Teenage parents (mothers, specifically) get a lot of attention. Reality shows such as MTV’s Teen Mom depict the lives of overtaxed adolescents juggling bottles and homework, getting judgy looks at the grocery store and being stuck at home changing diapers as they watch their friends on Snapchat living wild and free.

But what happens once those babies are no longer babies? How does life change as the kids grow up?

Redditor scaredofAdebisi wondered about this, posting in the Ask Reddit community: “Those who had babies in their teens, what’s it like being in your 30s and having teenage kids?”

Young parents who’ve been there shared their stories. While they faced challenges, no doubt, most reported that in the end, things turned out okay—great, even.

Here’s what we learned about (former) teen parents:

They always feel like they’re “in between”—”ahead” of their peers, but so much younger than all the other parents they meet.

The other parents often seem more established and successful as they’re in a different stage of their careers.

It can feel isolating.

They have to sacrifice a lot. Sometimes, their kids get to go to college before they do.

But there are many upsides to being a young parent. They’re relatively in the know when it comes to things like music, pop culture and technology. (Of course, they’ll still never be completely “cool” to their kids.)

And things get easier. They get to watch their friends in the madness of babyland and say, “Been there, done that.”

They can also play mind games with people.

The mistakes that they’ve made and challenges they’ve endured can be the source of profound teaching moments.

It can be a gift to have several generations alive at once.

And being empty nesters in your 40s? A little sad, but mostly amazing. Time to relax and travel!

See the full discussion in the original Reddit thread.