A Child Raising a Child: AJ Raval Gets Candid About Being a Mom at 17
AN RAVAL – Actress AJ Raval stirred emotions online after sharing a deeply personal reflection about becoming a mother at just 17 years old while celebrating her daughter’s birthday.
AJ Raval recently marked a deeply personal milestone as she celebrated the birthday of her eldest child with a heartfelt reflection on early motherhood. Earlier this week, AJ commemorated the eighth birthday of her daughter Ariane, whom she fondly calls Yanna, by sharing a series of photos on Instagram.
The images captured different chapters of Yanna’s life, from her days as a baby to her early toddler years and her first steps into primary school. Alongside the photos, AJ opened up about the realities of becoming a mother at a very young age, recalling how she herself was still growing and learning when she welcomed her first child.
“I was 17, scared, broke, and trying to figure out how to be a mom when I still felt like a kid myself,” AJ said. “Sometimes it honestly felt like a child raising a child. We argued, we cried, we struggled, and there were moments when life felt too heavy for both of us.”
The actress shared that at the time, she had no money, no stable source of income, and no permanent place to call home. “Just two girls trying to survive in a world that wasn’t built to make it easy for us,” she added. AJ also recalled a period when she and Yanna lived in a small P5,000 apartment with barely enough space or belongings after she gave birth in a lying-in clinic.
There were moments when AJ longed for the comfort and security of her parents, including her father, actor Jeric Raval. However, she admitted that pride and fear held her back. “I didn’t want to feel like I was failing or asking for too much. So I held it all in,” she continued.
Despite the hardships, AJ emphasized perseverance and gratitude. “We did it. We kept going even when it felt impossible,” she said, crediting her daughter as her source of strength. “You were small, but you saved me in big ways. Your tiny hands and loud little voice reminded me that I had something worth fighting for. You’re a blessing I never knew I needed, but the greatest one I ever received.”
Now 25, AJ described Yanna as smart, strong, funny, wild, and beautiful, calling her “everything I dreamed you’d be and more.” “When I look at you, I don’t just see my daughter. I see my survival. I see my growth. I see the reason I learned how to fight, love, and rebuild my life,” she said, addressing the child who “turned struggle into strength.”
“We made it through the hardest parts, and I promise the rest of your story will be filled with warmth, love, and a home built from everything we’ve survived,” AJ concluded.
Last month, AJ confirmed that she has given birth to five children, one of whom has passed away. Her three youngest children are with her current partner, Aljur Abrenica: a daughter named Aikena and two sons, Aljur Jr. and Abraham.
READ ALSO: Aljur Abrenica Relieved After AJ Raval Revealed The Truth