The Joys of Being a Teenage Parent

Most teenagers don’t know what they are getting themselves into when they find out that they are having baby.  No wonder their parents react the way they do when they find out, they have been there and know just how hard it can be. (By teenparentingmagazine )

But teenagers are invincible and can deal with anything that is thrown their way, isn’t that right?  After all it’s only a little baby; surely it will fit into your life without any problems.

The realisation will hit you soon enough that it’s not going to be as easy as your first thought.  There are many trials and tribulations that come hand in hand with parenting that you are simply not aware off before entering into parenthood.

Firstly, there are the sleepless nights.  Sure it can’t be that bad right?? Wrong, when you have been having sleepless nights for an extended period of time it can affect feelings, your thoughts, and even your parenting skills.  As a teenager you need to get as much sleep as you can so if you have a baby that is keeping you up night after night, perhaps you need to seek help.  If there is a family member that could help with the baby for a night every now and then it will do you the world of good.  If you can’t get help for a full night, maybe you can have someone look after the baby for a few hours during the day so you can get some rest.

Many newborn babies have the whole day and night thing around the wrong way.  They will sleep most of the day and be awake most of the night.  Try to get some sleep during the day while the baby is asleep.  You need to be well rested to keep up with the demands of your new baby.

Secondly, there is the lack of social life.  You may have thought that you could just take your baby along with you and continue your social life as it was before you had a baby, but it doesn’t quite work like that. 

Some social occasions are just not appropriate to take babies to and many of your friends will still want to attend these occasions even though you may not be able to.  Often as a teenage single parent you may lose many of your friends as your life has taken on a new path while theirs has continued down the same old path.

But that doesn’t mean that you need to be alone.  There are many other teenage parents that are in the same situation as you are.  Go out and meet other young parents that you now have something in common with; you will make new friends as your life takes on this new path.

Thirdly, there is this great responsibility that you now have.  The reality of having a baby is a lot different than the expectations of having one.  You are responsible for this young life.  You are the one that will make the decisions for your baby.  The responsibilities of being a parent are huge and at times can be very stressful.  You need to take care of your baby when he is ill.  Seeing your child sick can be very painful and very stressful.  While you may have support of family members or friends, it is you who feels your child’s pain.

So when comes the bit about the joys of parenting?  The joys come in the little things like the feeling you get when your baby first smiles at you.  When you hold that tiny hand of your newborn will give you joy you have never felt before.  Things like watching your child take his first steps and say his first words.

There are too many joys that come with parenting to mention.  Being a teenage parent may have its difficult moments, but those moments of joy make it all worthwhile.

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The Joys of Being a Teenage Parent

Teenage Parents are More Accepted in Todays Society

Teen parents are a lot more common than they were 20 or 30 years ago and the number of teenage parents is on the rise.  Teenage parents are much more accepted these days than they once were, so is that the reason why there are so many more of them? (By teenparentingmagazine )

20 years ago a teenage mother was a scandal and single parents of teenagers who fell pregnant would take it upon themselves to make sure that their teenager didn’t cause them a scandal that would ruin their reputation.

Often the teenager themselves had no say in deciding the outcome of their pregnancy.  In many cases the ‘soon to be grandparents’ would expect their daughter to marry the babies father and would do everything in their power to make sure that it happened.  Some fathers of the bride would actually stand over the groom with a loaded shotgun, which was where they got the term ‘shotgun wedding’.

If a wedding is just not going to happen, the next option was to send the young teenager to a remote location where nobody knows her.  She would give birth to the baby anonymously and the baby would usually be given up for adoption for a reputable family to raise as their own.  In this scenario the teen parents usually didn’t even get to see their baby.

The last option was abortion, which for many was the easiest option which solved the whole problem quickly and easily and no-one would ever know about it.

In any case, the fact was that 20 years ago teenage parents were not able to keep and raise their babies as their own.  For many young mothers this is something that they would live with for the rest of their lives, especially in the event of their baby having been adopted out.  A mother will never be able to forget her baby and will often wonder where her child is and whether they have had a good and happy life.

In today’s society the options are much the same but the teenager has much more say in the decision.  Abortions are much safer now than they were many years ago and is the option many teens will take.

Adoption still happens but it is usually the teenager that makes that decision.  It is a decision that they will take their time in making and may even get to choose the parents that their baby will go to.

Marriage is still a good option but it is not forced upon teenagers today.  In the long term if the teenage couple are not in love and do not see themselves as spending the rest of their lives together, then it is probably better that they don’t marry.  The baby’s father can still be involved in the baby’s life even without the parents being married.  The important thing is that both parents love and take care of the baby.

Teenage parents are more accepted these days and even if that may be the reason that teen parenting is on the rise, it is also the reason that teen parents get a fairer go in deciding their own future and the future of their child.

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Teenage Parents are More Accepted in Todays Society

Statistics of Teen Parenting class

Despite the number of birth control methods available, along with the widely available sex education offered in schools, statistics show that the number of teen parents is still on the rise. (By teenparentingmagazine )

Teen parents are much more accepted in today’s society than they were 20 years ago and although in this respect teenage parenting is much easier these days, it is still not an easy job.

Statistics also show that teenage parents as well as their child are both disadvantaged in other ways, such as education, finances and health.

Pregnancy for teenagers has higher health risks than pregnancy for older women.  These risks include pregnancy related high blood pressure, underweight birth, premature delivery, and anaemia.  The reason that teenagers have a higher risk in these areas is that most teenagers don’t have the prenatal care that they need.  The statistics show that 40% of teenagers during pregnancy didn’t receive the appropriate care needed which resulted in their babies being born with poor health.

Educational statistics are not that good for teenage parents either.  Although it is more socially acceptable for teenage mothers to continue their schooling, statistics show that around 80% of them drop out of school early.  Only 50% of teenage parents who had their babies in their early teenage years will finish high school before they reach the age of thirty.

Unfortunately as a result of these teen parents not receiving a good education is that their children will tend to have lower cognitive development than other children of the same age.  They are also more likely to become high school drop outs themselves and will not have very high life goals. 

There is also a good chance that these children will also engage in sex at a very early age and will possibly follow in their parent’s footsteps and become teenage parents themselves.

By not receiving a good education, teenage parents will have much more difficulty in finding good, secure employment.  Statistics show that teenage mothers will earn half as much in their jobs as women that have children over the age of 20 and have had a good education.  Also, many teenage mothers that have not continued with their schooling will have to rely on government assistance to survive.

Although if you are a single teenage mother you should be receiving child support from the child’s father, however, if the father is also a teenager it is also just as important for him to continue his education so that he can find good employment to support his child.

Having the support of your own parents can make a huge difference in raising your baby, especially if they are able to help out in looking after the baby while you continue your education.  Even though you are a parent yourself, you are still your parent’s child and most parents want what is best for their children and will be happy to support and help you as much as they can.

If you don’t have family support you don’t have to feel alone.  There are many organizations and support groups out there to help you.

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Statistics of Teen Parenting class

Is Your Teenage A Parent?

It can be devastating for a parent to find out that they are going to be a grandparent even though their own child is only a teenager. (By teenparentingmagazine )

Parents want what is best for their children which usually includes a good education which will allow them to have good employment opportunities.  So when you find out that your teenager is having a baby, all those dreams are gone.

You will be concerned that your child will not even finish high school let alone attend university.  You will be concerned that your child will miss out on the fun times of being a teenage parent.  You will be concerned that your child is going to take on such a huge responsibility.

Is your teenager really ready to be a parent?

Regardless of whether they are ready or not, it is happening and other than opting for an abortion, there is nothing that can change that.  Even though you may not think your teenager is ready to be a parent, when that parental instinct kicks in they will be ready.

But facts are facts and the fact here is that your teenager is taking on a huge responsibility that for many teenagers does mean dropping out of school.

For your teenager to have the best chance at having a good future and giving your grandchild a good future, they will need a lot of support from you.

Even though it may be a huge shock when you first find out that you are going to be a grandparent, you will soon need to accept it and move on.  Let your teenager know that whatever decision they make that you will support them and help them as much as you can.

Particularly if you want your teenager to continue with their education, they will need someone to help take care of the baby while they attend school.  By taking care of the baby while your teen is at school will give you some quality time to spend with your grandchild and bond with them.

Parenting is hard at any age, which being a parent you would know, but it is very hard for someone who is really still a child themselves.  Your teenager has a lot of responsibility now and they have big and hard decisions to make, not only about their future but also about the future of their child.

If there was ever a time in their lives that they need the guidance of their parents it is now.  You have the experience and the knowledge that they don’t yet have and your support and help at this time in their lives can be very important.

Be careful not to take over and try to make all the decisions for your teenager.  You need to always remember that this is their baby and that ultimately they are responsible for him, but let them know that if they do need your help that you will be there for them.

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Is Your Teenage A Parent