your child, too.

"So don't be scared, just be ready."